badly swollen eyes

[Kate49a]

Hi - for quite a few years I suffered with allergic rhinitis, eyes would water , constant sneezing, itchy roof of mouth etc etc. various things sparked it - dust, car exhaust fumes,car air freshners, cut grass and for some reason private collection perfume. I was given neoclarityn , beconase and eye drops. This brought it under control and for the last few years I haven't had that. However about a year ago, whilst visiting a friend, I woke to an itchy eyelid, not much , just a little red patch and itchy. I thought I had been bitten in the night, it didn't amount to anything and cleared up. Several months later, it happened again - I woke to find a slight red patch on my eyelid which on standing up, literally filled up with fluid as I watched and just got bigger for a number of hours! Usually lasts all day and has almost gone down on day 2. This was then happening every few months or so and it could be one eye or the other. Doctors verdict, allergy, just more eye drops, nasal spray and tablets. We were on holidays a fortnight ago with an early morning flight, later that day I could feel almost a stiffness developing in my left eyelid, by the next morning the eye was up! Few days later , same week, we had a bit of a sand storm, thought I'd got a littel sand in my right eye, sure enough next morning right eye was up!
I am home almost 2 weeks now and yesterday got up with the itch, red patch and watched the right eye swell within minutes, actually it got a lot worse when I got in the shower. This morning I have woken up with the left eye up, really bad to the extent that I can hardly see this computer screen! I am now neally paranoid about what I eat and drink, just went to eat a banana and thought  - but I ate one of those yesterday - maybe it's bananas! I also use the aussie shampoo , wondering if its it, had a glass of red wine both nights! Use estee lauder mascara!!!! The list goes on! If anyone has had similair to this and has found something to help please let me know as it it driving me crazy! I can't work when it happens as it is so bad! All the doctors say is they can't do anything about it!

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, swollen eye indicates allergic conjunctivitis or angioedema. You have a positive history of allergy. This can be complicated by bacterial or viral infection.

Also swollen eyelids or face, esp. in early morning, are sign of kidney disorder. The renal disease (kidney) like nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, and renal failure can cause such symptoms. You need to undergo urine analysis, renal function tests and radio imaging of the kidneys to rule out the cause.

You need to keep track of things (maintain a diary) you were exposed to such as food, dust, pollen, irritant like shampoo, soap, cloths, drugs etc. and you should avoid further exposure.

If infection suspected, you need cleaning of eyes and antibiotic drops in eye against prescription. Allergic conjunctivitis needs antihistamines and also corticosteroids in severe cases.  

I suggest you to consult physician/allergy specialist for further evaluation without delay. Take care and regards.  

[flow1987]

Kate, I can relate because I suffer from Allergic Rhinitis, but it usually hits me harder during the change of the seasons. As we are transitioning into fall, allergies are going to be sky high again.

Sadly, the only treatment for eye allergies are anti-histamines and eyedrops. I use Pataday every day, and it helps with the itchy and burning symptoms. I think Pataday is more than just an anti-histamine, but I'm not sure, however, it does help, but it won't CURE it.

Something that flares up from stuff due to the environment is definitely, in my book, an allergy.