Itchy Eyes: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Conditions That Can Cause Itchy Eyes

Allergies: the most common cause. Your eyes may react to something in the air outside your home or the office. These allergens can include pollen, dust, and other triggers that often lead people to ask, "What causes itchy eyes?" or "Why do eyes itch?" These eye-itching reasons may vary from person to person.

External substances: pollen from trees, grasses, weeds, and shrubs

Indoor substances: dust mites, fungi, moulds, and small pieces of animal skin (animal dander)

Substances of human origin: tobacco smoke, perfume, chemicals, and exhaust gases

Blepharitis: Eyelid inflammation causes red, itchy eyes and eyelashes due to blocked sebaceous glands. It's not contagious and rarely affects eyesight, but it may worsen with allergies or skin conditions like acne. Many people confuse this condition with other eye-itching conditions.

Dry Eye: Mucus, oils, water, and protein help fill your tears. You could get dry itchy eyes when you don't have the right amount. It can irritate your eyes and may require itchy eyes treatment like artificial tears or specific eye drops for itchy eyes.

Foreign Substance: A stable piece of sand or sand caught under the eyelid is sufficient. If antibiotic eye drops aren't helping a suspected infection, it may be dirt in your eyes. This is a common eye itching reason when irritation starts suddenly.

Contact Lenses: Sometimes, eyes may react to contacts as a foreign substance, often due to poor fit. This discomfort is noticeable right after insertion. Contacts can also trap debris or germs, leading to infections. Regular cleaning and replacement can help prevent issues and reduce itchy eye symptoms.

Corneal Ulcers: Doctors might call it keratitis. Dehydrated eyes, injury, or infection can lead to small sores or ulcers on the cornea. It's the clear lens that covers the front of your eye. They can irritate your eyes and cause pus and scabs, creating severe eye itching that need medical care.

Common Causes for Itchy Eyes

Allergic Conjunctivitis: This is the most common cause of itchy eyes. It happens when your eyes react to allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander, or mould. Many people search "what causes itchy eyes" because of seasonal flare-ups.

Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): An infection or inflammation the thin layer covering the white part of the eye. It can be viral, bacterial, or allergic. Itchy eyes are a common symptom, especially in allergic and viral types. People often wonder eye itching reason when discharge is present.

Eyelid Skin Conditions: Skin issues like eczema, rosacea, or seborrheic dermatitis affecting the eyelids can lead to itching around the eyes and contribute to eye itching reasons.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD): When the oil glands in your eyelids get blocked, it can lead to dry, itchy, or irritated eyes. It is a leading eye itching reason, especially in people with dry itchy eyes.

Seasonal Allergies (Hay Fever): This is triggered by pollen and typically affects the eyes and nose, causing watery, itchy eyes and sneezing. Many look for itchy eyes home remedy options during allergy season.

Chemical or Environmental Irritation: Exposure to smoke, chlorine in pools, strong perfumes, or pollution can inflame the eyes and cause itching. This is another situation where individuals seek eye drops for itchy eyes for relief.

What Are The Symptoms of Itchy Eyes?

Itching: A persistent or frequent itching sensation in or around the eyes can make you question why do eyes itch?

Redness: Eye redness or bloodshot appearance due to irritation or inflammation.

Tearing: Increased production of tears or watery eyes.

Swelling: Puffiness and swelling of the eyelids or surrounding areas.

Discharge: Clear, sticky or coloured discharge from the eyes, mainly if an infection occurs.

Burning Sensation: A burning or stinging feeling in the eyes often prompting people to look for itchy eyes treatment options.

When To Visit A Doctor?

Most cases of itchy eyes don't last very long and may even go away on their own. To be sure, see a doctor if:

• You feel there is something lodged in your eyes.
• An eye infection develops in the eye.
• Your vision starts to worsen and you become unable to see.
• Your itchy eyes turn into moderate to severe eye pain in eyes.
• If symptoms persist, a doctor may suggest eye drops for itchy eyes, medicated ointments, or treatments depending on the eye itching reasons.

How Are Itchy Eyes Diagnosed?

People with persistent itchy eyes at night should see an eye specialist to diagnose the cause of itchy, watery eyes, especially if they are unsure what causes itchy eyes or are experiencing repeated symptoms.

A doctor should begin by reviewing the person's medical history and symptoms. doctor may then perform a physical exam which includes checking the persons eyes and eyelids to understand the exact eye itching reasons.

If there is a discharge on the persons eyelids medic may take a sample of the discharge with a swab and send it to for lab analysis. If a doctor suspects an allergy is causing itchy eyes, they may do a patch test. They may also recommend a follow-up visit with an ophthalmologist to determine why do eyes itch in recurring cases.

Treatment and Management of Itchy Eyes

Symptoms of itchy eyes can sometimes be alleviated with artificial tears or allergy eye drops for itchy eyes. However, prescription eye drops or oral medications may be needed in many cases to relieve itchy eyes. Certain medications can also help you become less prone to itchy eyes treatment failures in the future, especially if the symptoms are due to seasonal allergies.

Applying a clean, cold, damp washcloth to your closed eyes can also help lessen the severity of itchy eyes.

The most effective treatments for itchy eyes directly attack the cause.

For example, if your symptoms are associated with dry itchy eyes, an allergy drop will be less effective for you than for someone whose itchy eyes are due to seasonal allergies.

For this reason, consulting your optician can be very helpful in determining the most effective remedy for itchy eyes.

Many types of drugs can help relieve itchy eyes, but only your optician will know which treatment or combination of treatments is best for your specific conditions.

In cases itchy eyes can be cured with artificial tears or allergy-itchy eye drops.

But in others, you may need an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory medication, or special eyelid cleansers to address the underlying eye itching reason.

Complications & Risk Factors of Itchy Eyes

If itchy eyes are left untreated the underlying issue may worsen and lead to avoidable complications.

Possible Complications

• Persistent itching that interferes with sleep and daily activities
• Worsening dryness, irritation or redness
• Secondary eye infections due to frequent rubbing
• Development of corneal scratches or abrasions
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Chronic allergic conjunctivitis
• Long-term damage to the corneal surface in severe, untreated cases

Risk Factors

• Exposure to allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander, and mould
• Dry environments or excessive screen use leading to reduced blinking
• Wearing old, damaged or unhygienic contact lenses
• Pre-existing conditions such as eczema,asthma, or seasonal allergies
• Smoking or exposure to chemical irritants
• Poor eye hygiene or use of expired eye makeup
• Family history of allergic reactions

Prevention and Lifestyle Change Tips for Itchy Eyes

Allergies, dryness or irritants commonly cause itchy eyes. Here's how to prevent them and reduce eye-itching triggers in daily life.

• Avoid allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander.
• Don't rub your eyes; it can make the itching worse.
• Keep your hands and face clean to avoid infection.
• Use sunglasses to protect from wind, smoke, and sunlight.
• Keep your eyes moist with artificial tears or a humidifier, especially if you often experience dry itchy eyes.
• Clean contact lenses correctly and replace them on time.
• Follow your doctor's advice if you have allergies or dry eyes.

Itchy Eye Home Remedies

Some home remedies that help in treating red and itchy eyes, especially for those searching for an itchy eyes home remedy:

The 20-20-20 rule

Spending too much time on a computer or doing other activities can cause eye strain and make your eyes itchy at night. People with itchy eyes can follow the 20-20-20 rule to reduce eye strain.

Every 20 minutes of computer work, people should look away from the screen and stare at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds allowing the eyes to relax.

Warm and Cool Compresses

A warm compress can help relieve itching from allergies, while a cold compress may soothe hot and swollen eyes both useful for itchy eyes treatment.

Keeping the Eye Area Clean

Dirt chemicals and makeup can all cause itchy eyes.your eyes clean at night can help relieve itching. First, a person may need to rinse the irritant from the eye with cold water to clean the eye area.

Rinsing the eyes gently with lukewarm water on a washcloth may be sufficient and may help reduce several eye itching reasons.

Using a Humidifier

Dry air can cause itchy eyes by drying them out. A humidifier, especially in winter or dry climates, can help alleviate this discomfort and prevent dry itchy eyes.

Discontinue Contact Lens Use

Wearing contact lenses can cause itchy eyes even at night. Some people may wear their contact lenses overnight leading to further itching.

Contact lens users who have itchy eyes at night might consider removing their contact lenses to give their eyes a break until the itching stops.

Also changing the type of contact lenses a person wears can help. A disposable contact lens can help prevent future eye irritation, leading to itchy eyes at night.

In addition, using eye irritation medicine can relieve and reduce discomfort caused by dry itchy eyes or allergies.

Avoid Allergens

People with allergies should avoid allergens that cause itchy eyes at night.

Sleeping with windows closed for example can help reduce exposure to pollen and other outdoor allergens that commonly trigger what causes itchy eyes.

Keeping pets in the bedroom can decrease people's exposure to dander at night.

Regularly dusting and changing the sheets can also help limit dust mites and lower eye itching reasons.