Red Itchy Eyes in Smog and Pollen Season: Rinse, Compress, Drops (Video)

Transcript

Did you know 250 ml of water can calm smog-filled eyes?

Did you know 250 ml of water can calm smog-filled eyes?

Red Eyes? Quick Relief

Stay tuned for the three-step routine that eases smog-induced irritation.

Why eyes burn

Your eyes meet the air directly, so fine smoke in smog settles on the watery surface and stings, while spring pollen triggers an allergic response that makes them itch and swell.

Rinse the dust out

Instead of a harsh tap stream, pour cooled boiled water or sterile saline over each eye, using a clean cup, after you come inside. Do it twice a day for best relief.

Boil water amount

Boil about 250 ml of water, let it cool until it feels just a touch cool on your wrist, then use it for rinsing.

Cold compress

A chilled, damp cotton cloth shrinks swollen vessels and calms itching. Place it on closed lids for five to ten minutes; a fridge-chilled spoon wrapped in cloth works too.

Compress time

Aim for about ten minutes of cooling; longer can be uncomfortable, shorter may not soothe enough.

Choose the right drops

Artificial tears wet a gritty, smog-irritated eye. Antihistamine drops block the itch signal during pollen season. Redness-relief drops shrink vessels but may rebound, so use sparingly.

Lenses on smog days

Masks trap particles, so on heavy smog or pollen days swap to glasses. Never rinse lenses in tap water; always keep them in fresh solution and remove at first sign of redness.

The one routine

Rinse, cool, and keep your hands off, most smog-related red eyes feel better with just these three steps.

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Read the full guide

The full guide is on thecareonline.com. General information only, so check with your doctor for your own case.