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.
Home Remedies And Lifestyle
Try some of these solutions:
- Avoid what causes your itchy eyes.If allergies are what provoke your itchiness, then try to avoid your allergy triggers. If pollen causes an eye allergy flare, try to avoid going outdoors during mid-morning or early evening, when pollen counts tend to be highest.
- Follow any instructions from your eye doctor on how to clean and store your contact lenses. Poor contact lens hygiene can make your lenses more irritating and can lead to an infection.
- Cleanse your eyelids if you have blepharitis. Daily cleaning of your eyelids with water and baby shampoo can help to treat blepharitis.
- Use a cold compress. This simple remedy can easily soothe itchy eyes. Immerse a clean washcloth in cool water, and place it over your eyes. Relax for 10 minutes. Reapply as needed.
- Rest your eyes every 20 minutes if you are focusing on something intently, such as reading or using the computer. When you take a break, focus on an object that is at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Tips For Preventing Itchy Eyes
Here are some steps you can take to prevent itchy eyes:6
- Avoid touching your face or rubbing your eyes. Irritants on your hands can get into your eyes and make them itchy.
- Take allergy medications. If youre someone with seasonal allergies, over-the-counter medication can help.
- Keep your house clean. Cleanliness helps you stop allergens like dust and mold from irritating your eyes.
- Wash your hands. Keeping your hands clean helps avoid bacteria and other germs in your eyes.
- Change your contact lenses. If you wear dailies, make sure to change your contacts daily.
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Can Your Eyeballs Fall Out
Globe luxation is the medical term for when an eyeball protrudes or pops out of the eye socket. This rare condition can happen spontaneously or occur due to head or eye trauma. Some systemic health conditions, such as floppy eyelid syndrome and thyroid eye disease, can also increase the risk of globe luxation.
How Can I Find Relief From My Itchy Allergy Eyes
Allergy symptoms in the eyes theyre not something to scratch at. Called allergic conjunctivitis, some allergy sufferers experience a variety of symptoms in their eyes during allergy season. For those with indoor allergies, allergic conjunctivitis can stick around all year. Learn more about eye allergy symptoms and ways to prevent the itch and irritation in this blog.
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Why Are My Eyes Itchy
Allergies are the most common cause of itchy eyes. Pollen typically causes seasonal allergies, while pet dander and dust mites can cause allergies all year round. When your body encounters these allergens, the immune system releases histamine that acts on the blood vessels and nerves in the eye, causing itching and redness . This reaction is called allergic conjunctivitis.
Nosh On Berries To Fight Histamine Release
A flavonoid called quercetin which is present in blueberries, bilberries, and blackberries and which gives them their trademark color can stop your body from producing and releasing histamine. One study even found that when people took a quercetin glycoside 4 weeks before pollen counts became high in the atmosphere, they experienced relief from symptoms such as itching and watering of the eyes caused by cedar pollen.12 So start snacking on yummy berries before pollen season gets here to beat your eye allergy.13
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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.
How Can I Get Rid Of My Allergies
While there are several ways to prevent allergies from flaring, there are also ways to improve your sensitivity to allergies through allergen immunotherapy.
Allergen immunotherapy is a gradual increase in exposure to different allergens. Its especially useful for environmental allergies, like pollen, mold and dust.
The purpose is to train your immune system to not react when allergens are present. Its often used when other treatments have not worked. Types of allergen immunotherapy include allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy.
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Why The Itchy Watery Eyes
When allergens reach the surface of the eye, cells that are part of our immune system release histamine, causing inflammation of the eye tissues and specifically in the conjunctiva the mucous membrane covering the front of the eye and under the eyelids. This process leads to the swelling and itching symptoms of eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis.
Tips To Ease Swollen Eyes
Remember, these are your eyes were talking about, so check with your doctor or ophthalmologist before you try any treatment. But if youre looking for relief, consider the following home remedies and medical interventions.
Wash your face. Washing your face is one of the first things you should do to combat itchy, swollen eyes, says Ogbogu. It can help wash away the allergens sticking to your skin and eyelashes.
Rinse out the eyes. Rinse out the eyes if you can with a little bit of water, and thats usually helpful, Ogbogu says. That will loosen the allergens from the inside of your eyes and help to flush them out.
Apply a cold compress. Cold compresses around the eyes can be helpful with itching and swelling, says Ogbogu. Soak a towel or washcloth in cold water or refrigerate a damp cloth or eye pillow. Then lie down with the compress across your eyes to let the coolness reduce swollen eyelids.
Try allergy eye drops. Ogbogu suggests trying an over-the-counter eye drop made to soothe itchy, swollen eyes caused by allergies. An ophthalmologist might prescribe an antihistamine eye drop. The AAO cautions that using these drops for more than three days may actually increase irritating symptoms.
Mast cell stabilizer eye drops can also be effective, preventing the release of histamines in your body. Unlike antihistamines, these need to be administered before exposure to an allergen in order to prevent itching, notes the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
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How Do You Relieve Eye Itching Sensations
The best way to relieve your nighttime itchy eyes will depend on whats causing it. If a household product comes into contact with your eyes and causes an itching sensation, the first thing to do is check the product label for specific instructions. Although the itching or stinging may be significant at first, gently rinsing the eyes with plain water usually provides quick relief.
If you have allergies, your doctor may prescribe specific eye drops to minimize any itching you may experience during allergy season. If you are taking any allergy medicine or any other medicine that you think is causing your eyes to itch, talk with your doctor before you stop using it.
The itching sensation in the eyes caused by dry eyes can usually be relieved with lubricating eye drops . Look for a brand that does not contain any preservatives, especially if you plan to use these drops frequently. If your discomfort persists, let your eye doctor know, as other dry eye treatments may be more effective in relieving the itching sensation in the eye.
Cold compresses applied gently to your closed eyelids can also relieve the itching sensation in your eyes.
Can I Prevent Itchy Eyes
You can try avoiding things that can irritate the eyes, such as dry air, pollen, wind, chemicals, cigarette smoke, dust, and strong smells. Avoiding these things might help prevent itchy eyes in the future. If your itchy eye is due to an allergen, avoiding the trigger might also help prevent itchiness in the eye. For this, you can get in touch with a doctor to get an assessment.1
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Other Home Remedies For Itchy Eyes
1. Cold compress
When dealing with a mild case of allergic itching, you can use a cold cloth or a cold compress over the eyes to ease the discomfort of itching. You can also try splashing your eyes with cold water.1
2. Eyewash
If your eye itching is due to some particles or dust in your eyes, you can remove it from your eyes by using warm water or saline solution.1
3. Protective Measures for Itchy Eyes
To get relief from itchy eyes, you can follow these protective measures to avoid exposure of eyes to external particles:
Itchy Eyes: Symptoms Causes & Treatment In Denver
Itchy eyes are often a symptom of a bigger problemallergiesand they are a nuisance that affects millions of people. But the experienced doctors at Advanced ENT & Allergy Center can help determine the cause of your itchy eyes and develop a personalized treatment plan so that you can find lasting relief from frustrating allergy symptoms.
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That You Can Add To Your Pantry
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Drink Oolong Tea To Ease Allergy Symptoms
Oolong tea, which is essentially tea thats been partially fermented, has been found to help relieve the symptoms of eye and nasal allergies. A Japanese study found that it reduced allergy symptoms like itchy eyes and tears even during a period when pollen count was high.10 Oolong tea can add to the effects of anti-allergy agents and even help you cut the use of these medicines. So sip on a cup of soothing tea to deal with that irritating allergy.
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What Is The Outlook For Eyes That Itch At Night
If your eyes are itching at night due to an allergic reaction, your outlook is good. Once youve identified the substance that is causing your itching, you can avoid it.
If eyestrain is causing your itching, your outlook is also good. You can work with your doctor to identify and change any habits that may be contributing to strain.
Blepharitis rarely goes away entirely, but you can manage your symptoms by practicing good hygiene and trying different treatments prescribed by your doctor.
For Healthy And Vital Fats
This superfood can give you all the healthy and vital fats your body needs in a crisisâwithout needing any refrigeration to keep good for at least one year!
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This one saved an entire village of Swedish farmers in 1869 when heavy avalanches blocked off their only road down from the mountains for months.
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Can Allergies Cause Dry Eyes
If your eyes feel dry and irritated in the winter months when there are fewer outdoor allergens, then you may have a form of tear dysfunction known as dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This is not an allergic reaction it happens when your eyes either do not make enough tears or the tears they make go away very quickly.
Many people have dry eye, including about one-third of older adults. Its commonly found in people with eye allergies as well. Symptoms are sometimes worse when its cold or windy outside, after you turn on the heat in your home, or if youre in a dry environment. Some medications, including oral antihistamines, sleeping pills and anti-depressants, can cause symptoms.
Theres Something In Your Eye
Obvious, yes! Sometimes something can get caught in your eyelid or tears, causing your eyes to feeloff. Sometimes these are organic pieces of grass, hay, or other debris that are kicked up by the wind, or loose eyelashes which happen to get stuck under the eyelids, Dr. Kanesa-thasan says. That can lead to irritation and itchiness.
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A clue that your itchy eye could be due to something pesky in it versus something else, per Dr. Kanesa-thasan: It usually just happens in one eye, not both.
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When To See A Doctor For Itchy Eyes
Occasional eye itchiness is normal. If you have itchy eyes that are red, painful, or have discharge, see an eye doctor. If you have a bacterial infection, youll need to use prescription antibiotic eye drops.
If your itchy eyes are due to dry eye, allergies, or a more chronic problem, an eye doctor can help pinpoint the cause and explain various treatments.
How To Relieve Itchy Eyes
The best relief for itchy eyes usually depends on the source of the itch. But doctors says these steps may help you get relief, and fast:
- Use over-the-counter lubricant drops. Schornack specifically recommends preservative-free drops, since preservatives may irritate your eyes. This can help re-wet your eyeballs and rinse out any allergens that may be lurking on the surface.
- Try antihistamine drops. These can help calm your eyes if your itchiness is on the more severe end of the spectrum. Mast cell stabilizer combination eye drops are usually effective, Orr says.
- Opt for a cool compress. Wetting a washcloth with cold or cool water, wringing it out, and applying to your eyes can help you find relief, Shibayama says.
- Use an oral antihistamine. About 99 percent sure that your itchy eyes are due to allergies? An oral antihistamine can help, Schornack says.
- Clean your eyelids. If you think you might have blepharitis, gently cleaning your eyelids and eyelashes with baby shampoo can be helpful, Orr says.
- Dont rub your eyes. Its super tempting, but Dr. Kanesa-thasan says its best to take a pass. This can worsen the discomfort and risks damage to the eye surface, he says.
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Visit A Professional Immunologist Or Allergist
Theres only one way to find out if you have an allergy thats causing itchy eyes at night. Your doctor may refer you to a professional immunologist or allergist for a more thorough evaluation.
Common triggers includebut are not limited topet hair and dust mites in the home. Consult your physician to see whether switching your medications or visiting a professional immunologist or allergist might help find and alleviate the source of nighttime itching in your eyes.
How To Treat Dry Itchy Eyes
Do NOT Rub Your Eyes
It is important to avoid rubbing or itching your eyes as much as possible when you experience discomfort. Forcefully rubbing your eyes can be extremely damaging to this sensitive part of your bodyespecially if the cause of your itchiness is a foreign object in your eye. Rubbing can scratch your cornea, which leads to more serious issues.
Apply a Cold Compress
Closing your eyes and placing a clean, cold, damp washcloth over your eyes can immediately alleviate the symptoms of itchy eyes. This reduces inflammation and itchiness in and around the eyes. While a cold compress wont address your symptoms long-term, it can be soothing to the eyes and repeated as many times as needed.
Treat Your Allergies
If you suspect that allergies are causing your itchy eyes, we recommend meeting with an experienced ENT specialist to get to the root of the issue and find the best solution for your allergy symptoms. Its difficult to truly treat allergies without identifying specific allergens. At Advanced ENT & Allergy, we start by testing for allergies to determine your exact triggers. With this information, we can offer several individualized treatment options that may include:
Avoid Irritants
Antihistamine Medications
Antihistamine Eye Drops
Allergy Drops Can Cure Allergies & Treat Symptoms
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Can Itchy Eyes Be Prevented
If the itching is caused by an allergy, identify what you are allergic to and remove it. Your doctor can help you and may refer you to a specialist immunologist or allergist if a more complicated assessment is needed. For example, house dust mites and pet fur are common triggers. You should also talk to your doctor about whether changing your medicines could help prevent itchy eyes.
Try to avoid things that can irritate the eyes, such as dry air, wind, pollen, cigarette smoke, dust, chemicals, strong smells, or staring at a screen for a long time. Make a conscious effort to blink more often to lubricate your eyes.
Always use hypoallergenic products near your eyes and use eye protection to prevent pollen, dust or sand from getting into your eyes. Eating a diet with plenty of vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids can also help.
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