What Causes Eye Itching? What is Good for Itchy Eyes?

The eye is the organ that provides a person’s visual connection with the outside world, detects and refracts light and transmits it to the sensory center in the brain. The eye is very quickly affected by environmental conditions, both because it is a sensitive organ and because it is open to external factors. Eye itching, which usually occurs due to external factors, is one of the common eye disorders. Eye itching may occur due to air pollution, allergic factors and pathogenic microorganisms. However, eye itching should still be taken lightly as it can be a sign of different and serious diseases. Eye itching, as its name suggests, manifests itself with itching as the first symptom. In addition, symptoms such as redness and watering of the eyes, clear or dark discharge, eyelid swelling, burning sensation, and stinging sensation may also occur.

What Causes Eye Itching?

The most common factors that cause eye itching include conjunctivitis due to infection and allergies. Apart from this, other factors that cause eye itching include:

• Allergy: One of the most common causes of eye itching is allergies. Seasonal allergies or other environmental allergies that occur from time to time can cause eye itching. Allergy is a condition characterized by the release of histamine, and this chemical causes capillary, sensitive vessels in the eye to dilate, triggering itching and redness.
• Dry eye disease: Dry eye disease, which occurs due to moisture loss in the eye, can cause itching. Excessive drying of the eye may cause symptoms such as redness and pain, as well as itching.
• Eye infection and inflammation: Infections occurring in the eyelids and around the eyes can cause an itching sensation.
• Blepharitis: Blepharitis is an infection that occurs at the junction of the eyelids with the eyelashes. It occurs due to excessive bacterial colonization on the eyelids. This disease, which occurs when the small oil glands at the base of the eyelashes become clogged, can cause redness, itching and irritation.
• Conjunctivitis not associated with allergic factors: This type of conjunctivitis occurs after viral or bacterial infections such as colds, flu and COVID-19 and often causes eye itching.
• Contact lens use: Using contact lenses without proper cleaning or not replacing them regularly depending on the duration of use may cause irritation of the conjunctiva. This condition, called papillary conjunctivitis, which occurs due to incorrect use of contact lenses, causes eye swelling, itching and redness. Contact lenses should only be used with the advice of a doctor and it must be ensured that the lens is suitable for the eye and will not irritate the eye.
• Recovery process after eye surgery: Eye itching may occur after cataract surgery or other eye-related operations. These patients feel the presence of a foreign body in the eye along with itching, and this increases the urge to scratch even more. During this process, eye rubbing should be avoided, and if the itching symptom persists for a long time, a doctor should be consulted.
• Eye fatigue: Engaging in activities that tire the eyes, such as driving on long roads, reading for long hours, or studying can cause eye itching. Itching that develops due to eye fatigue is often accompanied by tension. In cases where it is necessary to engage in activities that strain the eyes, applying the 20-20-20 rule can prevent itching and other symptoms from occurring. In this method, it is essential that the eye looks at something 6 meters away for at least 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
• Exposure to irritating substances: Exposure to polluted air or chemical fumes or dusty ambient air can irritate the eyes and cause itching. Apart from exposure to airborne irritants, indirect exposure may occur through contact of cosmetic products and lotions around the eyes. Such irritation may result in contact dermatitis or eyelid dermatitis, exacerbating itching.
• Foreign object getting into the eye: One of the common causes of eye itching is a foreign object getting into the eye. Sand, dirt and other small particles can get lodged in the eye very easily. In this case, the eye should not be rubbed or touched. The healthiest action to take in case of a foreign object getting into the eye is to blink your eyes to naturally expel the object.
• Medication use: Some medications can cause eye dryness as a side effect or direct effect. Dry eyes are also one of the factors that cause itching. Antihistamines, decongestants, birth control pills, and oral acne medications can trigger eye itching due to dryness.
• Dermatitis and rosacea: Dermatitis, popularly known as eczema, and rosacea, also known as rosacea, can cause conjunctivitis when they occur on the eyelid. Conjunctivitis can also trigger dry eyes. A feeling of irritation and itching may also occur when skin rashes caused by eczema on the eyelid get into the eye.

What is Good for Itchy Eyes?

There are some methods that can be good for itchy eyes and relieve itching. These methods include:

• Using artificial tear drops, which are available over-the-counter or with a prescription,
• Using anti-allergic eye drops under doctor’s supervision,
• Using oral antihistamines under doctor’s supervision,
• Paying attention to the cleanliness and hygiene of the eye area,
• Avoid tiring the eyes and work by resting and taking breaks as much as possible.

How to Treat Itchy Eyes at Home?

Although eye itching is considered a simple medical disorder, in some cases it can be a sign of a serious disease. Especially in the presence of some symptoms, home remedies should not be sought and professional help should be sought. These symptoms include:

• Thick green or yellowish discharge from the eyes
• An abnormal swelling of the eyes,
• Blurred vision, sudden increase in eye temperature,
• Hypersensitivity to light in the eyes,
• Unbearable eye pain.

If these symptoms are not present and mild itching develops, here are what you can do at home:

• The eye area can be washed in case hard, irritating and infectious substances such as pollen and dandruff have accumulated on the eyelids or eyelashes. This washing process should be done with clean and warm water. During rinsing, you should be gentle and avoid rubbing your eyes.
• Applying a cold compress is a recommended method for both pain and itching. Itching symptoms can be relieved by placing a clean cheesecloth or towel soaked in cold water over the eye. Since cold compress application usually does not give effective results in the first application, it may be necessary to repeat it several times.

How to Prevent Itchy Eyes?

Eye itching can be prevented by taking some precautions. Things you can do to prevent itchy eyes include:

• Paying attention to hygiene when using contact lenses and not exceeding the period of use prevents both infection and itching. Hands should be washed thoroughly before changing lenses, and lenses of questionable cleanliness should never be used.
• Washing the eye area and especially the eyelash roots with shampoos specially developed for the eyes before going to bed at night prevents possible infections and prevents dry eyes from being triggered.
• Removing makeup residue before going to bed at night is one of the ways to prevent eye itching. Thus, the pores and eyelash roots do not become clogged and become susceptible to infections. Additionally, make-up items should be personal and should not be shared with others.

If you cannot determine the cause of itching in your eyes and have increasingly severe itching, it is the best option to seek help from healthcare professionals. You can easily get rid of this health problem by identifying the factor causing itching through diagnostic methods and initiating appropriate treatment.