What Causes Itchy Eyes? An Allergy Guide

Imagine having redness, swelling, watering, pain, and discomfort in both of your eyes all the time. If you're someone with itchy eyes, this isn't something that's hard to imagine — it's reality. 

Are you constantly touching, itching, and rubbing your eyes? Although it can be extremely annoying, this is likely just a symptom of something else that is the root of the problem. 

Eye problems are fairly common, and if you're overdue to see the eye doctor, it may be the right time to go. They can help you find a diagnosis, but we will also talk about some of the itchy eye causes you might be dealing with below. 

Keep reading to learn more.

Irritating Skin Products

Even if your skin products aren't meant to be used on your eye, it's likely that some may travel into the eye throughout the day or from your hands. The skin around the eye is particularly sensitive, so certain types of makeup or skincare products can create discomfort that leads to itchy eyes.

If you're wondering what causes itchy eyes all of the sudden and have introduced a new product to your routine, it may be the culprit. Stop using it for a few days to see if the itchiness subsides. 

Seasonal or Year-Round Allergies

Itchy eyes are commonly caused by allergies, such as seasonal allergies or perennial allergies (pet dander, dust mites, etc.). 

It's a good idea to see a doctor to get an allergy diagnosis, even if you already suspect you might have one. You can get rid of seasonal allergies (or at least treat the signs) to decrease itchy eyes and other symptoms. 

Although the cause of your itchy eyes is not likely the rubbing itself, it certainly isn't making things any better. Avoid touching and rubbing your eyes, even when they itch, so that you don't introduce more of the allergen to your eye. 

Dirty Contact Lenses

Contact lenses are a great convenience in these modern times, but if you don't take care of them, your eyes won't be happy. These lenses can be extremely agitating if they aren't clean or if there is a foreign body stuck underneath.

If you think about it, these lenses are literally touching your eyeball for multiple hours a day, so following the instructions to clean and store them properly is crucial if you want to avoid eye pain and itching. 

Dry Eye Conditions

Did you know that you blink less when you're using a computer or phone screen? Blinking less means your eyes get less lubrication, and you may end up with dry eyes as a result.

While reminding yourself to blink more can help, certain medications may be necessary to help treat this problem. If you're constantly working on the computer, or if you think you may have a medical condition that causes dry eye, it's crucial to visit a doctor. 

Get Treatment for Itchy Eyes Today

You don't have to live with itchy eyes. The constant discomfort can drive a person up the wall, so speak with a professional about what your itchy eye treatments may look like.

If you found this article useful, be sure to take a look at other health-related content on the rest of our site next.