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.