Itchy eyes might not seem like the worst thing in the world but there are plenty of people who are plagued with pain and discomfort that comes from itchy eyes. Here are some of the reasons why you might suffer from itchy eyes and the treatments available.
Itchy eyes can be caused by a variety of reasons but the main reason is that there is something in your eye that shouldn’t be there. It can be hard sometimes to discover what is causing the irritation, but thankfully a lot of the methods for treating itchy eyes can be used for a variety of causes.
Hay Fever
One of the common symptoms of hayfever is itchy eyes. This is caused by pollen causing irritation to your eyes and is a form of allergic conjunctivitis. Antihistamines are great to use when you suffer from hayfever as you may be experiencing more than just itchy eyes. While you wait on your antihistamines kicking in, you can soothe your eyes with a cool, damp cloth and place it over the eyes.
Washing your eyes gently with clean water can also help if they feel particularly bad. If the pollen count is high, try and keep the windows shut to keep the pollen outside.
Animal Allergies
Animal allergies can attack all year round but they can be worse during the summer months when the pollen count is high. Allergies caused by animals can feel like hayfever and it is common to get the two confused. However, they can both be treated the same way too. If you are in a house with a pet, you could ask for the windows to be opened or take an antihistamine before you go to combat the symptoms. The most important thing that you should do is wash your hands after handling an animal. If you don’t suffer from pet allergies, you might find yourself with itchy eyes if you handle them and then rub your eyes.
Pollution in your Home
If you discover that you have itchy eyes all year round, you may have a dust or mould problem in your home. The easiest way to deal with this is to make sure that your home is cleaned regularly and that you open windows. If you are doing this and your eyes are still itchy at home, you may have a much bigger mould problem than you realise.
Contact Lenses
What you put in your eye can cause a reaction too. Although there are not many things that are safe to put in your eye, there is a possibility that they may cause a reaction. Changing contact lenses, the fluid you clean them in, or the eye drops you use can cause inflammation of your eye. If this happens, you will need to speak to your optician to see if you can switch to a different lens or cleaning fluid.
Dry Eye
Dry Eye is a growing issue with people who spend a lot of time in front of screens. The glare of the screen can cause your eyes to get tired and they can become itchy. To combat this, you should ensure that you take regular breaks away from the screen. If you have to work around screens all day and there is no opportunity for a proper break from the screen, you need to ensure that you have the proper glasses with anti-glare lenses. Eye Drops and sprays are another excellent idea to have if you know that you will be working hard at your computer all day.
Blepharitis
One of the final causes of itchy eyes is a condition known as blepharitis. This condition is caused by bacteria and tiny mites that live on your face and around your eyes. This condition is common in people who wear false lashes or lash extensions. However, people with full eyelashes can also suffer from blepharitis. The easiest way to treat this is to ensure that your lash line gets cleaned every day. Using a mild baby shampoo to wash the lash line helps to wash away any dirt and bacteria without upsetting your eyes. Using a clean mascara wand to brush the lashes can also help remove any dirt that should not be there. If it is left untreated, it can become very painful. If you can not seem to get your blepharitis under control, you may need an antibiotic from your doctor.
If you are concerned about your eyes, give Belson opticians a call about your concerns.
