Allergic Reactions to Glasses: 10 Tips for Skin Irritation

Reviewed By | Sharoon David, ECFMG-certified Medical Doctor and Clinical Research Manager in ophthalmology

Can your glasses give you an allergic reaction? Unfortunately, the answer is sometimes yes.

Glasses materials can occasionally cause a type of reaction called allergic contact dermatitis. It’s not common, but it may happen if you choose a frame material that is harsh on sensitive skin. These reactions can even occur due to irritating nose pads or ill-fitting frames. 

Today, we’ll explore the main causes of allergic reactions to glasses frames and help you figure out what to do if you think you’re experiencing one of these reactions yourself. 

Before we dive in, it’s worth mentioning that an allergic reaction can be a source for real concern. If you react to your glasses, it’s wise to consult your doctor and get their advice about how to move forward. A healthcare professional can give you personalized advice and take a closer look at your symptoms, giving you peace of mind and a plan to prevent repeat reactions.

What Are the Symptoms of an Allergy to Glasses Frames?

If you’re allergic to one of the materials in your frames, you might notice symptoms like itching, burning, dry and flaky skin, and even swelling. Your first reaction will most likely happen after your first time wearing your new pair of glasses, but it can take time to realize what’s going on — and that your frames are the cause.

While these allergic reactions usually primarily affect your skin, your frames might make your eyes uncomfortable as well. A reaction to eyeglass frames can make your eyes itchy, red, and swollen, and even cause increased light sensitivity. If you notice any of these symptoms, make sure to take your frames off and care for the affected area using gentle products. If you don’t find relief within a few hours, it’s time to talk to your doctor.

Why Might Glasses Cause Skin Irritation?

As you already know, glasses are made from all kinds of materials. You might have a pair of metal frames, a pair of plastic frames, and a pair made of wood that you swap out throughout the week. In addition to these primary materials, though, there are also often components on frames made from other materials like silicone and even nickel.

Nickel allergies are fairly common, and if your metal eyeglasses irritate your skin, some nickel in the metal might be the cause. This is just one of the reasons why we’re big fans of high-quality plastic frames.

What Are the Frames That Cause the Most Reactions?

If you have sensitive skin, we recommend steering clear of gold or silver-colored metal frames. The material used to make these frames often includes trace amounts of nickel, which, as we mentioned above, is a common cause of dermatitis in folks with sensitive skin.

In addition, titanium frames sometimes contain trace amounts of nickel as well. If you notice that your skin is blistering, getting discolored, or itching after wearing your metal frames, it’s time for a switch — and you might be allergic to nickel.

What Are Some Other Types of Frames To Try?

Metal is far from the only material used to make glasses! You have plenty of other options that have less potential to irritate your skin — and just as much potential to fit into your aesthetic.

• Cellulose Acetate: We often recommend plastic frames for folks who experience reactions to metal eyeglasses. Lightweight and available in plenty of colors, plastic is a super popular material for glasses at the moment. Our favorite form of plastic for eyewear is cellulose acetate, which is famously gentle on your skin.

• Propionate: This nylon-based plastic is ultra-strong and durable, and it’s often used to make sports glasses. It’s also technically hypoallergenic, which could be a big win for you if previous pairs of glasses have irritated your skin.

• Nylon: This form of plastic isn’t quite as popular as it used to be, as nylon frames tend to get brittle and fragile over time. However, an updated version like propionate or other nylon blends can last longer and look fantastic.

• Wood and Poly-Wood: Glasses frames made of wood (and made to look like they’re made from wood) are pretty popular, but they’re far from the most durable frames out there. They’re also not always particularly easy to adjust, which is a big deal for something you might wear daily. However, some folks prefer wooden frames for the style, which falls somewhere between tech startup founder and Portland barista.

If you experience an allergic reaction to your glasses, contact lenses are another option that might be worth considering — but it’s important to note that contacts sometimes cause reactions and irritation as well. 

In general, choosing a pair of glasses made from a hypoallergenic material like cellulose acetate may be a better option than switching to contacts, especially if eye irritation is a recurring problem for you.

Are Glasses Frames Allergies Dangerous?

We mentioned at the beginning of this post that it’s smart to talk to your doctor if you experience an allergic reaction to your spectacle frames. We stand by this recommendation — safety first.

However, don’t let the idea of a reaction to your glasses fill you with fear. These reactions are rare overall, and the symptoms are often mild and go away on their own. 

On the other hand, if you have very sensitive skin or a preexisting skin condition like eczema, your skin reaction might be more severe. This doesn’t mean that your allergy is life-threatening, but it might cause more painful and uncomfortable symptoms like lesions and blisters.

If your reaction causes symptoms that don’t respond to treatment at home, make sure to call your doctor right away. In the meantime, taking over-the-counter antihistamines might help you mitigate some of the symptoms of the reaction.

10 Tips for Stopping Skin Irritation From Glasses

Thankfully, there are plenty of ways for glasses wearers to avoid skin irritation and reactions from their frames. 

Here are some of the quickest and simplest methods for reducing skin irritation around affected areas like the eyebrows and bridge of the nose.

1. Try Cellulose Acetate Frames

Cellulose acetate is an allergen-friendly material that won’t irritate sensitive skin. That’s why it’s our top recommendation if you’ve had reactions to frames in the past! Pair Eyewear frames are made from cellulose acetate, withour standard lenses are made of impact-resistant polycarbonate.This matchup makes our glasses durable, easy to wear, and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.

2. Moisturize

If you’re dealing with irritation from a previous pair of glasses, make sure you give your skin the hydration it needs. Dry, flaky skin often itches, and scratching an itchy patch of skin can make it harder to heal. A gentle, fragrance-free lotion will hydrate the irritated area and help your skin restore its natural protective barrier, freeing you up to enjoy a new pair of glasses that doesn’t turn your skin red.

An OTC anti-itch cream or ointment can also be helpful. However, any moisturizer or cream should only be applied to the skin around the eyes and should not be allowed to enter the eyes, as this can lead to eye irritation. 

3. Check for Signs of Dermatitis

Some reactions to eyeglass frames cause an uncomfortable condition called dermatitis, which is an acute form of skin irritation. Dermatitis usually looks like patches of swollen, discolored skin that feels itchy and irritated.

Dermatitis around your eyes is always a solid reason to visit your optometrist and your dermatologist. While you can find relief from the symptoms at home, it’s smart to loop in eye and skin specialists as you find the best long-term solution.

4. Try a Cool Compress

If your skin is itchy, swollen, and angry after an allergic reaction to eyeglass frames, a cool compress might help. The operative word here, though, is cool. Ice-cold water might irritate your inflamed skin even more, and heat definitely won’t do you any favors right now. Try running a clean cloth under some pleasantly cold water, wring out the excess, and let it rest on your eyes for a while.

5. Find Out If You Have Other Allergies

Your glasses might not be the culprit behind your irritated skin! Seasonal allergies, pet dander, and much more can all make the area around your eyes feel extremely itchy and even cause swelling at times. If switching your frames doesn’t give you the relief you need, it’s safe to say that the source of your struggles is another allergen or irritant.

One of the best ways to pinpoint the cause of an allergic reaction is to visit an allergist for a patch test. This safe form of allergy testing exposes you to very small amounts of common allergens through contact with small patches of skin (hence the name). By checking for visible signs of a reaction, your allergist can help you figure out what’s making the skin around your eyes so angry.

6. Avoid Scratching

As your irritated skin heals, it can be so tempting to scratch at the affected area. If you can resist the urge, you’ll be much better off. Scratching and itching can make your symptoms worse and even leave scarring in some cases. That’s why it’s worth it to do whatever you can to leave your skin alone while it heals.

If you need help with ditching the itch, take steps like trimming your nails, wearing gloves, or even covering the inflamed area with something clean and breathable.

7. Take Pictures

If you’ve ever had a rash (no shame, it happens to all of us), you know how important it can be to keep track of your healing progress with some pictures. That might sound a little silly, but it can be really difficult to tell if your skin is healing if you don’t have a point of reference. That’s why we recommend taking a selfie or two each day after a reaction to make sure that you see improvement.

It’s worth mentioning that dermatitis sometimes looks worse before healing, especially if you caved to the urge to itch and scratch. If so, you might notice some scabbing. As is the case with any rash, though, the best way to get relief fast is to avoid itching!

8. Be Careful With Makeup

Everybody wants to feel confident in their own skin, and makeup might be one of your favorite ways to express yourself and love the way you look. That’s normally totally fine, but it’s not always the right move when you’re recovering from an allergic reaction. The general rule is to skip the makeup until your skin heals.

We know how difficult this rule can be to follow, especially when you just want your skin to look and feel normal again. Still, makeup doesn’t do irritated skin any favors, and it can sometimes interfere with the healing process by irritating your skin even more.

Makeup sometimes causes allergic reactions as well. If your entire face is irritated, swollen, and itchy, it’s possible that one of the products in your beauty bag caused a reaction. This isn’t an uncommon occurrence at all, and rest assured that you can find makeup designed with sensitive skin in mind.

9. Take a Break From the Sun

If you’re dealing with irritated skin, direct sunlight might make your situation worse. As always, it’s best to put on some fragrance-free sunscreen as you recover, but staying out of the sun whenever you can will help you avoid further irritation.

Just like other skincare products, sunscreen is another potential culprit to look at when you deal with irritated skin. The ingredients in certain sunscreens — especially scents and dyes — can cause problems for sensitive skin, but they’re also easy to avoid by choosing the right brand.

10. Stay Hydrated

Whenever you’re recovering from a reaction that affects your skin, taking care of yourself is a must! One of the best ways to care for your skin (and your entire self) at any time is to drink plenty of fluids.

Getting enough water each day can help your skin stay hydrated, which can, in turn, keep the healing process running smoothly.

When To See a Doctor About Skin Irritation

Thankfully, allergic reactions to glasses don’t last forever. The symptoms typically only last for a few days, especially if you stick to an effective treatment regimen. However, if itching, swelling, and other symptoms linger for longer, it’s time to visit your doctor.

It’s also important to make sure that your reaction really is being caused by your glasses. If you have itchy, inflamed patches of skin on other parts of your body or are experiencing additional symptoms, call your doctor right away.

The Bottom Line

If your glasses are making your skin swollen and itchy, the first step is to take them off. After that, there are plenty of ways to find relief —including picking out a new pair of glasses that’s kinder to your skin!

Our frames are made from cellulose acetate, which is gentle on skin but tough enough to handle everyday wear. Plus, they’re incredibly customizable thanks to our base frame and top frame system. With a base starting at $60 and hundreds of tops to choose from, there’s never been a better way to express yourself with your glasses!

Pick your Pair today.

Sources:

Dermatological aspects of contact dermatitis from eyeglass frames and optical materials | NCBI

Perioral Dermatitis: Treatment, Symptoms & Causes | Cleveland Clinic

Dermatitis - Diagnosis and treatment | Mayo Clinic

Dietary water affects human skin hydration and biomechanics | PMC