This is a sponsored post for VISINE® and The Motherhood, who sent me product and compensated me for my time. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spring and Fall used to be my favorite times of the year. They still SHOULD be. The changing of the seasons, with delectable temperatures and beautiful colors all around. The pinks and greens of Spring warm the heart after a long, grey winter. The burning oranges and reds of Autumn, signaling a welcome end to the dripping heat of Summer. We spend our time delightfully frolicking outdoors, rolling in the grass and breathing in the glorious nature-scents of the season.
And then I break out into hives and start wheezing.
Fact:
An estimated 50 million Americans suffer from allergies (which is approximately 1 in 5 Americans).
I'm pretty sure I account for, like, 99.9% of those stats.
My allergies developed when I was around 5 years old. One day we noticed, after sitting in the grass playing for a while, that I had an itchy, bumpy rash. Not long after, extended periods outdoors lead to prolonged fits of wheezing. Despite the fact that I was a robust kid, I started spending more time indoors to keep from being plagued with the frustrating symptoms I struggled with after playing outdoors. We consulted a doctor, who said I was just "allergic to the air."
Oh lovely.
I figured I was destined to become Steph: The Girl in the Plastic Bubble.
After a few years of managing the symptoms, we took the route of getting allergy shots, which made a world of difference. I could go outside and play again and visit friends who had cats and dogs (it was good to finally see my Nana again). Although it was helpful, I still struggle with allergies (seasonal and year-round). So I have an arsenal of medical weapons (including a nebulizer) to get through the rough patches, which I have affectionately dubbed, "When Pollen Attacks."
And now I have a new weapon in my defense against allergies: VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief Drops.
Like, Holy Hannah.
I love this stuff.
I've never thought to take eye drops before. I figured my assortment of inhalers and allergy pills would take care of ALL symptoms. But, I've hit points where my eyes find no relief despite my best efforts to placate the itchy fire. Thanks to eye allergies, I have dealt with some really gross ailments, including the white of my eye swelling.
Yeah. I told you. Gross.
I think it's because eye allergies happen when airborne allergens and other particles land directly on the surface of the eye, causing irritation and redness; subsequently, the body reacts to the substance by flooding the eyes with tears and mucus.
So it's a topical problem that can't always be addressed from the inside out. The eye drops go right to the heart (or, rather, eye) of the problem, fighting the allergens and particles at the source. VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief Eye Drops are clinically proven effective for eye allergy relief because they combine an antihistamine with a redness reliever to temporarily relieve eye itchiness and redness helping eyes get back to normal.Think you might have eye allergies? Here are some symptoms to consider:
- Itching
- Redness
- Tearing
- Swelling and puffiness of the eyelids
- “Foreign body sensation”
- Burning sensation
- Watery eyes
Sound familiar?
I was dubious at first, even though I was doing this as a blog review. How could eye drops make my eyes feel better? Don't I need medication for that?
Oh people.
The relief was immediate. Many of you know I've been packing boxes as we prepare to move. One day, I was packing a bunch of old moldy and dusty items. I must have touched my eye without washing my hand, because less than 15 minutes later, my eyes were red, watery, itchy and even painful. Things were deteriorating fast, but I remembered I had this bottle of VISINE®-A® Eye Drops, so I put a drop or two in each eye.
Magic.
It was magic.
Here are some great Allergy Tips from VISINE®
INDOORS:
- Wash linens and clothes regularly
- Keep windows shut to keep out pollen and other outdoor allergens
- Vacuum and dust often to reduce indoor allergens, such as dust and pet dander
- Run the air conditioner or air filter to sift out allergens. Make sure to keep those air filters clean and replace them regularly
- Put allergy proof covers on pillows, mattresses and comforters to ward off dust mites
OUTDOORS:
- Check the pollen count before going outside each day – pollen counts tend to be highest 5 - 10AM
- Shower after being outdoors to remove allergens that may have stuck to you. Use a sterile saline eye wash to flush allergens out of your eyes
- Do not hang laundry to dry outdoors because allergens can stick to the clothes
- Glasses and sunglasses act as a barrier or shield to minimize allergens from sticking to your eyes
- If you prefer to wear contact lenses, choose a daily disposable lens, which can minimize accumulation of allergens as well. Contact lens wearers can use VISINE®-A® Eye Allergy Relief, but need to remove contact lenses before use and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting contact lenses after using the drops
Pollen is still in full force, friends.
How will YOU battle the itchy, watery, puffy war against Eye Allergies?
