How to get eye to stop itching. Eye Cold: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatment Strategies

23.07.202317.06.2023 by alexxlab

What are the primary symptoms of an eye cold. How does an eye cold differ from other forms of conjunctivitis. What causes an eye cold and how can it be treated effectively. How long does an eye cold typically last.

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Understanding Eye Colds: A Comprehensive Overview

An eye cold, also known as viral conjunctivitis, is a common ocular condition that affects many individuals. It’s essential to understand the nature of this ailment to effectively manage and prevent its spread. Eye colds are highly contagious and can affect one or both eyes, often accompanying respiratory infections.

Eye colds typically resolve within 7 to 10 days, though in some cases, they may persist for up to three weeks. During this period, it’s crucial to take proper precautions to avoid transmitting the infection to others.

Recognizing the Symptoms of an Eye Cold

Identifying an eye cold early can help in managing the condition and preventing its spread. The following symptoms are commonly associated with eye colds:

Reddening of the whites of the eyes
Increased sensitivity to light
Swollen eyelids
Clear, white, or yellow eye discharge
Watery eyes

Can eye cold symptoms vary in severity? Indeed, the intensity of symptoms can differ from person to person. Some individuals may experience mild discomfort, while others might find the condition more bothersome.

Distinguishing Eye Colds from Other Forms of Conjunctivitis

While eye colds fall under the broader category of conjunctivitis, it’s important to differentiate them from bacterial and allergic forms of the condition. Here’s how they differ:

Eye Cold (Viral Conjunctivitis)

Causes watery discharge
Often accompanies respiratory infections
Usually affects both eyes

Bacterial Conjunctivitis

Produces thick discharge
May occur alongside ear infections
Often affects only one eye initially

Allergic Conjunctivitis

Associated with high pollen counts
Causes itchy eyes
May be accompanied by other allergy symptoms

Is it possible to distinguish between these types of conjunctivitis without medical assistance? While there are characteristic differences, a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional is always recommended to ensure accurate treatment.

Unveiling the Causes of Eye Colds

Understanding the root cause of eye colds is crucial for prevention and management. The primary culprit behind this condition is the adenovirus, which is also responsible for many respiratory infections.

Are there other viruses that can cause eye colds? While adenoviruses are the most common cause, other viruses can occasionally lead to similar symptoms. In rare cases, certain sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause eye infections with similar symptoms.

It’s worth noting that ocular herpes, although less common, can present symptoms similar to conjunctivitis. This underscores the importance of seeking professional medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diagnosing an Eye Cold: What to Expect

When you visit a healthcare provider with symptoms of an eye cold, they will typically follow these steps to diagnose the condition:

Review your medical history
Assess your symptoms
Conduct a thorough eye examination
In some cases, collect a sample of eye discharge for testing

Can an eye cold be diagnosed without laboratory tests? In most cases, experienced healthcare providers can diagnose an eye cold based on symptoms and examination alone. However, in some instances, laboratory tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis or rule out other conditions.

Effective Treatment Strategies for Eye Colds

While eye colds typically resolve on their own, there are several measures you can take to alleviate symptoms and prevent the spread of infection:

Apply warm compresses to the affected eye(s)
Use artificial tears to relieve discomfort
Remove contact lenses until the infection clears
Discard and replace eye makeup used before or during the infection
Practice good hygiene, including frequent hand washing

Do antibiotics help in treating eye colds? Unlike bacterial conjunctivitis, eye colds do not respond to antibiotic treatment. In fact, using antibiotic eye drops for viral conjunctivitis may prolong the duration of the infection.

Prevention: Key Strategies to Avoid Eye Colds

Preventing the spread of eye colds is crucial, given their highly contagious nature. Here are some effective prevention strategies:

Avoid touching your eyes with your hands
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
Clean and store contact lenses properly
Change towels and washcloths daily
Avoid sharing personal items like towels and washcloths
Regularly change pillowcases
Wash items that have been in contact with your face and eyes in hot, soapy water

How effective are these prevention methods? When consistently practiced, these hygiene measures can significantly reduce the risk of contracting or spreading eye colds.

Potential Complications of Untreated Eye Colds

While most eye colds resolve without complications, in rare cases, severe infections can lead to more serious issues:

Inflammation of the cornea
Potential vision impairment
Scarring in extreme cases

Can all complications be prevented with timely treatment? While prompt treatment significantly reduces the risk of complications, it’s important to note that each case is unique. Regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider can help monitor the progress of the infection and prevent potential complications.

Eye colds, while generally benign, can cause significant discomfort and inconvenience. By understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options, you can effectively manage this condition and prevent its spread. Remember, maintaining good hygiene practices is key to avoiding eye colds and other forms of conjunctivitis. If you experience persistent or severe symptoms, always consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What Is an Eye Cold? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More

An eye cold is a viral form of conjunctivitis, also called pink eye. It can affect one or both eyes.

An eye cold is the viral form of conjunctivitis. You might also hear an eye cold referred to as pink eye. “Pink eye” is a general term to describe any form of conjunctivitis, which can be viral, bacterial, or caused by allergies. “Eye cold” refers only to the viral type, and it can be in one or, more often, both eyes.

Eye colds take about 7 to 10 days to clear up and are very contagious. If you have an eye cold, it’s best to avoid contact with others and wash your hands often during your illness.

Signs of an eye cold (viral conjunctivitis) include general conjunctivitis symptoms like reddening of the whites of your eyes, sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids, and clear, white, or yellow discharge from your eyes. If you have an eye cold, you might have watery discharge from your eyes.

Eye cold versus bacterial or allergic conjunctivitis

An eye cold will usually cause a watery rather than thick discharge and may accompany a common cold or respiratory tract infection.

Bacterial conjunctivitis often occurs at the same time as an ear infection, and the discharge tends to be thick instead of watery and often affects just one eye.

Allergic conjunctivitis generally happens when pollen counts are high, and other allergic symptoms might be present, like itchy eyes.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor so that they can determine the cause and the right treatment.

An adenovirus is the most common cause of an eye cold. Adenoviruses are some of the same viruses that cause head and chest colds. This is why handwashing is an important part of care and prevention. Conjunctivitis (both viral and bacterial) is very easy to spread to other people.

Viruses are the most common cause of pink eye caused by an infection in general, usually clearing up on their own in a few days to two weeks.

In extremely rare cases, the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) gonorrhoea and chlamydia are the cause of eye infections and share symptoms of conjunctivitis. Ocular herpes, or eye herpes, is also a less likely but complicated viral infection that shares many of the same symptoms as conjunctivitis.

There are several conditions that appear similar to conjunctivitis, like eyelid cellulitis and keratitis, which is why it’s important that you visit your doctor for a diagnosis.

A severe eye cold and other forms of conjunctivitis can cause inflammation in the cornea that may ultimately affect your vision or even lead to scarring if untreated. A prompt examination and treatment from your healthcare provider can prevent this from happening.

Your primary care doctor will usually be able to diagnose conjunctivitis based on your medical history, your symptoms, and an examination of your eye. In some cases, your doctor may collect some of the discharge from your eye to have it tested.

An ophthalmologist or optometrist can also diagnose conjunctivitis.

In most cases, an eye cold simply runs its course and clears up on its own in 7 to 10 days or less. But it can take as long as two or three weeks to clear up for some people.

An eye cold is very contagious, especially while you still have symptoms. Unlike bacterial conjunctivitis, an eye cold won’t respond to antibiotics. In fact, use of antibiotic eye drops can make viral conjunctivitis last longer.

Your treatment will focus on relieving your eye cold symptoms and preventing further spread of the infection.

Your doctor may recommend bathing your eyes in warm water, using warm or cold compresses, and sometimes using artificial tears.

If you wear contact lenses, you’ll need to remove them until your eye cold is gone. If your lenses are disposable, it’s best to discard the ones you’ve been wearing so you don’t reinfect your eyes. If you wear hard lenses, you’ll need to remove and disinfect them. Don’t put the lenses back in until you are completely clear of symptoms.

You should also discard any eye or face makeup, like foundation, you used before or while you had your eye cold.

Practicing good hygiene is the most effective way to prevent catching and spreading an eye cold.

Avoid touching your eyes with your hands.
Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
Wash your hands before removing or putting in contact lenses.
Properly store and clean contact lenses.

These four tips will also help you avoid spreading infection to your eyes when you have a chest or head cold.

In addition, you also need to take care of certain household items you use routinely:

Change your towels and washcloths daily.
Don’t share towels and washcloths with anybody else.
Change your pillowcases regularly.
Wash items that have touched your face and eyes in hot, soapy water.

The best way to prevent spreading an eye cold is to stay at home until it has cleared.

When can you return to school or work after an eye cold?

As viral (and bacterial) conjunctivitis is highly contagious, most schools ask that you keep your child home until the infection has cleared up.

Employers are sometimes more flexible. If you have an eye cold, talk to your employer and see what their policy is on whether or not you need to be absent from work.

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of an eye cold, contact your doctor. They can determine the cause of the infection. Your doctor will be able to rule out serious conditions like a corneal abrasion or complications from STDs. If your doctor assures you that the cause of your symptoms is viral, then you should focus on relieving your symptoms to make yourself comfortable for the next few days to weeks.

Your eye cold should clear up on its own usually within a week, but sometimes it takes as long as three weeks. Make sure you practice good hygiene during this time to prevent the illness from spreading or worsening.

Home remedies, causes, and avoiding triggers

Keeping the eyes clean and avoiding allergens can often remedy itchy eyes. Other home remedies for itchy eyes include eye drops and compresses.

People generally move less and relax more when they lie in bed at night than they do when they are up and about during the day. The extra stillness may make a person more aware of their body than they are during an active day.

With this increased awareness, people may begin to notice that their eyes are itchy.

Many underlying problems and conditions can cause itchy eyes at night.

These underlying causes include:

Eyestrain: Caused from staring at a computer screen for too long or driving long distances.
Allergies: Contact with a foreign substance that causes itchy, red eyes, such as makeup, pollen, and dander.
Dry eye: A condition where the eye does not get enough lubrication throughout the day.
Atopic dermatitis: A type of eczema that causes red, itchy skin as well as dry eyes.
Conjunctivitis: A highly contagious infection often referred to as pink eye that causes red, itchy, and burning eyes.
Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelid caused by the follicle becoming blocked.
Meibomian gland dysfunction: When the meibomian glands are blocked and do not produce enough liquid to lubricate the eyes.
Some medications: Common culprits that can cause dry eyes include antihistamines and blood pressure medication.

People with persistent itchy eyes at night should see a doctor to diagnose the cause.

A doctor will likely start by reviewing the person’s medical history and symptoms. The doctor will then probably do a physical exam, which includes checking the person’s eyes and eyelids. If there is any discharge on the person’s eyelids, the doctor may take a sample of the discharge with a swab and send it to a lab for testing.

If a doctor suspects that an allergy is causing the itchy eyes, they may do a patch test. They might also recommend a follow-up visit with an eye doctor.

Share on PinterestUsing a humidifier may help to prevent the eyes and skin from becoming dry and itchy.

Some home remedies can help treat and prevent itchy eyes at night including:

applying warm and cool compresses
keeping the eye area clean
using a humidifier
avoiding allergens
using eye drops
following the 20-20-20 rule

The 20-20-20 rule

Spending too long on a computer or doing other activities that may cause eyestrain can make a person’s eyes itchy at night. People with itchy eyes can try to follow the 20-20-20 rule to lessen eyestrain.

For every 20 minutes of computer work, people should look away from the screen and look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds, which will allow the eyes to relax.

Warm and cool compresses

People can try applying a compress for immediate relief of itchy eyes. Warm compresses over the eyes may help relieve itching due to allergies. If itchy eyes feel warm and swollen, a cold compress on the eyes might help ease the itch.

Keeping the eye area clean

Dirt, chemicals, and makeup can all cause itchy eyes.

Keeping the eyes clean at night can help relieve the itch. Firstly, a person may need to flush the irritant from the eye with cool water to clean the eye area.

Sometimes, gently rinsing the eyes with warm water on a washcloth may be enough.

People who wear makeup should consider removing all their makeup before cleaning the eye.

Using a humidifier

Dry air can make eyes itch because it can cause the eyes to dry out. People with itchy eyes may want to use a humidifier in their bedroom, particularly during the winter or in dry climates.

Discontinue contact lens use

Wearing contact lenses can cause eyes to be itchy even at night. Some people may wear their contact lenses overnight, which may lead to further itching.

Contact lens users who get itchy eyes at night might think about taking their contact lenses out to give their eyes a break until the itching stops.

Also, changing the type of contact lens a person wears may help. A disposable contact lens may help prevent future eye irritation that can lead to itchy eyes at night.

Avoid allergens

People with allergies should take steps to try to avoid any allergens that cause their eyes to itch at night.

Sleeping with the windows closed, for example, can help reduce exposure to pollen and other outdoor allergens that may make eyes itch.

Keeping pets out of the bedroom can help reduce the amount of dander people come into contact with at night. Dusting regularly and changing the sheets can also help limit dust mites.

Sometimes, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments do not ease itching.

Some people may require medical treatments including the following:

oral and topical antibiotics for bacterial infections, such as bacterial conjunctivitis
artificial tears to lubricate eyes
antihistamines to help control allergic reactions that lead to itchy eyes
steroid eye drops for blepharitis and allergies
medications that affect the immune system for blepharitis
mast cell stabilizers for allergies
allergy shots for people with more severe allergies

Preventing itchy eyes at night often starts with figuring out what might be triggering them. Some people may find keeping a journal of potential triggers helpful in figuring out what to avoid.

Avoiding triggers can help prevent or at least reduce the number of instances where the eyes become itchy.

People can take some steps during the day to help prevent eyestrain that can cause itchy eyes.

Some steps include:

taking breaks when driving long distances
wearing polarized sunglasses when outside or while driving
reading in well-lit areas
taking breaks when working at a computer or staring at other screens for long periods of time
using artificial tears throughout the day
wearing contacts or glasses
positioning computer screens slightly lower than eye level and about a foot from the face

People may try the following if allergies are the cause:

reducing mold in the home through cleaning and using a dehumidifier
keeping windows closed at night and during the day
removing eye makeup thoroughly before going to bed
cleaning up pet hair regularly
using bedding that blocks dust mites
avoiding touching the eyes before washing hands, especially after being in contact with a trigger, such as pet hair

A person can avoid some diseases, such as pink eye, by avoiding physical contact with a person who has the condition. Also, it is a good idea not to share products that come in contact with the eyes of other people.

Most cases of itchy eyes at night are not serious and are easy to treat. People who experience eyestrain and allergic reactions can often prevent them occurring by avoiding activities or substances that trigger itchy eyes.

When blepharitis causes itchy eyes, treatment focuses on managing the symptoms. Often, blepharitis does not go away completely, but proper treatment and good hygiene can keep symptoms to a minimum.

Article resources

Asbell, P., Vingrys, A. J., Tan, J., Ogundele, A., Downie, L. E., Jerkins, G., & Shettle, L. (2018, May). Clinical outcomes of fixed versus as-needed use of artificial tears in dry eye disease: A 6-week, observer-masked phase 4 clinical trial. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 59(6), 2275–2280. Retrieved from http://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2680678
Blepharitis. (n. d.). Retrieved from http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/blepharitis?sso=y
Conjunctivitis. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/conjunctivitis?sso=y
Dry eye. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye?sso=y
Duncan, K., & Jeng, B. H. (2015, July). Medical management of blepharitis. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, 26(4), 289–294. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26058027
Eye allergy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://acaai.org/allergies/types/eye-allergies
Koo, L., Peng, D., & Change, E. (2006, November 15). Solving the mystery of the itchy eyelid. Retrieved from https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/solving-the-mystery-of-the-itchy-eyelid
Turbert, D. (2017, September 1). What are eye allergies? Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/allergies

Scientists figured out how to scratch properly

09 September 2020, 08:28
Science

100%

Itchy places should not be scratched, but rubbed, scientists from the USA advise – this activates the launch of nervous reactions that suppress itching. It is important to remember this so as not to damage the mucous membranes and other sensitive areas.

Itchy places should not be scratched, but rubbed, experts at the University of Miami advise. This contributes to the launch of nervous reactions that suppress itching. They talked about this in more detail in an article in the magazine Journal of Neuroscience .

Previously, scientists have already noted that rubbing or stroking the skin can stop itching by activating certain mechanoreceptors – the endings of nerve fibers that respond to mechanical pressure or other mechanical influences. However, what is behind this process remained unknown.

To find out, the researchers applied irritants to the skin of mice that caused itching, and then stroked the affected areas. At the same time, scientists recorded the reaction of neurons in the spinal cord. It turned out that this action triggers the work of neurons in the dorsal horns associated with sensitivity. When the researchers stopped petting the mice, neuronal activity decreased.

These neurons respond to both itching and stroking, the researchers explain. An increase in their activity was associated with touch, while a decrease was associated with a decrease in itching. The same effect was achieved by directly stimulating touch-sensitive nerve endings using optogenetics. At the same time, inhibition of neurons associated with itching did not reduce the response of dorsal horn neurons.

“Overall, the data show that optogenetic stimulation of sensory neurons is able to suppress itch behavior without affecting pain behavior,” the scientists conclude.

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Stroking leads to a cascade of reactions, as a result of which “antipruritic” intercalary (connected only with other neurons) neurons of the spinal cord are activated, the authors explain. This results in relief of itching and the mice stop itching.

“Itching is known to be relieved by rubbing or stroking the skin,” the researchers wrote. – Rubbing or stroking the skin is commonly used to relieve itching in sensitive areas such as the eyes or nose, and is also often used by people with chronic itching. We investigated the mechanisms of touch-induced itch reduction in mice. Stroking the skin reduced the activity of scratching sensory neurons in the spinal cord.”

Previously, members of the Duke University Medical Center in the USA described the molecular process of local itching that can occur after insect bites or skin contact with cosmetics and household chemicals.

In 2013, the same research team identified the main culprit in post-UV pain, the TRPV4 ion channel. Starting the new study, the researchers wondered if TRPV4 is involved in itchiness. In the experiments, the scientists bred mice with a reduced amount of TRPV4 in their skin cells and then exposed the animals to itch-causing chemicals. It was noticed that even with a direct hit of chemistry on the skin, the mice began to itch less.

The researchers came to the conclusion that it is TRPV4 in the upper layer of the skin that allows ions of irritating substances to pass through cell membranes, and, accordingly, drugs should be directed against this ion channel. At the next stage of research, dermatologists discovered that in addition to TRPV4, the pERC (protein extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) enzyme is involved in the occurrence of itching. The first test drugs that block the work of TRPV4 and pERC completely eliminated itching in mice. However, before using TRPV4- and pERC-blockers for human treatment, the drugs must once again undergo clinical trials, since the disabling of these enzymes, which exist not only in skin cells, can lead to side effects.

Further research will be aimed at identifying the causes of varying duration of itching. The varying susceptibility of individuals to itch also raises the question of how much TRPV4 is involved.

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