When your eyes are exposed to substances like pollen or mold spores, they may become red, itchy, and watery. These are symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is an eye inflammation caused by an allergic reaction to substances like pollen or mold spores.

The inside of your eyelids and the covering of your eyeball have a membrane called the conjunctiva. The conjunctiva is susceptible to irritation from allergens, especially during hay fever season. Allergic conjunctivitis is quite common. It’s your body’s reaction to substances it considers potentially harmful.

Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (allergic rhinoconjunctivitis)
Pollen is the most common allergen to cause conjunctivitis in countries that have cold winters (not near the equator).

If you get conjunctivitis from pollen you will probably have symptoms of hay fever, which includes sneezing, blocked or runny nose, itchy nose, and itchy and watery eyes. When the conjunctivitis occurs along with sneezing and blocked nose, etc., the whole thing is called hay fever.

This type of conjunctivitis is called seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (allergic rhinoconjunctivitis) because it almost exclusively occurs during the spring and summer months when plants, especially grass, trees, and flowers are in pollen. Some people even have symptoms during early autumn (fall).

Treatments for allergic conjunctivitis
Whatever the cause of the conjunctivitis may be, the following may help:
Contact lenses - do not wear them until symptoms have cleared up completely. If you have used any medication on the eye(s), wait 24 hours after treatment has ended before wearing contact lenses.

Rubbing the eyes - the less you rub your eyes the better. Rubbing the eyes may cause the inflammation to get worse. This is easier said than done - itchy eyes makes you want to rub them.

Bathing the eyes - use a flannel soaked in cold water. Some people say that immersing their face in clean warm water and opening the eyes help - others most definitely do not.

Avoid the allergen - if pollen levels are high stay indoors and close all windows. If you go out wear a wrap around your glasses or sunglasses. If your pillows have feathers, consider changing them for materials you know you are not allergic to. Steps to lower the number of dust mites in the home can sometimes control dust mite allergy.