Disclaimer [ENGLISH]
Disclaimer: This material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.
What are eye allergies?
- An allergic reaction in the eyes.
- 10% of children have eye allergies.
- They are not contagious. Your child can continue to go to school and activities.
What causes eye allergies?
- Any environmental allergen can get in your child’s eyes and cause symptoms. These include:
What are the symptoms of eye allergies?
- Red or pink eyes
- Itchy, stinging, or burning eyes. Your child might rub their eyes frequently.
- Watery eyes, increased tearing. Usually no discharge, but sometimes can have sticky/stringy drainage.
- The eyelids might be mildly pink or swollen.
- No fever.
- Your child might have other symptoms of allergies – such as stuffy or runny nose, coughing, sneezing, itchy nose or itchy ears. Learn more about allergies here.
How are eye allergies diagnosed?
- Your child’s healthcare provider will ask you questions about your child’s symptoms and exposures and perform a physical exam.
- Your child might be referred to a physician specializing in allergies who might do additional testing such as skin tests and/or blood tests.
How can I prevent eye allergies?
- Minimize exposure to things you know your child is allergic to.
- If you know they will be around something they are allergic to (like a pet), you can give your child their allergy medications ahead of time to help prevent or decrease their symptoms. Talk to your child’s provider if you have any questions about this.
- Wash allergens off your child’s face.
- You can use a wet washcloth to clean off the eyelids and face.
- Rinse the eyes with warm water. Your child’s tears will also remove allergens from the eyes.
- Allergens can become caught in your child’s hair. Wash your child’s hair frequently to remove them.
How is this treated?
Without medications
- You can use a wet washcloth to clean off the eyelids and face.
- Rinse the eyes with warm water. Your child’s tears will also remove allergens from the eyes.
- Apply a cool wet washcloth to help the itching.
- Contact lenses should not be worn until symptoms have resolved. After symptoms have resolved, use a new pair of contacts.
Oral allergy medications
Your child’s healthcare provider might recommend oral allergy medications, also called antihistamines.
Eye drops
- There are many eye drops available in stores without a prescription. They are not all safe or recommended for children. Please contact your child’s healthcare provider before using any of these medications.
- Your child’s healthcare provider might prescribe antihistamine, or anti-allergy, eye drops. Sometimes these are also available without a prescription. Please contact your child’s healthcare provider before using any of these medications.
When to call your child’s provider:
- Your child’s symptoms are not improving with consistent use of prescribed or over-the-counter medications.
- Your child has increased redness or swelling around their eyes.
- Your child is having eye pain, pain when they move their eyes, or vision change.
- Your child has fever.
- Your child is getting worse in some other way.
- You have other questions or concerns or think your child needs to be seen.
This publication was adapted from information from American Academy of Pediatrics patient education handouts.
Reviewed by: AR D.O., TT D.O. | 01/2024