What Causes Itchy Eyes
The most common cause of itchy eyes is an allergy. Itchy eyes can be triggered by exposure to pollen, animal fur, mould, dust mites, make-up or eye drops. The body reacts to the trigger by releasing histamine, causing the blood vessels in the eye to dilate and irritating the nerve endings so the eyes water. When the eyes get red because of an allergy, it is known as allergic conjunctivitis .
Allergic conjunctivitis is more common at certain times of the year, although you can still have it all year round. It also causes a runny nose, scratchy throat and sneezing.
Other types of allergy can give you itchy eyes. For example, a condition called atopic keratoconjunctivitis produces an inflammation of the surface of the eye because of an allergy to a specific substance. Another condition, vernal keratoconjunctivitis , produces inflammation in the membrane on the surface of the eye. This usually affects young boys.
If you have eczema, a form of dermatitis, around your eyes this too can cause itching.
Other causes of itchy eyes include:
- dry eye syndrome when you do not produce enough of the right kind of tears to keep the surface of your eye moist and comfortable
Symptoms May Also Be Due To Contact Allergy
- Many cosmetics , will cause a contact allergy of the eyelids, which may occur in only one eye
- Other causes include antibiotics and the preservative thiomersal .
- Some plants will also cause contact allergy, including Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’, African violets and a number of bulbs. Since the Rhus tree has been declared a noxious weed the number of cases of this serious contact allergy has declined.
- Usually there is an initial improvement of the condition after prescribed eye drops are used and then a continuing deterioration, only improved by ceasing the eye drops.
- Bathing the eyes with cooled boiled water will give comfort as the condition improves.
- A doctor will usually use patch testing to confirm the diagnosis and inquire about whether any non-prescribed or herbal drops have been used.
How Are Eye Allergies Diagnosed
Eye allergies are best diagnosed by an allergist, someone who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies. Seeing an allergist is particularly important if you have other allergy-related symptoms, such as asthma or eczema.
The allergist will first ask you about your medical history and symptoms, including when they started and how long theyve persisted.
Then theyll perform a skin prick test to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms. A skin prick test involves pricking the skin and inserting small amounts of suspected allergens to see if theres an adverse reaction.
A red, swollen bump will indicate an allergic reaction. This helps the allergist identify which allergens youre most sensitive to, allowing them to determine the best course of treatment.
The best way to treat an eye allergy is to avoid the allergen thats causing it. However, this isnt always possible, especially if you have seasonal allergies.
Luckily, numerous different treatments can relieve eye allergy symptoms.
Also Check: Can You Develop Seasonal Allergies
How Can The Symptoms Of Eye Redness Be Treated
If your eye redness is caused by a milder condition such as allergies, conjunctivitis, or blepharitis, you may be able to treat your symptoms at home. Some things that you can do include:
- Apply a cool compress. A cool compress on your closed eyes a few times each day can help reduce symptoms like redness and swelling.
- Take over-the-counter medications. OTC antihistamines or may help reduce eye redness. Medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are also available over the counter and can ease discomfort or swelling.
- Try artificial tears.Artificial tears are available over the counter and can be used to help alleviate red eyes and wash away irritants. Keeping them in the refrigerator can provide additional relief.
- Avoid irritants. While youre recovering, try to reduce your contact with irritants in your environment, such as pollen, smoke, or chemical fumes.
- Wash your hands. Make sure to wash your hands frequently. Avoid touching your eyes or the surrounding area if your hands arent clean.
- Avoid makeup or contacts. Aim to avoid wearing makeup or contacts until your symptoms have gone away.
- Limit screen time. Spending too much time in front of a computer, TV, or phone screen can cause eyestrain and dry eyes, so try to reduce your screen time.
Depending on your diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe treatment that helps to alleviate your symptoms. This would likely include things like:
Mast Cell Stabilizers Otcs And Prescription
We shall look at how mast cell stabilizers work to counter the release of histamine later in the discussion. Samples of OTCs include Claritin and Refresh Eye Itch Relief.
Those prescribed by your doctor such as Cromolyn, Lodoxamide, Alamast, Nedocromil Sodium can be found in drugstores and pharmacist shops.
If you have problems with contacts especially itching, you can go for brands with more than one ingredient. The interesting bit is that they have multiple actions ensuring that they prevent and treat eye problems such as soreness, itchiness, and redness, watering or tearing and burning. Examples are Elestat, Patanol, Zaditor or Alaway.
You must take caution when it comes to duration of application. Most over-the-counter medicines should not be used for more than 3 days. As for many eyedrops, wearing contacts may impossible unless you have been given permission to do so.
Also Check: Can Allergies Cause Facial Twitching
Does Caffeine Cause Red Eyes
Caffeine is a substance found in many products and foods. It has many effects on the body, including being an energizing stimulant. That being said, some people might have food-induced allergies, so they might notice that they have an allergy to caffeine.
People with allergies to caffeine experience an array of symptoms when they come into contact with it, including runny nose, itching eyes, and watery eyes.
So , whether an energy drink can cause red eyes or not, the quick answer is yes and no. Not everyone is allergic to caffeine. On the other hand, some people might be allergic to caffeine and it might cause red eyes.
One way or another, its best to either limit high caffeine dosages or avoid them completely. Following are a few highly caffeinated beverages:
| Energy drinks |
Eye Relief With Contacts
Did you start feeling all of the sorts of eye discomfort when you started wearing contacts? Being in this situation one needs to be curious. Well, the truth is, from proven studies show that eye contacts themselves do not pose any risks of having an eye allergy. Instead, allergies associated with contacts wearing can be attributed to substances that have accumulated on your contacts over time.
What implication does this have on the whole issue of itchy eyes and contacts? In most cases, eye patients tend to develop itchy, red eyes when they stop when they substitute regular soft contacts to silicon hydrogel ones. Now, the real issue here is concerning the nature of the surface and chemical composition of your new contacts.
Daily discarded soft lenses are most recommended by eye care providers. This mode of using single day lens package highly discourages build-up of debris or other materials such as allergens is what causes itchy eyes in winter.
Read Also: Can You Take Allergy Medicine After Covid Vaccine
How Can You Avoid Eye Problems
You can minimize your risks for both eye allergies and infections. Keeping windows shut and other easily implemented strategies can help you survive seasonal allergies, while an air purifier can help you cope with indoor allergies. Conjunctivitis is the most common eye infection, caused by a virus or bacteria. Either way, its easily spread.
You can minimize your risks for both eye allergies and infections. Keeping windows shut and other easily implemented strategies can help you survive seasonal allergies, while an air purifier can help you cope with indoor allergies.
Conjunctivitis is the most common eye infection, caused by a virus or bacteria. Either way, its easily spread.
Frequent hand washing is just one way to help prevent pink eye and other contagious diseases. Taking care with makeup and contact lenses also helps prevent bacterial pink eye from spreading.
Is It Pink Eye Or Allergies
It can be difficult to tell the difference between allergic conjunctivitis and pink eye, a conjunctivitis caused by a virus or bacteria. Eye allergy tends to clear secretions and itching, while bacterial infections causing pink eye usually involve yellow or greenish discharge. Most conjunctivitis is viral rather bacterial and resolves well after applying warm compresses. If only one eye is affected, take care to not touch or apply anything to the unaffected eye after touching the eye with the issue.
Never put corticosteroid drops into your eyes without having a comprehensive eye exam. It is very difficult to tell the difference between conjunctivitis caused by allergy or conjunctivitis caused by bacteria corticosteroids can be dangerous with certain bacterial diseases. Eye allergy tends to cause clear secretions and itching, while bacterial infections usually involve yellow or greenish secretions.
If you suspect that you have eye allergies visit a healthcare professional. Preventing and treating eye symptoms may be part of your overall treatment plan.
Also Check: What Allergies Are High In August
When To Contact A Medical Professional
- You have symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis that do not respond to self-care steps and over-the-counter treatment.
- Your vision is affected.
- You develop eye pain that is severe or becoming worse.
- Your eyelids or the skin around your eyes becomes swollen or red.
- You have a headache in addition to your other symptoms.
What Causes The Dark Blue
This is called the allergic shiner when theres swelling of tissue and fluid buildup in and around the eyes, blood starts to pool, darkening the skin and creating dark circles. The allergic shiner is also a common sign of environmental allergies to pollen, dust mites or pet dander, and it can also indicate food allergy.
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What Causes Eye Redness
The appearance of red eyes is caused by dilation of tiny blood vessels that are located between the sclera and the overlying clear conjunctiva of the eye. These tiny blood vessels can become swollen because of environmental or lifestyle-related reasons or because of specific eye problems.
Red eyes usually are caused by allergy, eye fatigue, over-wearing contact lenses or common eye infections such as pink eye . However, redness of the eye sometimes can signal a more serious eye condition or disease, such as uveitis or glaucoma.
Red eyes occur when the blood vessels on the surface of the eye expand.
Environmental causes of bloodshot or red eyes include:
Lifestyle factors also can contribute to your red eye risk. For example, smoking definitely can cause red eyes, as can significant alcohol consumption. Sustained use of digital devices and insufficient sleep are other lifestyle-related causes of red eyes.
What Is The Treatment For Eye Allergies
The first and best option is to avoid contact with substances that trigger your eye allergies. If that is not enough, consider using:
- Saline eye drops to wash away the allergens
- Over-the-counter medicine or eye drops
- Prescription treatments from your doctor
- Allergy shots from your doctor
Eye allergy symptoms may disappear completely when the allergen is removed or after the allergy is treated. Talk to your pharmacist and health care provider about what is best for you.
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There Are Several Signs Of Allergic Conjunctivitis
Typical signs and symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include:
- Redness in both eyes.
- Itching and burning of both the eye and surrounding tissues.
- Watery discharge, often accompanied by acute discomfort in bright sunlight light .
- The conjunctiva itself may become very swollen and look light purple, and this may interfere with clarity of vision.
Eyelids may also be affected by an allergic reaction, causing the loose tissues of the lid to become swollen with subsequent drooping of the eyelid. In cases of severe swelling, the lids cannot open and the gap between the upper and lower lids becomes slit like.
It is important to note that blurred vision or corneal haze require urgent referral to an eye specialist.
Allergic conjunctivitis symptoms may be:
- Perennial due to exposure to dust mite, animal dander, indoor and outdoor mould spores and occasionally foods or food additives.
- Seasonal due to airborne allergens such as pollen of grasses, trees and weeds. Pollen allergy symptoms vary from day to day, depending on the weather, improving in wet weather and worsening on hot windy days or after thunderstorms. There are also seasonal variations in some airborne mould spores, which may cause seasonal symptoms.
Puffy Eyes Caused By Allergies: Triggers And Treatments
- Puffy eyes are often due to allergic reactions and can be triggered by such irritants as pet dander, dust mites and mold.
- Puffy eyes are a result of three different forms of allergies: airborne, contact and ingested.
- Several over the counter and prescription treatments are available to treat the causes and symptoms of puffy eyes.
The eyes are typically where the signs of allergies are most commonly seen, including swollen and watery eyes, redness and itching. A variety of treatments exist, including home remedies, OTC and prescription medications.
The treatment you choose will often depend on the severity of the allergic reaction and the root cause.
Contents
Recommended Reading: What Helps Relieve Allergies Fast
What’s Causing Your Itching Teary Eyes
Do your eyes itch after youve been near a cat? Do they puff up or run with tears when pollen is in the air?
Allergies of the eye affect about 20% to 40% of Americans each year and are on the rise. The same inhaled airborne allergenspollens, animal dander, dust mite feces, and moldthat trigger allergic rhinitis can lead to allergic conjunctivitis . Both conditions are IgE-mediated allergic responses. Its not surprising that people with one of these conditions often suffer from the other as well. Some 95% of people with allergic conjunctivitis have allergic rhinitis, according to one estimate.
Allergic conjunctivitis, also called ocular allergy, is predominantly a disease of young adults, as symptoms typically decrease with age. More than half of eye allergies are seasonal the rest are perennial. The symptoms are itchy and red eyes, tearing, edema of the conjunctiva or eyelid, and a mucous discharge. Although it can be uncomfortable, you can rest assured that uncomplicated allergic conjunctivitis is not a threat to vision.
How To Treat Dry Eyes From Allergies
There are many different treatments for dry eye ranging from over-the-counter artificial tears to prescription medications to lid procedures. Dr. Schellenberg says finding the right treatment depends on the root of the problem.
The best way to differentiate dry eye syndrome from allergies is to first have an eye exam, as they can be difficult to manage without a treatment plan from an eye doctor.
Ocular allergies are often treated with antihistamine drops. There are several over-the-counter and some stronger prescription antihistamine drops available, she says. Additionally, steroid drops may be needed if ocular allergies are severe.
Since antihistamine drops can decrease tear production, your eye doctor may recommend using preservative-free artificial tears in conjunction with allergy drops to keep your eyes lubricating and from drying out.
Before trying medications, there are several simple things you can try to see if your symptoms improve. Avoiding allergens altogether can limit the histamine production, thus decreasing the dry, itchy feeling in your eyes.
This may sound easier said than done, but avoid going outdoors when pollen counts are higher early at dawn and dusk. Keeping windows closed during the summer can keep allergens from getting in your house. Clean your house regularly to remove dust and pet dander that collects on surfaces.
Also Check: What Is The Definition Of Allergy
Eye Symptoms And Anaphylaxis
An allergic reaction to a food, insect sting or bite, or medication may cause eye symptoms with swelling, itching and redness of the conjunctiva and soft tissues around the eyes. Individuals who are at risk of anaphylaxis should be referred to a clinical immunology/allergy specialist.
Eating of foods containing monosodium glutamate or the preservative sodium metabisulfite will occasionallycause swelling and redness of the eye. However this is not a true allergic reaction and therefore symptoms will be less severe.
ASCIA is the peak professional body of clinical immunology/allergy specialists in Australia and New Zealand.
ASCIA resources are based on published literature and expert review, however, they are not intended to replace medical advice. The content of ASCIA resources is not influenced by any commercial organisations.
For more information go to www.allergy.org.au
To donate to immunology/allergy research go to www.allergyimmunology.org.au
Redness Around Eyes & Eyelids: Causes Treatments & In Children
What causes red dry patches under my eyes that look scaly? Redness around eyes and eyelids is a problem for anyone but who wants it. This problem could be a deprivation of sleep, dermatitis, allergic reactions, and infections among many other trigger factors. This article will focus on causes, symptoms, and signs likely to occur, how to reduce and treat it.
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What Are Some Eye Allergy Medications
First, talk with your doctor about developing an allergy treatment plan that addresses nasal, respiratory and eye symptoms.
Over-the-counter and prescription eyedrops and oral medications can also be used to treat eye allergies.
Over-the-counter Oral antihistamines can help relieve itchy eyes, but they may also dry out the eyes. Decongestant eyedrops can help reduce eye redness associated with allergies, but they should not be used for more than three days or they may worsen irritation.
Prescription Antihistamine eyedrops can reduce eye swelling, itching and redness associated with allergies. Antihistamine drops combined with a mast cell stabilizer provide relief for itching, redness and burning sensation and can also prevent symptoms.
For severe eye allergies, you may be prescribed mild corticosteroid drops these should only be used for conjunctivitis caused by allergy, not bacterial infections. Eye allergies cause clear, watery discharges while bacterial infections cause yellow or greenish secretions.
