Do Allergies Cause Watery Eyes?

Allergy sufferers, has this scenario ever happened to you? You’re trying to go about your day in a public place (like a grocery store, the bus, or even the gym) but suddenly feel compelled to convince other people that your red, watery eyes aren’t because you’re having a public meltdown — they’re allergy induced!

Red, itchy, watery eyes is a common allergy symptom, but why exactly does it happen? And are there any ways to find relief?

Why Do Allergies Cause Watery Eyes?

When our eyes react to something that irritates them (an allergen), they create a natural substance called histamine to fight off that allergen.

The histamine causes the eyelids and conjunctiva (the clear tissue covering the white part of the eye) to become swollen, red, itchy, and watery. So even though this symptom feels incredibly annoying, your eyes are actually trying to do you a favor!

Depending on what you’re personally allergic to, watery eyes can be caused by pollen, dust, pet dander, smoke, mold, and even certain cosmetics or perfumes.

How to Find Relief From Watery Eyes

There are a few ways to ease the severity of watery eyes (and seasonal allergy symptoms in general), including: staying indoors on windy days, changing into new clothes as soon as you come in from outside, keeping windows closed, and using an air filter in the rooms you spend the most time in. But if you’re looking for relief, you’re gonna want to turn to Flonase.

While some other allergy medications cannot relieve nasal congestion*, Flonase helps you treat your nasal allergy symptoms (including watery eyes) all at once¹. Plus, Flonase was the first over-the-counter nasal allergy spray indicated to offer 24-hour relief of both nose- and eye-related allergy symptoms.

So if you’re trying to avoid another “I’m not crying, honest!” moment the next time you leave the house during allergy season, make sure to include Flonase in your daily schedule.

*single-ingredient antihistamines
¹ vs single-ingredient antihistamines that do not treat nasal congestion