Dust:
Though certain cities are grimier than others, nevertheless dust is everywhere. If you live in a particularly dusty city like Bangkok or Jakarta, wear sunglasses when you're out and about. They may not completely fend off dust particles, but at least they provide a shield between your eyes and the environmental elements. Choose sunglasses that wrap around the side of your face, to give further protection to the side of the eyes. To keep your eyes healthy, disposable daily contact lenses are your best and most hygienic option. With daily lenses it's easy to stop worrying about your eyes being irritated by dust and other airborne eye irritants because you get a fresh, clean pair everyday!
Airborne allergens:
Flower pollen may not be a common problem in Asia, but springtime in Australia and New Zealand can mean some serious allergy issues caused by pollen. It is an airborne allergen and as such, is hard to avoid. The same goes for mould and pet dander, which also can cause eye irritation like swollen, itchy and tearing eyes, and may even trigger conjunctivitis (pink eye). Here's an effective home remedy to get rid of pollen and other allergens. First, wash the pollen off your face. Then, use a warm wet washcloth to gently clean the eyelids and the eye area. Afterwards, splash warm water to rinse the eyes and apply a cold wet washcloth to the eyes. Keep your hair clean and away from your eyes - hair is a deathtrap for pollen. If you still feel discomfort, consult your eye doctor immediately.
Eye makeup:
If you're pretty sensitive to makeup, your eyes can swell up like a bug before you can say “eye shadow”. Remember to always thoroughly cleanse your eye area before slathering on your eye cream and hopping into bed. The best way to remove every last speck of stale makeup from your eyes is with pre-soaked makeup remover pads or cotton pads saturated with an oil-and-water based makeup remover.
Use hypoallergenic products if you're prone to makeup allergies. The labels will clearly state if it is so. And even the best of us can get blood-red eyes when annoyed by falling eye shadow particles and mascara flecks. The trick? Avoid loose powder shadows, glitter eye makeup and mascaras that tend to be too thick.
Hair:
So the bangs-in-the-eyes look is hot at the moment. But if your eyes are sensitive, the price you pay for fashion could be a minor eye allergy. Hair, especially the shorter segments like your bangs, can be a curtain trap for dust, dirt, grease, pollen and sebum - all allergy-causing elements which can irritate your eyes.
Besides, your bangs could cause annoying pimples to form on your upper face. Try pinning your fringe up, or sweeping it to the side. Keep your fringe squeaky clean by shampooing and blow-drying in the mornings.
Chemicals:
Certain chemicals are culprits for irritating the eyes. Aside from the industrial-strength chemicals, the fumes from certain household products like bleach and detergent can cause sensitive eyes to go red and itchy. Whenever possible, ventilate your home or office when using these chemicals.
Cigarette smoke:
You know it's bad for you in many ways, but did you realize that it can cause you to get dry eye syndrome? Cut down on the cigarettes - quit smoking, if possible - and steer clear of smoky pubs, bars and clubs. The trick is also to wear the most comfortable type of contact lenses possible. To keep your eyes as comfortable as possible, pick contact lenses which are very gentle on the eyes. If you are successful, you're likely to feel so comfortable in the smokiest and grittiest of environments, you'd hardly even notice the annoying smoke.
