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How to get eyes to stop itching: The request could not be satisfied

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Allergy or Eye Infection? What to Know – Cleveland Clinic

If you have red, itchy eyes and it’s hay fever time, you likely assume that allergies are causing the problem — and that you can treat it on your own with over-the-counter eye drops. Unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as that.

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Even if you find a guide to help you choose the best eye drops from the drugstore aisle, you may treat for allergies when the real problem is an eye infection.

Before you head to the drugstore, ophthalmologist Richard Gans, MD, shares what you need to know about these two very different conditions.

Allergies or infection? Here’s how you can tell

Whether ragweed or pet dander is the culprit, allergens affect the eyes in the same way.

Eye infections can come from many causes — virus, bacteria, parasite or fungus — and the symptoms vary with the cause, but in general, infections have a longer list of symptoms when compared to allergies.  

The bottom line is that if anything more than tear-like fluids come from your eye or you feel eye pain, it’s likely more than allergies.

To get the right treatment, you’ll need your eye doctor to find out what’s behind your eye problem. Eye allergies aren’t contagious but they can be miserable to deal with. If it’s an infection, you run the risk of damaging your eye and/or spreading it to others. 

How can you avoid eye problems?

You can minimize your risks for both eye allergies and infections. Keeping windows shut and other easily implemented strategies can help you survive seasonal allergies, while an air purifier can help you cope with indoor allergies. Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the most common eye infection, caused by a virus or bacteria. Either way, it’s easily spread.

You can minimize your risks for both eye allergies and infections. Keeping windows shut and other easily implemented strategies can help you survive seasonal allergies, while an air purifier can help you cope with indoor allergies.

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) is the most common eye infection, caused by a virus or bacteria. Either way, it’s easily spread.

Frequent hand washing is just one way to help prevent pink eye and other contagious diseases. Taking care with makeup and contact lenses also helps prevent bacterial pink eye from spreading.

What to do when allergies or infections strike

Even if you fight the good fight, you may still sometimes need relief from itchy, watery eyes. Depending on your diagnosis, here are treatments that can help.

For allergies: Topical medications are usually better than general allergy remedies for treating eye allergies. Many allergy eye drops are extremely successful in treating symptoms. Some actually work to prevent symptoms by preventing the allergic reaction from getting started.

Your doctor may suggest short-term medications to help control inflammation, such as steroid or anti-inflammatory eye drops. Over-the-counter artificial tears also can help keep eyes moistened and flush out allergens.

For infections: Viral infections generally clear up on their own, but cold compresses and lubricating eye drops can minimize symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eye drops to treat a bacterial eye infection.

For eye infections caused by fungi and parasites, the medication will depend on what’s causing the problem. Your eye doctor can help sort that out.

Getting quick diagnosis and treatment is the key when you have irritated eyes. No matter what’s causing the problem, your eye doctor can help you find the right treatment and the relief you need.

5 Tips To Find Relief For Itchy Eyes & Allergies | Spring Allergies

Types of Remedies For Itchy Eyes

If you’re suffering from eye allergies, you’re not alone.

An estimated 1 in 5 Americans deals with the annoyance of eye allergies, or ocular allergies also known as allergic conjunctivitis. While the symptoms caused by eye allergies can be bothersome, they almost never present a permanent threat to eyesight.

However, it’s important to note that itching, redness, burning sensations and puffiness can also be signs of infection. In cases of infection, see your doctor if the symptoms don’t improve with time or with treatment such as over-the-counter remedies.

If you think you may have eye allergies, here are some helpful tips on how to get relief from your red, itchy, and watery eyes.

1.) Avoiding Allergens

Keep an eye on pollen count forecasts. If the count is going to be high, consider staying indoors. A remedy to combat itchy eyes is to replace the filters in your air conditioner and/or furnace. This will help trap allergens while creating a more comfortable environment.

2.) Resist the Temptation to Rub Itchy Eyes!

While rubbing itchy eyes may feel natural, the contact to the eyes will actually release more histamine and aggravate the symptoms. In other words, rubbing itchy eyes may make the problem worse.

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3.) Remove Your Contacts

Did you know that the surface of contact lenses can attract and accumulate airborne allergens? If you are looking for ways to find relief for itchy or irritated eyes, you may want to consider wearing glasses during the allergy season. Also, consider switching to disposable lenses. This way, your contacts aren’t accumulating allergens over a period of days.

4.) Over-the-Counter Eye Drops

Your local pharmacy has many types of over-the-counter eye drops and remedies that may provide relief for your red, watery, and itchy eyes. This approach isn’t only convenient, but also budget friendly. Your doctor can help you find the best brand for your symptoms.

5.) Prescription Medications

If eye drops are not providing relief for moderate to severe, symptoms, it may be a good time to talk to your doctor about what prescription options are available.

Eye Care Solutions

If you need assistance with a vision or eye problem, give our staff of ophthalmologists a call by phone at (877) 852-8463 to book an appointment. We offer eye care solutions to clients such as LASIK eye surgery, glaucoma treatments, cataract surgery, and macular degeneration solutions. Our staff is committed to offering new and innovative treatments to patients.

Pinkeye (for Kids) – Nemours Kidshealth

You rub and rub your eyes, but they won’t stop itching. When you look in the mirror, they are red and puffy. What’s going on? Do you have a strange sickness? No — you have a common problem called conjunctivitis. Most people call it pinkeye.

What Is Conjunctivitis?

Conjunctivitis (say: kon-junk-tih-VY-tis) is the most common eye problem kids can have. It can cause redness; itching; inflammation (say: in-fla-MAY-shun) or swelling; and a clear or white, yellow, or greenish gooey liquid to collect in the eyes.

It’s called pinkeye because the white part of the eye and inside the eyelids become red or pink when you have it. Pinkeye may start in one eye, but many people get conjunctivitis in both eyes at the same time. Conjunctivitis usually doesn’t hurt, but itching can be annoying. Sometimes it feels like you have an eyelash or a speck of sand in your eye and can’t get it out.

Adults, especially parents and teachers who spend a lot of time with kids, can get conjunctivitis too. Conjunctivitis lasts a short time, usually about a week or less, and then goes away by itself or after treatment.

How Do I Get Conjunctivitis?

Kids get conjunctivitis for different reasons. Most kids get it from bacteria (say: bak-TEER-ee-uh) or viruses. This is called infectious (say: in-FEK-shus) conjunctivitis. Bacteria can be seen only with a powerful microscope, and viruses are even smaller than bacteria! Bacteria live on your skin or in your nose or mouth all the time and you never know it. Most don’t ever bother you, but certain kinds of bacteria can cause infections like conjunctivitis.

Sometimes kids get ear infections when they have conjunctivitis because the same bacteria can cause both problems.

Viruses, like the kind that can give you a cold, can cause conjunctivitis, too. Conjunctivitis is easy to catch just through touching. You can get conjunctivitis by touching the hand of an infected friend who has touched his or her eyes. If you then touch your eyes, the infection can be spread to you. Washing your hands often with warm, soapy water is the best way to avoid being infected with conjunctivitis.

Kids also get conjunctivitis because of allergies or because they get something irritating in their eyes, but these kinds of conjunctivitis are not contagious.

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What Should I Do if I Think I Have It?

If your eyes are itchy, red, or more crusty than usual in the morning, you should tell a parent. Don’t wait, because conjunctivitis spreads easily. Your mom or dad probably will call the doctor for an appointment. Wash your hands often, the infection can spread from one eye to other eye.

What Will the Doctor Do?

No one knows exactly how many kids get conjunctivitis each year but your doctor treats many who have it and can spot it pretty quickly. The doctor also will ask you if your eyes have been red and itchy lately or if you have noticed any goopy stuff in your eyes. It’s important to tell the doctor if you know anyone, like a brother or a friend, who has red and itchy eyes too.

Your doctor will know if you have conjunctivitis by looking carefully at your eyes to see if they are red and if any liquid is coming from them. The doctor will want to know that you can see OK and that nothing has gotten into your eye. Finally, your doctor may examine your ears to see if you have an ear infection caused by the same bacteria that can cause conjunctivitis.

If you have conjunctivitis caused by bacteria, the doctor probably will prescribe antibiotic eye drops or ointment for you. Babies are usually given the ointment and kids and adults get the eye drops. Your mom or dad can help you put the medication in your eyes a couple of times a day for about a week. It’s important to use whatever the doctor prescribes so the infection doesn’t come back. Unfortunately, these drops won’t work if a virus is causing your conjunctivitis. If allergies are causing your itchy, red eyes, the doctor may prescribe special eye drops to help with these allergy symptoms.

If your eyes are bothering you, try using a cool or warm washcloth on your eyes. Sometimes, your mom or dad can make you feel better by gently cleaning your eyes with warm water and cotton balls to remove the gooey liquid or crusty stuff. They should be very careful to wash their hands and throw out the cotton balls they use. Washcloths and towels used to clean or dry your eyes should go right into the laundry so no one else gets infected.

Most schools in the United States require a note from a doctor for a kid with pinkeye to return to school. Kids can usually return to school after their first 24 hours of antibiotic eye drops.

Though it might be tough, try not to touch your eyes and remember to wash your hands often. These two things will help keep pinkeye from spreading to your friends and family members. They will appreciate it!

Itchy eyes – causes, treatment and self-help

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What are itchy eyes?

Itchy eyes, also known as ocular pruritis, are a very common problem. Itchy eyes are usually caused by an allergy or by a condition called dry eye syndrome. You might also have itchy eyelids, usually at the base of the eyelashes, and your eyes and/or eyelids might be swollen.

What causes itchy eyes?

The most common cause of itchy eyes is an allergy. Itchy eyes can be triggered by exposure to pollen, animal fur, mould, dust mites, make-up or eye drops. The body reacts to the trigger by releasing histamine, causing the blood vessels in the eye to dilate and irritating the nerve endings so the eyes water. When the eyes get red because of an allergy, it is known as allergic conjunctivitis (also called pink eye or red eye).

Allergic conjunctivitis is more common at certain times of the year, although you can still have it all year round. It also causes a runny nose, scratchy throat and sneezing.

Other types of allergy can give you itchy eyes. For example, a condition called atopic keratoconjunctivitis produces an inflammation of the surface of the eye because of an allergy to a specific substance. Another condition, vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), produces inflammation in the membrane on the surface of the eye. This usually affects young boys.

If you have eczema, a form of dermatitis, around your eyes this too can cause itching.

Other causes of itchy eyes include:

When should I see my doctor?

See a doctor if:

  • your symptoms aren’t getting better
  • you have thick discharge from your eyes
  • your eyes are stuck together
  • you can’t keep your eye open
  • your vision is changed or blurred
  • you have something in your eye
  • you can see a halo around lights
  • it hurts to look at bright lights
  • your pupils are different sizes
  • your eyes are swollen
  • you are in pain

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How are itchy eyes treated?

It is important to see your pharmacist or optometrist to work out the cause of your itchy eyes.

Itching caused by an allergy can be helped with antihistamine or anti-inflammatory eye drops. It can help to use artificial tears (eye drops designed to lubricate dry eyes) to wash away any allergens on the surface of your eye. Sometimes you may need to take an oral antihistamine.

If you have something in your eye, try to wash it out with warm water or a saline solution. If that doesn’t work, you should see a doctor within 24 hours.

Itchy eyes self-help

Relieve the itching by placing a clean, cold, damp washcloth or an ice pack over your closed eyes. You can also try bathing your eyes with cold water. Try not to rub your eyes because this will make the itching worse and could damage them.

If you have dry eye, make the air as humid as possible by placing bowls of water around the room.

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.

13 Home Remedies For Itchy Eyes + Causes And Prevention Tips

Your eyes are the windows through which you see the world around you. Any damage or irritation to them affects your daily life and makes you miserable. Itchy eyes have increasingly become a common problem for many – blame it on the changing weather or increased incidence of allergies. If you are looking for natural remedies to solve this problem, you have landed on the right page. In this article, we have listed 13 natural remedies to help relieve itchy eyes. Scroll down for more information.

Causes And Risk Factors For Itchy Eyes

This condition is also known as ocular pruritus (1). It can be caused by various factors, like allergies, infections, and a few underlying medical conditions.

The common causes of itchy eyes are:

  • Dry Eye Syndrome: Occurs due to lack of moisture and lubrication in the eyes (2).
  • Meibomian Gland Dysfunction: The meibomian glands are located in the upper and lower eyelids and secrete oil. Clogging or abnormal development of these glands may result in an insufficient amount of oil in tears. This may cause the tears to evaporate quickly and results in dry eyes and irritation (3).
  • Blepharitis: Blepharitis is a condition that leads to inflammation of the eyelids. This condition is caused by staphylococcal bacteria or eyelid mites (4).
  • Giant Papillary Conjunctivitis: This is an allergic reaction caused by contact lenses that results in itching (5).
  • Contact Dermatitis: This is an inflammatory skin condition caused due to environmental conditions (6).
  • Infectious Conjunctivitis: Infectious conjunctivitis is caused when eyes are infected by viral and bacterial infections.

The factors that can increase your risk of developing itchy eyes are:

  • Dust, pollen, and animal dander
  • Spending long durations in front of the computer
  • Advancing age
  • Menopause
  • Environmental conditions like dry air, air conditioning, and smoking
  • Medical conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea

The condition is characterized by the following signs and symptoms.

Symptoms Of Itchy Eyes

  • Itchy eyes
  • Constant watering or dry eyes
  • Swelling of the eyes
  • Redness
  • Sensitivity to light
  • A burning sensation in the eyes

Itchy eyes may interfere with the day-to-day activities and need to be treated at the earliest. Here is a list of natural remedies that may help relieve the condition.

Home Remedies To Relieve Itchy Eyes

1. Cucumber Slices

Cucumber contains antioxidants (7). It has a soothing effect on skin irritations and reduces swelling (8). The cooling effect of cucumber may help ease the itching in your eyes.

You Will Need

A cucumber

What You Have To Do
  1. Cut a cucumber into round slices.
  2. Place the slices over closed eyes.
  3. Leave them on until they turn warm.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times daily.

2. Cold Compress

The topical use of ice packs helps in the delivery of oil from the meibomian glands (9). It can also help soothe itching and irritation in the eyes.

You Will Need

An ice pack

What You Have To Do
  1. Place an ice pack on the affected eye.
  2. Leave it on for 1 or 2 minutes and take it off.
  3. Repeat 2 to 3 times.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this multiple times a day. 

3. Tea Bags

The epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) present in green tea improves surface inflammation in dry eyes (10). Hence, the topical application of green tea bags may provide relief from itchy and dry eyes.

You Will Need

Used green tea bags

What You Have To Do
  1. Collect the tea bags used for making teas.
  2. Refrigerate them for 30 minutes.
  3. Place the chilled tea bags on your closed eyelids.
  4. Leave them on for 10 to 15 minutes and then remove.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this whenever your eyes start itching. 

4. Cold Milk

Anecdotal reports suggest that cold milk acts as a cold compress. Thus, the topical application of cold milk may relieve itchiness and swelling in the eyes.

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of cold milk
  • Cotton pads
What You Have To Do
  1. Dip a cotton pad in cold milk.
  2. Close the affected eye and place the soaked pad over it.
  3. Leave it on for about 10 minutes and then remove it.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day. 

5. Water

Water cleanses the eyes and may soothe the irritation instantly.

You Will Need

Water

What You Have To Do

Wash your eyes with purified running water whenever they feel itchy.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day. 

6. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel (Hamamelis) possesses natural anti-inflammatory and astringent properties (11). Hence, it may help in alleviating itchiness and inflammation in the eyes.

You Will Need
  • Witch hazel extract
  • Cotton pads
What You Have To Do
  1. Soak cotton pads in witch hazel.
  2. Place them over closed eyelids.
  3. Remove the witch hazel compress after 10 to 15 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a day. 

7. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera helps in soothing eye inflammation (12). Its topical application may help relieve symptoms associated with itchy eyes.

You Will Need
  • Aloe vera juice
  • Cotton balls
What You Have To Do
  1. Blend aloe vera juice.
  2. Refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
  3. Soak cotton balls in the juice.
  4. Place one over each eye.
  5. Leave them on for 10 to 15 minutes and remove.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this multiple times a day. 

8. Castor Oil

Castor oil has a lubricant effect on the eyes (13). Hence, it may be a good option for treating itchy eyes.

You Will Need
  • Organic castor oil
  • Cotton balls
What You Have To Do
  1. Soak cotton balls with organic castor oil.
  2. Strain the excess oil and place the cotton balls on your closed eyelids.
  3. Leave them on for 15 minutes.
  4. Remove and wash your eyes with water.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1 to 2- times a day. 

9. Potato

Anti-inflammatory therapies can help in treating dry and itchy eyes (14). The glycoalkaloids present in potatoes exhibit such anti-inflammatory properties (15). Hence, the topical application of potatoes may help in reducing itchiness and swelling in the eyes.

You Will Need

A raw potato

What You Have To Do
  1. Refrigerate a raw potato.
  2. Cut it into circular slices and place one slice on each eye.
  3. Leave them for 15 minutes.
  4. Remove the slices.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day. 

10. Rose Water

Rosewater has anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties that can improve dry and inflamed eye conditions (16). Rose water may be used as an effective eyewash.

You Will Need
What You Have To Do
  1. Place two cotton balls soaked with rose water on your eyes.
  2. Leave them on for 15 to 20 minutes and then remove them.
  3. Alternatively, one can use rose water as eye drops.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2-3 times a day.

11. Honey

Honey possesses anti-inflammatory and soothing properties (17). It is considered a therapeutic agent and used for treating eye diseases (18).

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of organic honey

What You Have To Do
  1. Apply organic honey under your eyelids.
  2. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse it off.
  3. Alternatively, you can put a drop of honey in your eyes.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a day. 

12. Essential Oils

a. Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (19). These properties may help soothe itchy and inflamed eyes.

You Will Need
  • 4 drops of lavender oil
  • 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (Carrier oil)
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix four drops of lavender oil with a teaspoon of coconut oil.
  2. Apply the mixture gently under the eyes and around the eyelids.
  3. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day. 

b. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil possesses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties (20). These properties may offer immediate relief from itchy eyes.

You Will Need
  • 3-4 drops of tea tree oil
  • 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (Carrier oil)
What You Have To Do
  1. Add three to four drops of tea tree oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil.
  2. Mix well and apply it all around your eyes.
  3. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this 2 times a day. 

13. Vitamins

The deficiency of a few nutrients may aggravate the symptoms of itchy eyes. Vitamins A, C, and E are important for the proper functioning of your eyes. Individuals with itchy eyes usually have a vitamin A deficiency (21). Vitamins C and E are beneficial for the overall health of the eyes and may be used to reverse many eye infections (22), (23).

You Will Need

Citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, carrots, turnips, kale, mangoes, and cheese.

What You Have To Do

Consume these vitamin-rich foods.

How Often You Should Do This

Consume these foods often.

While these remedies help reduce itching in your eyes, there are high chances of its recurrence if you do not follow these prevention tips.

Prevention Tips

  • Protect your eyes from direct sunlight and allergens by always wearing a pair of sunglasses.
  • Do not wear contact lenses for long durations.
  • Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated.
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes.
  • Flush your eyes with cold water every now and then.

Taking good care of your eyes is very important to avoid itching and swelling. If the itchiness persists, contact an ophthalmologist immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

When to see a doctor for itchy eyes?

You must see a doctor if you experience:

    • Sudden eye pain
    • Vision loss
    • Pain
    • Visual changes
    • Bulging eyes
    • Signs of infection
    • Too much of tearing

What are the best eye drops for itchy eyes?

Itchy eyes are a common symptom of allergies, and in such cases, antihistamine eye drops can help.

How long does it take for an eye irritation to go away?

Normal itching in the eyes usually fades after a good night’s sleep. However, if the itching is due to an underlying infection, it may take one to two weeks to notice an improvement in your condition.