[2Bthinagain]

4 months ago something in the corner of my right eye started to itch, it was not IN my eye, rather on the skin between the eye and the nose -- more on the nose actually. It itched like CRAZY all night --
went to an eye Doc who said I had allergies -- Hmmm, at 43? And in just one eye?
I dismissed the thought.
Well now the other eye is itching -- so yes - 2 eyes itching could be a sign of allergies...
but can you ACQUIRE allergies at 43 years old?!?
We moved to Ohio 2 years ago and I heard that this area is the worst in the country for people with allergies --
Anyway - I sneeze all the time -- (annoying to me, and those around me).

My eyes also feel dry - is that why they itch? I am trying eye drops which help a little. Right now my eyes are SORE just from rubbing them so much.

Someone told me dry eye is a sign of thyroid (which I have) and menopause (which I have) and computer use (duh).

Sorry to be so winded -- should I have allergy testing? Or just start popping Claritan?

[cdawnfine]

I have very bad seasonal allergies along with dry eyes. You say you are using eye drops what kind. I use Naphcon A (not 100% sure on the spelling) you can get it over the counter at a drug store. I am thinking you are not using contacts. If you are disregard everything I say and go to your eye doctor so he can prescribe something that will not harm the contacts. If you do not wear contacts try those drops they should help a lot if you do not notice then add in the claritan I use claridan d that dries me out in the nose the regualar clairitan does nothing for me. If you still have symptoms go to see an allergist. You should see relief with in a day or two if not call the Dr.

[2Bthinagain]

Great thanks!! I wondered if I should start popping Clariton w/o having an allergy test. I was dreading a test!!!
I'll pick some up tomorrow.
No contacts here.....the type of drops I use are generic...I'll pick up the kind you suggested.
Thanks so much!!!

[Mom2QJandT]

My daughter and I take Claritan from the beginning of March until the first good freeze for the same symptoms. We live in central Indiana, so the environment probably isn't any different than Ohio. We go to Florida and both of us feel great the entire time we're there, then about the Indiana state line we both start getting congested again. I can't wait to retire to a warmer climate. Good luck!

[zenor77]

You can end up with allergies at any point in your life. Especially after moving to a new place (and yes, it can take a year or two to show up.)

I would go see an allergist about getting tested and either doing allergy shots or a homeopathic remedy that has the allergens for your area in it. I know it sounds counter intuitive, but injecting (or taking) the allergens in small doses will help your immune system build up a tolerance. You need to find out what you are allergic to first though.

In my opinion, over the counter and prescription allergy meds don't work. They never have for me at least.

[Violet]

The same thing happened to me recently, or something similar (it was at the corner of the eye, but like yours, outside the eye). I used the eye drops my mother uses for allergic conjunctivitis and those helped.

[QuilterInVA]

You can develop allergies at any age. It takes exposure to the allergen over time for the symptoms to develop. I had allergy testing in my 50s.

I have dry eye (thyroid, computer usage) and my eye doctor recommended Optive which is a moisturing dry eye solution. It works great. He said not to use eye drops for red eye.

[kaplods]

You can develop allergies at any age, and there are also "pseudo-allergies."

I have non-allergenic rhinitis, which is basically allergy symptoms when there is no allergy. My ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) specialist told me that when allergen counts are high enough in the environment, or a person's immune system is compromised in some way (I have autoimmune disease), even some people without allergies will have allergic symptoms. He said that different people had different tolerances for such environmental pollutants, and there's probably a point at which almost anyone (with or without true allergies) will respond as if they do (he gave the example of a barn or house filled with animals that has been neglected and feces and urine have accumulated - humane society workers saving animals from those situations as well as people called in to clean up such situations need to wear respirators).

Oddly enough, the medications for psuedo-allergies are the same as those for real allergies (usually some type of antihistamine).

Still, allergy tests would probably be a good idea (as well as a check-up to rule out other causes of the symptoms).

[Lizabeth2]

I didn't realize that thyroid could cause my itchy eyes. I use Seldane drops and they help. What I didn't know either is that if you have cataract surgery (DH) you can never rub your eyes again! I have the beginnings of cataracts and if I couldn't rub occasionally I would go crazy. No easy answer!

[Lizabeth2]

Please excuse my last post!!!! It isn't Seldane, it's Systane! eye drops. Another drop is Similason (homeopathic) and that is good too.

[Snappymuffin]

I get dry/itchy eyes from sitting in front of a computer screen for too long! This is also complicated by hayfever. Now it's March, it's the time to treating summer allergies with antihistamines.

Itchy eyes can also be a symptom associated with liver/gallbladder problems.

[FitSarah]

That's funny - I looked at this thread because of dry eyes...which I was diagnosed with "dry eye syndrome" and just today I went to the doctor for blood work - he thinks I may have diabetes or thyroid problems. I also was diagnosed with rosacea...maybe they all tie in together? Thyroid? Anyone else?

BTW, took Claritin too today, LOL...Claritin is the best thing for the seasonal allergies. Thank goodness it's OTC now - when I used to work in a pharmacy over 12 years ago it was Rx only!

Sarah

[darci]

My Optometrist started me on Restasis for dry eyes, and I didn't like it at all. If anything, my eyes felt drier and more irritated. Then I bought otc ThereaTears, and I like this one a lot.