Is it allergy in my eyes

Every time i dust and clean i get asthma even though i were a mask and wet mop.  I recenlty did this and noticed the next day my left eye felt swollen and sore.  Can dust get in your eyes and cause inflamation (inflammation).  My eye is not eye or itcy.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

It looks like you are allergic to dust and dust mites which is responsible for causing air borne allergies as well swelling and congestion of the eyes.Yes dust can cause such symptoms in eyes.

For now you can take some over the counter antihistaminic like as Cetirizine(zyrtec) or Loratadine(Claritin) to get symptom relief. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.Also put topical antihistaminic or steroid eye drops after consulting an ophthalmologist as his prescription is required for these.

In future, to reduce dust in your home, remove drapes, feather pillows, upholstered furniture, non-washable comforters and soft toys. Replace carpets with linoleum or wood. Vacuum soft furniture and curtains as well as floor.Wash carpets and upholstery with special cleaners, such as benzyl benzoate or tannic acid spray. Wash all bedding in hot water (hotter than 130°F) every 7 to 10 days. Don't use mattress pads. Cover mattress and pillows with plastic covers and lower the humidity in your home.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.

[counseless]

As Im typing this my right eye is extremely swollen..i think they call it edema around the eye. Anyway, I dusted today and vacuumed..forget it, I look like someone punched me. Of coarse with my anxiety..im always thinking the worst. I take Optivar and it seems to help. I was on Patanol..which I find helped prevent my eye allergies as where Optivar I take when I get them. Try one of those. I have THE WORST allergies so, if it helps me it should help you. Those over the counter eye drops wont touch it. Hope this helps!