What Are Itchy Eyes?
Every person has faced the problem of itchy eyes at least once in life. It is a condition that causes irritation of the mucous membranes and makes the eyes red and scratchy. The inflammation results in multiple inconveniences, especially when a person suffers from eye irritation permanently rather than seasonally. What can cause itchy eyes? And how to prevent severe damage to one’s health? We will shed light on this common problem in this article.
What Makes Your Eyes Itch: Common Triggers
Numerous factors may cause eye irritation. Moreover, the itchiness may return even after a course of treatment. Here are the most common causes that provoke the problem.
Allergies
Allergy is one of the major triggers provoking eye inflammation. When you get in contact with an allergen (pet, plant, pollen, chemicals, etc.) and then touch your eyes, you literally ignite itching with your own hands. There is another way to activate inflammation, even without touching an allergen. We talk about food allergies. If you eat something that generates an allergic reaction in your body, your eyes may turn red and watering, stirring up severe discomfort.
Blepharitis
If you wonder what can be the cause of itchy eyes, you need to consider related conditions, such as blepharitis. It is the inflammation of the eyelids, often accompanied by redness and the appearance of crusts. Women suffer from blepharitis more frequently than men. The possible causes of eyelids inflammation are bad-quality mascara, eyeliner, and poor hygiene when removing makeup.
Dry eye
Nowadays, more and more people suffer from the so-called dry eye condition. It is the inability of mucous membranes to generate enough tears to lubricate eyes. As a result, you feel like the eyes’ surface is dehydrated, which causes burning and itching. Decades ago, dry eye syndrome was the problem of older people. Today, the syndrome equally affects representatives of the younger generation.
Pink eye
Pink eye syndrome, or conjunctivitis, is the inflammation of the outer layer of the eye’s white part. The disease may be provoked by allergies and mites. Patients with conjunctivitis experience severe discomfort. Their only desire is to scratch the eyes to get rid of annoying irritation and burning.
Contact lenses
Over 80% of newbies experience eye itching when they just start wearing contact lenses. It is normal at the beginning, as your eyes need to get used to a foreign object. Still, if you feel constant irritation while wearing lenses, it is an alarming sign and the reason to contact your ophthalmologist. Wrong diopters or incorrect putting-on may not only cause severe irritation and eye redness but also result in serious vision problems.
Irritating products
Chemicals and cosmetics are also on the list of common agents that cause eye problems. Even your favorite shampoo, washing powder, and prescribed medicine may generate inflammation. What happens when you itch your eye after touching a potential allergen? Your eyes get red and start burning. The worse thing is when a person has a delayed allergic reaction and keeps using a product for a while before noticing alarming signs.
Digital eye strain
Nowadays, humanity lives in the digitized world. Computer and mobile technologies have become an integral part of people’s daily routine. Unfortunately, digitized lifestyle has its negative impact on human health. The digital eye strain syndrome is one of the downsides of the technological boost. This is what makes your eyes itch and causes redness, fatigue, and difficulty focusing. The lack of sufficient treatment may even result in constant headaches and sight reduction.
Foreign objects
When we have something in the eye, the first desire is to scratch it to remove the foreign object. But sometimes, the trigger can be invisible to our sight, like dust or sand. We only feel that something irritates the eye and want this annoying feeling to stop. The best thing to get rid of the agent is to wash your eyes with water. If itching doesn’t stop, you’d better address a doctor immediately to prevent complications.
Symptoms of Itchy Eyes
The following checkmarks will help you diagnose itchy eyes:
- redness
- eyelids inflammation
- burning
- stinging
- moisture deficiency
- difficulty focusing
- pus
When Should I Seek Help?
What do you do if your eye is itchy? First, you shouldn’t neglect professional help. Address a specialist if:
- the symptoms are getting worse;
- the redness increases;
- you notice pus in the corners of your eyes;
- you have a reduction in vision;
- you suffer from constant headaches;
- you see a halo around lights;
- you feel pain when blinking.
How to Make the Correct Diagnosis
The primary rule you should keep in mind is that only specialists can make the right diagnosis and tell what makes your eyes itch. Never try to self-diagnose your condition based on the information you find on the Internet space! Self-treatment may not only be useless but even lead to severe complications if you don’t address a doctor in time.
Therapy to Cure Itchy Eyes
As we mentioned above, only certified specialists may prescribe a necessary therapy to treat itchy eyes. Still, you can take some measures to self-help and not let the condition get worse:
- observe hygiene;
- wash your hands before touching the eyes;
- use hypoallergenic cosmetics;
- follow antihistamine therapy if you suffer from allergies;
- thoroughly clean your contact lenses;
- decrease the time spent using gadgets;
- use eye drops to moisturize the eye surface.
Can Itchy Eyes Be Prevented?
Now, you are aware of potential triggers and know what can cause itchy eyes. Remember that proper hygiene is the first step to prevent the condition and preserve good vision. Avoid potential triggers that may provoke eye irritation, and always ask for professional help if redness and burning don’t pass. It’s better to nip any disease in the bud than deal with sad implications afterward!