Itchy eyes can be triggered by allergies, environmental pollutants, infection, and some conditions affecting the eyes. The treatments and home remedies depend on the cause.
When your eyes become itchy and red, you’ll do anything to relieve the irritation. But knowing the cause of your itchy eyes can help you find the right treatment and get some relief.
The differences between symptoms of allergy and infection, for example, is important to understand so you don’t make your condition worse.
The following are eight causes of itchy eyes and possible treatment options, including home remedies and prescription medications.
1. Seasonal allergies
If you get itchy eyes around the same time every year, you may have a seasonal allergy to ragweed or something else that blooms and releases pollen during certain times of year.
One way to tell if you’re dealing with an allergy, as opposed to an eye infection, is that you’ll have other allergic reactions, such as sneezing and nasal congestion.
Allergic symptoms are triggered by histamine, a compound released by cells to defend against allergens. Histamine causes an inflammatory response, and itchy eyes are among the common signs of histamine at work. One way to reduce symptoms is to avoid contact with seasonal allergens. Strategies include:
- Pay attention to local weather reports and stay indoors when pollen counts are high.
- Keep home and car windows closed during pollen season.
- Take showers and wash clothes more frequently to help keep pollen away from your airways.
- Wear a pollen mask when you have to be outside.
Over-the-counter antihistamine medications can be helpful in controlling symptoms.
If your symptoms are especially serious every year, you may benefit from a prescription allergy medication. Because these medications can take some time to be effective, your doctor may recommend that you start taking them a few weeks prior to the onset of your allergy season.
2. Perennial allergies
Unlike seasonal allergies, perennial allergies are those you may have all year long. Things like mold, dust, and pet dander are among the more common perennial eye allergies.
You also may be allergic to certain products in your home. The contact lens solution you use may be irritating your eyes. Or, the soap or shampoo you use may be the problem.
If environmental allergens have been eliminated as the cause of your itchy eyes, try taking a break from a product that comes in contact with your eyes. It may be a process of elimination that leads to a solution, but it could be well worth your time.
To find out whether you have an allergy, an allergist can administer a skin test for specific allergens. Small amounts of allergens, such as ragweed or pet dander, are administered just under the skin to see if the skin around the injection site shows any kind of reaction. These tests are safe for most children and adults.
In addition to trying to reduce your exposure to an allergen, you can take medications, such as antihistamines or corticosteroids, to help reduce inflammation.