How To Treat Itchy Eyes: Symptoms, Causes, And Relief

Itchy eyes can be distracting and uncomfortable, making it difficult to carry out your daily activities and work efficiently. There are many different reasons why itchy eyes can occur, but no matter what the cause of your symptoms may be, you want relief fast.

If itchy eyes are making your days and nights uncomfortable, here’s how to treat itchy eyes.

Common Causes of Itchy Eyes

There are numerous causes of itchy eyes. The most common causes of itchy eyes include:

• Allergies
• Airborne irritants
• Infection
• Dry eye
• Eyestrain
• Contact lens use
• Blepharitis

Allergies

Allergies are by far the most common cause of itchy eyes. Allergies fall into two categories: seasonal allergies and perennial allergies.

Seasonal allergies are typically tied to plants that bloom and release pollen during certain seasons, often in the spring and fall. The best way to tell if you have seasonal allergies is to check and see if your itchy eyes typically occur at the same time each year and to note if you are experiencing other allergy symptoms, such as nasal congestion and sneezing, at the same time. If you are only experiencing itchy eyes and no other symptoms, or if your itchy eyes occur at random times of the year without a pattern, you may have an eye infection or another issue causing your itchy eyes.

Perennial allergies are tied to allergens that exist all year, including dust mites, pet dander, and mold. When caused by a perennial allergen, itchy eyes are most often tied to mold, dust and pet dander. However, you could also be allergic to products that you’re using in your home, such as contact lens solution, soap, or shampoo. If you feel confident that natural allergens like pet dander, dust, and mold are not the cause of your itchy eyes, try stopping the use of products that come in contact with your eyes for a few days or weeks and see if your symptoms improve.

Regardless of whether your itchy eyes are caused by seasonal or perennial allergies, the allergic reaction that occurs in your body is the same. When your immune system detects the presence of an allergen (the substance you are allergic to), it releases a compound called histamine, which produces an inflammatory response in the body. Itchy eyes are one of the most common signs that histamine is circulating in your system.

Airborne Irritants

Itchy eyes can also be caused by airborne irritants that get into your eyes. Common airborne irritants known to contribute to itchy eyes include smoke, different types of perfumes, and diesel exhaust. If you find that you experience itchy eyes when you come in contact with certain airborne irritants, your best bet is to avoid them.

Infection

Another common cause of itchy eyes is infection. Your eyes are constantly open and may come in contact with any number of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, all of which can cause infection that makes your eyes itch. Two of the most common types of eye infections known to cause itchy eyes include conjunctivitis and uveitis.

Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, is one of the most common types of eye infections. If your eyes are itchy, the white part of the eye has turned pink in color, and you are experiencing drainage from the infected eye, you may have pink eye. Conjunctivitis is extremely contagious and usually needs to be treated with antibiotics or possibly steroids.

Uveitis is an eye infection that causes inflammation of the iris, which is the part of your eye that has color. If your eyes are itchy, painful, and sensitive to light, you may have uveitis. Unlike conjunctivitis, uveitis is often treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops. However, it must be treated by a doctor, as if left untreated, it can cause significant vision loss.

Dry Eye

Itchy eyes can also occur as a result of dry eye. Our eyes produce tears in order to stay moist and refreshed. Tears are a combination of water, mucus, and oil, and if our eyes do not produce enough tears, they can become dry and itchy. Dry eye is characterized by a reduced production of tears and occurs more commonly as we age. Certain medical conditions, including diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause a decrease in tear production.

Certain medications can also cause dry eye, including:

• Antidepressants
• Medications that lower blood pressure
• Birth control pills
• Decongestants

Dry eye can also occur when you are in a windy or very dry environment, which causes the tears to evaporate more quickly than the eye can produce them. Indoor heating during the winter, particularly when your body is first adjusting to the use of indoor heat, can also contribute to dry eye. A blocked tear gland or tear duct can also create symptoms of dry or itchy eyes.

Eye Strain

Whether you work in front of a computer all day, try to read in a dimly lit room, or spend too much time in front of the tv, eye strain can occur, causing your eyes to feel itchy or tired. Similarly, if you are tired and are forcing yourself to stay awake or are driving for a long time, eye strain can occur. If you start to feel your eyes becoming tired and itchy while doing any of these activities, give your eyes a rest by taking some time to rest and close your eyes.

Contact Lens Use

Contact lenses are helpful tools that can help you see better without wearing glasses, but they can also cause eye irritation. If you keep your contact lenses in for too long or do not regularly replace your lenses as directed (such as daily or weekly), itching and redness can occur. Make sure to follow your doctor’s advice about how to care for your contact lenses and also follow the directions on the packaging.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelids, is a condition that occurs when the small oil glands at the base of the eyelashes become blocked. Blepharitis can cause eyes that are itchy, red, watery, and swollen. Cleaning your eyelids and eyelashes regularly can help prevent blepharitis, but some people may experience the condition on a chronic basis. Treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may be necessary.

Symptoms of Itchy Eyes

As noted above, the symptoms of itchy eyes depend somewhat on the cause of your eye problems.

However, symptoms that are often associated with itchy eyes may include:

• Itchiness
• Red, irritated eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Soreness, burning, or pain
• Tearing or runny eyes
• Sensitivity to light

People who are experiencing itchy eyes as a result of allergies typically also experience other symptoms that are common during an allergy attack, such as sneezing and nasal congestion.

How To Treat Itchy Eyes

The causes of itchy eyes can often be treated at home using simple home remedies. However, depending on the cause of your itchy eyes, you may need to see a doctor.

At home remedies for itchy eyes include:

Applying warm and cool compresses

• Following the 20-20-20 rule
• Using a humidifier
• Avoiding allergens
• Keeping the eye area clean
• Discontinuing contact lens use
• Using eye drops
• Taking an allergy medication

Applying warm and cool compresses

If your eyes are itchy and swollen, you might try using a warm or cool compress to soothe the itching. Warm compresses can be helpful in relieving itching caused by allergies, while cold compresses can help itchy eyes that also feel warm to the touch and swollen.

Following the 20-20-20 rule

If you spend a lot of time staring at screens, as most people do, following the 20-20-20 rule can help your eyes to feel less strained and prevent itching. To follow the 20-20-20 rule, look away from your screen every 20 minutes and focus on an object approximately 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This helps your eyes to relax and reduces eye strain.

Using a humidifier

If your eyes become itchy due to dry air, particularly at night or in the winter, using a humidifier may help. If you suffer from itchy eyes at night or when you first wake up, try placing a humidifier next to your bed and running it while you sleep.

Avoiding allergens

If your itchy eyes are caused by allergies, the best thing you can do to prevent itchy eyes is to avoid the allergens that are causing the reaction. Look at local weather reports to see if there are certain days when the pollen count will be higher than others and stay inside with the windows closed as much as possible during that time. If you are allergic to pet dander, keep your pets off the furniture and out of your bedroom to reduce exposure at night.

Keeping the eye area clean

Keeping your eyes clean can help prevent eye infections like blepharitis, uveitis, and conjunctivitis that can make the eyes itchy. Be sure to wash your face and remove all makeup each night and flush your eyes with cool water to clean the area.

Discontinuing contact lens use

People who experience itchy eyes as a result of contact lens use should give their eyes regular breaks from contact lenses. Make sure to take your contacts out each night and clean them thoroughly. If your itchy eyes continue, consider switching to a different type of contact lens or use disposable lenses.

Using eye drops

Eye drops can help provide relief for dry, itchy eyes. There are many different formulas, some of which are designed to simply address dryness and others that help to reduce itching caused by allergies. Over the counter eye drops are available in many stores. If over the counter eye drops do not provide relief, you may need to talk to your doctor about getting prescription eye drops.

Taking an allergy medication

Using an allergy medication or homeopathic remedy may help relieve discomfort associated with itchy eyes. Over the counter remedies can help to minimize the allergic response, but the best way to prevent itchy eyes caused by allergens is to avoid exposure to the allergen as much as possible.

Summary

Itchy eyes can result from a number of different causes, but often, they can be treated with over the counter remedies.

Using a warm or cold compress, cleaning the eye area regularly, following the 20-20-20 method, using eye drops, taking an allergy medication, avoiding allergens, using a humidifier, and discontinuing contact lens use can go a long way towards improving your itchy eye symptoms.

However, if you find that home remedies are not successful in relieving your symptoms, talk to a doctor to rule out a possible eye infection that requires medical treatment.