Causes of Eyes Itching

Itchy eyes are often a symptom of allergic reactions, or allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is more typical in adults than in children, but it can establish at any age. It can be severe or chronic, and depending upon the seriousness, you might develop additional symptoms such as a swollen eyelid or blurred vision.

What Causes Eyes Itching?

There are two types of allergic conjunctivitis: seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, which normally occurs during the spring and fall, is triggered by exposure to allergens like yard, pollen, and weeds.

The other type is perennial allergic conjunctivitis, which occurs all year long due to consistent exposure to household allergens like mold, dust, and animal dander.

Itchy eyes can likewise be caused by diseases such as dry eye and blepharitis. If you are experiencing itchy eyes and you do not struggle with any known allergies, call your eye care professional immediately to look for other conditions like those listed here.

Above all, though it’s appealing, do not rub itchy eyes. Rubbing releases more histamines that make the itching even worse. It’s also possible to cause a corneal abrasion by rubbing your eyes too strongly or present bacteria to your eyes that can result in an eye infection.

What Other Problems Do Eyes Itching Cause?

During an allergic reaction extra symptoms might include:

• Watery eyes
• Red bloodshot eyes
• Swollen eyelid
• Difficulty seeing or blurred vision
• Failure to open eye due to swelling
• Blockage; trouble breathing; wheezing
• Sneezing or runny nose

Why Are My Eyes Itchy?

Allergic reactions happen when the surface of your eye is exposed to allergens. The response activates the release of histamines, causing itchy, red, watery eyes. Rubbing your itchy eyes is extremely discouraged.

As you rub your eyes, you launch increasingly more histamines, which leads to even worse symptoms. You can likewise scratch or cause other trauma to the surface of your eye by rubbing the itch.

Itchy eyes can be caused by various eye conditions too. Dry eyes are known to cause discomfort and inflammation. Blepharitis, a non-contagious eye disorder brought on by bacterial or skin conditions, also causes itchy eyes.

With blepharitis, the eyelids end up being dry, scaly, and itchy. Usually the eyelashes fall out. In some cases eyelashes grow back abnormally– a condition referred to as trichiasis, which might cause inflammation of the eyeball.

Some people might be allergic to their contact lens services, which can cause inflammation, pain, itching, and inflammation. Thimerosal, a preservative used in ophthalmic items and found in lots of contact lens services, is among the primary perpetrators in allergies to contact lens solutions.

Diagnosing of Itchy Eyes

If you have actually currently been diagnosed with allergic reactions, it is most likely safe to state the allergies are the cause of your itchy eyes. Like lots of other conditions, allergic reactions establish with age.

If you have actually never ever had allergies before, however see you establish symptoms around specific smells or foods, or at certain seasons, you need to look for medical attention.

Generally you would see an eye care expert like an eye doctor for eye problems, but for allergic reactions you ought to see a specialist or dermatologist. Any of these experts can assist determine the reason for your itchy eyes. To diagnose particular allergic reactions, one or more of the following tests might be preformed:

• Allergic reaction skin test
• Blood test for allergic reactions
• Food allergy test
• Physical examination

Your eye doctor may take a look at the afflicted eye to identify whether you are suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. Your doctor will ask concerns about your symptoms, your medical history, your diet, and your lifestyle.

Tips for Preventing Eyes Itching

Preventing itchy eyes brought on by allergies is basic: prevent the allergen. If preventing the allergen is not possible, it is best to talk with your healthcare service provider about preventive choices such as eye drops, oral antihistamines, and decongestants.

Visit your eye doctor regularly to expect establishing eye conditions such as blepharitis that may result in itchy eyes. When working around chemicals, use safety goggles.

If you believe you may dislike your contact lenses or lens service, talk with your eye doctor about the issue. Have a look at these tips for preventing itchy eyes inside and outdoors.

Inside your home:

• Vacuum frequently to lower dust and pet dander.
• Keep your windows shut to reduce outside allergens.
• Keep your family pets out of bedrooms or areas you invest a great deal of time in.
• Run your a/c unit to reduce indoor allergens, and keep your air filters and air ducts clean.
• Avoid smoking cigarettes in rooms with little or no ventilation.

Outdoors:

• See the news to inspect the pollen counts. Pollen counts are the highest between 5:00 am and 10:00 am.
• Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer, not outdoors. Outside irritants stay with the material of your clothing.
• Take precautions prior to doing yard work. Wear a face mask and gloves.
• Shower after being outdoors to remove irritants that have clung to your hair and skin.

The best way to prevent itchy eyes is to avoid allergens completely. Never ever rub itchy eyes, due to the fact that when you do you launch more histamines, which only aggravate the symptoms. Seek some form of treatment if you can not handle the itching.

Talk with your eye care company about preventive measures you can take and which items may work best for you.

Treatment for Eyes Itching

You can either purchase over-the-counter oral antihistamines such as Claritin or eye drops with antihistamines in them. Or you can go see your doctor and have similar medications prescribed. Antihistamines obstruct the release of the histamines that cause itchy eyes.

Some oral antihistamines can cause sleepiness, irritation, and dryness, and take up to an hour to start working. It is recommended that you take preventative measures– i.e., prevent driving or operating machinery if oral antihistamines make you sleepy.

A lot of over-the-counter eye drops benefit four to 6 hours and ease itching almost immediately, with no side effects. One OTC eye drop, Zaditor, relieves symptoms for approximately twelve hours with only one dose. In severe cases, you can talk to your doctor about utilizing steroid eye drops to alleviate the pain.

If you see your doctor for relief of itchy eyes, speak with him or her about utilizing Allegra or Zyrtec. Not just do they ease the itching, they also alleviate the puffiness, irritation, inflammation, and dryness of allergy eyes.

Plus, they start working within fifteen to thirty minutes and rarely cause side effects such as drowsiness.

Recommended oral antihistamines can be a lifesaver, specifically if you struggle with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Taken ahead of time, they can last twelve to twenty-four hours. If your itchy eyes continue, you can also ask your doctor to prescribe eye drops.

Common prescription eye drops for allergic reactions consist of:

• Levocabastine
• Emedastine
• Antazoline
• Naphazoline
• Lodoxamide
• Olopatadine
• Cromolyn

How Long Will My Eyes Itch?

Itchy eyes that are brought on by allergic conjunctivitis can be cured by eliminating the irritant, however the allergic reaction is likely to repeat. In cases where the eyelid is swollen, swelling may decrease considerably within twenty-four hours, without any further sign of swelling after forty-eight hours.

Read also: How do you get rid of red itchy eyes?

Talking to Your Eye Doctor

Here are some concerns to ask your eye doctor about itchy eyes:

• What is triggering my allergic reactions?
• Can you suggest an allergist?
• If I start seeing a specialist, will you keep in contact with them about me?
• To learn precisely what I dislike, which diagnostic tests should I expect?
• What can I do at home if my eyes get itchy?
• Are there any over the counter items you suggest to people with itchy eyes?
• Are my allergies severe enough to require prescription-strength medication?
• Is there a hidden condition triggering my itchy eyes?

Did you know … saving artificial tears in the refrigerator can make them particularly calming when you use them?