What causes red, itchy eyes at night. How can you relieve itchy eyes using home remedies. When should you seek medical treatment for persistent eye irritation. What are the best ways to prevent eye itchiness and irritation.

Common Causes of Red, Itchy Eyes

Red, itchy eyes can be an uncomfortable and frustrating problem, especially when they occur at night and disrupt sleep. Understanding the underlying causes is crucial for effective treatment and prevention. Some of the most common reasons for eye irritation include:

• Eyestrain from prolonged screen time or driving
• Allergic reactions to substances like pollen, pet dander, or makeup
• Dry eye syndrome
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
• Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
• Meibomian gland dysfunction
• Side effects of certain medications

Why do eye symptoms often worsen at night? As people relax and become less active in the evening, they may become more aware of physical discomfort. Additionally, factors like decreased blinking while sleeping can exacerbate dryness and irritation.

Effective Home Remedies for Itchy Eyes

Fortunately, there are several home remedies that can provide relief for itchy eyes:

1. Warm and Cool Compresses

Applying compresses can offer immediate relief from eye discomfort. For allergy-related itching, warm compresses may be beneficial. If your eyes feel warm and swollen, try using a cool compress to ease the itch and reduce inflammation.

2. Proper Eye Hygiene

Keeping the eye area clean is crucial for preventing and relieving irritation. Gently rinse your eyes with cool or warm water using a clean washcloth. If you wear makeup, be sure to remove it thoroughly before cleansing the eye area.

3. Humidifier Use

Dry air can exacerbate eye itchiness by causing the eyes to dry out. Using a humidifier in your bedroom, especially during winter or in dry climates, can help maintain proper eye moisture.

4. The 20-20-20 Rule

To reduce eyestrain from prolonged screen time, follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This simple practice allows your eyes to relax and can prevent irritation.

5. Avoiding Allergens

If allergies are the culprit, take steps to minimize exposure to triggers. Keep windows closed at night, regularly dust and change bedding, and consider keeping pets out of the bedroom to reduce contact with allergens.

When to Seek Medical Treatment for Itchy Eyes

While home remedies can often provide relief, persistent or severe eye irritation may require medical intervention. Consider consulting a doctor if:

• Symptoms persist despite home treatments
• You experience severe pain or vision changes
• There’s discharge from the eyes
• You suspect an infection

A healthcare professional can perform a thorough examination, including reviewing your medical history and conducting tests if necessary. They may recommend treatments such as:

• Oral or topical antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Artificial tears for lubrication
• Antihistamines to control allergic reactions
• Steroid eye drops for conditions like blepharitis

Preventing Eye Irritation: Best Practices

Prevention is often the best approach to maintaining eye health and comfort. Incorporate these practices into your routine to minimize the risk of developing itchy, red eyes:

1. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands regularly and avoiding touching your eyes
2. Use protective eyewear when exposed to potential irritants or allergens
3. Take regular breaks during screen time to reduce eyestrain
4. Stay hydrated to support overall eye health
5. Maintain a clean living environment to reduce exposure to dust and allergens
6. Consider using hypoallergenic cosmetics and skincare products

The Impact of Contact Lenses on Eye Comfort

For contact lens wearers, proper lens care and usage are crucial for preventing eye irritation. Consider these tips:

• Remove contact lenses before sleeping, unless specifically designed for overnight wear
• Clean and store lenses according to manufacturer instructions
• Replace lenses as recommended by your eye care professional
• Consider switching to daily disposable lenses to reduce the risk of irritation
• Give your eyes regular breaks from contact lens wear

How can contact lens wearers minimize eye discomfort? If you experience persistent itching or irritation, try taking a break from wearing your lenses for a few days. This can allow your eyes to recover and may help identify if the lenses are contributing to the problem.

Understanding and Managing Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that can cause significant discomfort, including itching and redness. It occurs when the eyes don’t produce enough tears or when the tears evaporate too quickly. To manage dry eye syndrome:

• Use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops regularly
• Consider using a thicker ointment at night for extended moisture
• Incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into your diet or through supplements
• Use a warm compress to stimulate tear production
• Consider lifestyle changes like reducing screen time and avoiding smoky environments

In some cases, your doctor may recommend prescription medications or procedures to manage chronic dry eye. These might include cyclosporine eye drops, punctal plugs, or intense pulsed light therapy.

The Role of Diet and Nutrition in Eye Health

Your diet plays a crucial role in maintaining overall eye health and can impact the frequency and severity of eye irritation. Consider incorporating these nutrients and foods into your diet:

• Omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, flaxseed, and walnuts)
• Vitamin A (found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens)
• Vitamin C (found in citrus fruits, berries, and bell peppers)
• Vitamin E (found in nuts, seeds, and avocados)
• Zinc (found in oysters, beef, and pumpkin seeds)

How can a balanced diet support eye health? By providing essential nutrients, a well-balanced diet can help maintain the health of your eye tissues, support tear production, and reduce inflammation, potentially decreasing the likelihood of experiencing itchy, red eyes.

Environmental Factors and Eye Irritation

Your environment can significantly impact eye comfort. Be aware of these potential irritants and take steps to minimize exposure:

• Air pollution and smog
• Cigarette smoke
• Harsh chemicals in cleaning products
• Chlorine in swimming pools
• Dry, windy conditions
• High altitudes with thin air

To protect your eyes from environmental irritants:

1. Wear wraparound sunglasses when outdoors
2. Use protective goggles when swimming or working with chemicals
3. Install an air purifier in your home or office
4. Keep windows closed on high-pollution days
5. Use a humidifier in dry environments

By understanding the various causes of eye irritation and implementing appropriate preventive measures and treatments, you can significantly improve your eye comfort and overall quality of life. Remember to consult with an eye care professional if you experience persistent or severe symptoms, as they can provide personalized advice and treatment options tailored to your specific needs.

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

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

causes, treatment, how to remove redness, inflammation and irritation

If you spent several hours at the computer or did not get enough sleep, your eyes will give you out first of all. The normally invisible small blood vessels on the surface of the eyeball dilate and become brighter. Often, irritation and redness of the eyes is accompanied by itching. Learn more about these common phenomena and how to deal with them in our article.

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In this article we will tell you how to eliminate the symptoms of fatigue and relieve eye inflammation quickly and effectively.

Contents of the article

Redness, fatigue and inflammation of the eyes are familiar to many: the look of an albino rabbit has not really pleased anyone yet. The causes of the problem are varied: poor health, pressure surges, allergic reactions, colds, prolonged work at the computer and a night party with excessive libations.

And those who wear contact lenses, red eyes are familiar firsthand: incorrect or prolonged wearing of lenses can lead to inflammation.

To calm the capillaries, it is not always enough to resort to the help of pharmacy drops. There are several more effective methods that help both remove dryness and redness of the eyes, and return them to a rested and healthy look.

Inflammation and redness of the eyes: causes

The mechanism of reddening of the eyes is as follows: the blood vessels penetrating the eyeball dilate and therefore become visible. This is how your eyes take on an “inflamed” look. We list the most common causes of redness of the eyes:

• After a long time working at the computer, redness of the eyes is often noticed. We stare too long and intently at the monitor screen. If you continue to do this for more than three hours and periodically forget to blink, dry eye syndrome develops. This applies to any gadgets that have screen flicker.
• Like the rest of the body, our organ of vision needs time to rest. And it’s not three or four hours. It is important for an adult to sleep for at least 7-8 hours to restore strength, and for the eyes to restore the natural level of moisture. Sometimes a good sleep can save you from inflammation and redness of the eyes.
• An allergic reaction of any kind – to animal hair, flowers, household products, dust, cosmetics, and so on – causes swelling of the eyes and redness. The body reacts to allergens, an inflammatory process begins and the production of histamine, which dilates blood vessels.
• Falls, blunt or sharp objects, and other forms of injury cause redness in the eyes and around them. This is not surprising, it is a hematoma that causes blood flow to the bruised area.
• Cosmetic procedures such as eyelid tattoos, lamination or eyelash extensions cause redness of the eye. Even high-quality and expensive glue has a toxic effect on the eyelid mucosa upon contact. It turns out a toxic burn, due to which the vessels dilate.
• Stress and nervous strain also have a bad effect on the health of the organ of vision. The whole body reacts to these factors, and the vascular system of the eyes is no exception. Redness of the whites of the eyes occurs due to a violation in the form of dryness of the mucous membranes and an increase in eye pressure. The eyes may begin to twitch, a migraine appears, which leads to serious illness.
• Sometimes the previous point intervenes (overvoltage), and sometimes we are talking about hypertension. Redness in the corner of the eye or over the entire area is observed after the vessels dilate, damage or ruptures occur. Then blood spots are noticeable on the mucous membrane.

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• The presence in the body of an infection, viral or bacterial, is often accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Discharge appears from the eyes, their redness is noted, as the infection enters their vessels. The eyelids also swell, because the inflammatory process affects not only the conjunctiva (a thin transparent film between the sclera and the eyelid).
• Itchy and red eyes often go hand in hand with serious illnesses – blepharitis, conjunctivitis and so on. When the virus enters the conjunctiva, irritation begins, due to which the vessels become inflamed.
• Perhaps the redness of the eyes and the skin around them is one of the clear signs of a hangover. The vessels of the brain are responsible for supplying oxygen to the tissues of the organ of vision. Their narrowing leads to an increase in intracranial pressure, due to which small capillaries burst on the retina and eyelids.
• Being in a smoky room always irritates the conjunctiva. Often, due to tobacco, redness of the eyelid and inflammation, tearing, bags and swelling appear, which can cause skin diseases. Smoking also aggravates dry eye symptoms.
• Many people are forced to use eye drops for irritation and redness, because this is how the organ of vision reacts to sudden changes in weather conditions. More often this applies to weather-dependent persons who feel the increase and decrease in atmospheric pressure. In this case, there may be not only redness, but also pain in the eye.
• In modern realities, a person has a choice – glasses and contact lenses. But their wrong selection leads to health problems. Redness of the eyes from lenses occurs due to non-compliance with the time of their wearing, expired expiration date, damage to the accessory.

When to see a doctor for reddened eyes

visit to the doctor. Such a complex of signs must be taken seriously, because they can indicate diseases such as hypertension, migraine, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid dysfunction, type 1 diabetes mellitus, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis.

When you detect redness of the eyes, which complicates any concomitant symptoms, it is necessary to undergo a series of examinations, including:

Treatment of redness and inflammation of the eyes

It’s one thing if you don’t get enough sleep and feel slight discomfort, and another thing is bloodshot eyes. You can not uncontrollably use drugs to “lighten” them. It is important to address your complaints about redness of the eyes to the doctor. He must determine the cause of the problem, including ruling out or detecting an infection.

First, the specialist will conduct an examination and prescribe a comprehensive examination. If the eyes hurt and redness is due to an allergic reaction, the doctor will recommend avoiding contact with the allergen. At the same time, he will prescribe antihistamines. May prescribe a cool compress in the absence of disease.

Often an optometrist prescribes drops for redness and inflammation to be used directly in the eye. Their action is aimed at vasoconstriction. But it is important to remember that they only eliminate the symptom, not getting rid of the cause that led to the problem.

In case of injury, the doctor prescribes drugs to improve the regeneration of the damaged conjunctiva. A foreign body implies its careful removal in a specialist’s office. Inflammatory processes will be stopped after the infection is eliminated. Eye redness after eyelash extensions involves washing with warm water until excess glue is washed away.

In this case, preparations containing hormonal corticosteroid components can stop the process of toxic inflammation. And to heal damaged areas of the eyes, an ointment is used, which at the same time will help relieve redness. In no case should you touch your eyes with dirty hands (and less often with clean ones) and rub them, increasing the burning sensation and redness.

Pharmacy drops for redness of the eyes

Due to the heavy load and excessive fatigue, the smallest vessels located on the surface require delicate handling. Eye drops from redness and irritation save not only from external manifestations, but also effectively fight painful sensations: they relieve pain and dryness in the eyes.

Let’s list what drops from redness of the eyes exist. According to the type of impact and components in the composition, they are divided into anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-allergic (antihistamine).

• Vizin – eye drops that help relieve redness of the eyes, inflammation and irritation of their membranes. They have a vasoconstrictive effect.
• Oxial is a moisturizing agent designed to get rid of dryness and irritation of the mucous membrane, after applying the drops, the redness of the eyes disappears.
• Oftolik – eye drops for protection and moisturizing. They form a tear film and soften the cornea.
• Innoxa – eye drops for redness, fatigue and irritation of the mucous membranes. Indispensable for everyday wear of lenses.
• Likontin – the best eye drops for redness and dryness prevention, with a disinfectant effect. Get rid of the feeling of sand in the eyes.

In order for eye drops to work properly, they must be used correctly. When instilling drops into the eyes, slightly raise the chin, gently pull the lower eyelid and with the other hand, drip inside (as if behind the eyelid) a miraculous drug.

If red eye drops are not to your liking, there are cheap alternatives. Wonderful and no less effective “artificial tears”, which can also be purchased at the pharmacy. Polyvinyl alcohol and hypromellose are sold without a prescription. These liquids perfectly moisturize the mucous membrane of the eyes, which helps to quickly eliminate redness.

To prevent allergic symptoms, it is necessary to be especially careful when choosing drops so as not to aggravate the situation. Frequent and severe inflammation of the mucous membrane should be controlled by a doctor, changing drugs if necessary. Whatever the reason, how to treat redness of the eye, only the optometrist should decide. Even if the drops are sold without a prescription, don’t risk it because your eyesight is at stake.

How to quickly remove eye redness at home

When it is not possible to use eye drops, inexpensive improvised means will relieve redness. Inflamed eyes in the morning or at the end of the working day can be soothed in the following ways.

• Cold compress. Cold is the most affordable and one of the most effective means to relieve redness of the eyes and eliminate irritation. Apply ice cubes wrapped in gauze or a napkin to your eyelids, or soak cotton pads in cool water and apply to your eyelids for 5-7 minutes. Be careful: your eyes can get cold if you keep the cold too long.
• Chamomile solution or strong tea. Pharmaceutical chamomile in bags or brewed flower heads of this plant effectively fight all types of eye fatigue. Apply cotton pads soaked in chamomile solution to your eyelids, or use strong tea leaves. Such a compress can be kept for 10-15 minutes, and then washed with cool running water.
• Potato slice. A peeled slice of fresh potato will quickly and gently eliminate redness of the eyes and relieve an unpleasant burning sensation. To do this, apply a slice of potato to closed eyelids, rub the skin around the eyes with light massage movements. The healing root crop can be used within 5-10 minutes. You can also grate fresh potatoes on a grater, wrap in gauze and put on your eyes. And if you recently made mashed potatoes, it will do. Just do not use it hot, for the comfort of an important organ, the substance should be warm or at room temperature.
• Cold milk. One can argue endlessly about the dangers and benefits of cow’s milk, but as a remedy for redness of the eyes, it works flawlessly. Simply soak cotton pads or a gauze bandage in cool cow’s milk and apply the compress to your closed eyelids. Such a compress should be kept for at least 7 minutes, the remaining liquid should be washed off with cool water. You need to make sure in advance that you are not allergic to dairy products!
• Cucumber compress. It turns out that cucumber lotions not only help relieve puffiness under the eyes and reduce dark circles, but also remove redness of the eyes. Grate a fresh vegetable on a grater, wrap the resulting slurry in gauze and put it on your eyes for a few minutes.
• Honey solution. Dilute a drop of honey with one tablespoon of warm water and drop the solution into your eyes. But when using this method, you need to be sure that there is no allergy.
• Aloe juice. You can buy eye drops with aloe or make your own at home. True, this process is laborious and not at all fast. For those who decide to cope on their own, here is a recipe for drops from aloe juice.

Relieve eye redness: recipe with aloe juice

If you have three-year-old aloe at home, you can make effective eye drops from it for redness and fatigue.

1. Approximately two weeks before the planned “extraction” of juice, stop watering the plant.
2. After the prescribed time, cut off the fleshy bottom leaves and put in the refrigerator for 12-14 days.
3. Then wash the leaves with hot water, cut off the skin and squeeze the juice into a disinfected container.
4. To make the juice sterile, boil it for two to three minutes.
5. Then the liquid must be cooled to room temperature and after that you can make gauze lotions with it.
6. To do this, soak cotton pads with aloe juice and place them on your eyes for 20 minutes. You can add a drop of honey to the composition.

By the way, honey is also an excellent preservative that will help preserve the beneficial properties of aloe for as long as possible. Store the mixture in the refrigerator and use whenever needed or on a regular basis not only to treat but also to prevent eye redness.

How to prevent redness and inflammation of the eyes

Ophthalmologists say that redness of the eyes is easier to prevent than to treat. To keep your organ of vision healthy, and there is no trace of redness, try to follow these simple tips every day:

• Sleep at least 8 hours a day.
• Use an eye patch during daytime sleep or purchase dark curtains for your bedroom.
• Wash off makeup at night.
• Only use eye products specifically designed for this purpose.
• Ventilate the room 1-2 times a day for 20 minutes: lack of oxygen leads to blockage and vasoconstriction.
• Moisturize your room at least once a week and install a humidifier if that’s not enough.
• Keep your contact lenses and glasses clean.
• Do not abuse alcohol and tobacco.
• Rethink your daily skincare routine: some products can cause inflammatory reactions.
• With increased workload due to computer work, set aside 10-15 minutes for eye exercises in the morning and evening.

Dependence of eye redness on computer work

Many office workers complain of dryness, fatigue, redness and peeling of the eyes. Ophthalmologists even have a special concept of “office eye”. If you also constantly encounter this, check if your workplace meets the following criteria:

• screen illumination should be comfortable for the eyes, not too bright, but not too dim below eye level
• The light in the room should also not cause discomfort, for example, too bright lighting will blind and cause eye strain

Eye hygiene rules to avoid redness of the eyes or take your eyes off the monitor for a couple of minutes every 20-30 minutes.

At the same time, it is useful to do visual gymnastics, take a walk, or at least just look into the distance.

Dryness and redness of the eyes often occur due to insufficient humidity in the room. A humidifier will help solve this problem. You can also instill moisturizing drops into your eyes (Systane, Gilan, Hilokomod). But, we repeat, after consultation with a doctor.

How to remove redness of the eyes: a diet for sharp vision

For healthy eyes, the body needs to get enough vitamins, minerals and other trace elements. Here is a nutrition cheat sheet that will help eliminate redness and eye fatigue.

• Vitamin A (retinol) – the first assistant in maintaining eye health. Look for it in blueberries, carrots, grapefruit, liver.
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is responsible for normal eye pressure. It is found in wholemeal bread, legumes, spinach and organ meats.
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) improves blood supply to the eyeballs. The sources of this trace element are seeds, eggs and green vegetables.
• Vitamin B6 is also essential for the normal functioning of the eye vessels. Eggs, fish and liver will help provide the body with these vitamins.
• Without vitamin C, the eyes will suffer from impaired blood supply. Stocks of ascorbic acid will replenish citrus fruits, rose hips, bell peppers, berries.
• Vitamin E (tocopherol) found in sea buckthorn, carrots, broccoli, egg yolks, vegetable oil and butter. Tocopherol protects the eyes from stress and overwork, and therefore from the likelihood of redness.
• Beta-carotene: yellow and orange vegetables, fruits and berries. It is a useful antioxidant.
• Lutein supports visual acuity, found in spinach, parsley, pumpkin.
• Polyunsaturated fatty acids support vascular health. They are present in large quantities in fatty fish and cod liver.

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causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention at home

Lichen planus is an extremely mysterious skin pathology that can cause swelling and irritation of the skin or mucous membranes, damage to the hair (and scalp), disrupts the growth of nails. Lichen planus, when lesions are located on the skin over the body, usually looks like a purplish, itchy, flat spot or a group of spots that appear over several weeks. In the mouth, vagina, and other mucosal areas, lichen planus forms openwork white spots, sometimes with painful ulcers.

Most people can treat typical mild rashes at home with over-the-counter medications. If the condition causes pain or significant itching, you may need prescription medications. It is important to emphasize that this lichen is not contagious.

What is lichen

Lichen planus (LP) is a rare chronic disease classified as an inflammatory autoimmune disease of the skin and mucous membranes. It most often appears as itchy, shiny, reddish-purple patches (lesions) on the skin (cutaneous lichen) or as a white-gray rash in the mouth or on the lips (oral). Less commonly, LP can also affect the genitals (lichen of the penis or vulva), scalp (lichen planus), ears (lichen auralis), nails, eyes, and esophagus.

Like the lichen that grows on trees and rocks in the forest, skin lesions are often flat-topped and may be somewhat scaly, hence the name lichen planus.

Lichen planus is a relatively common inflammatory disease that affects the skin and mucous membranes in the mouth, resulting in characteristic body or oral lesions.

Lichen planus usually causes itching. There seems to be a connection between the oral form and the cutaneous form of lichen planus. Nearly half of those who have mouth lesions also have skin lesions. The onset may be gradual or rapid, but the exact cause of the inflammation that leads to lichen planus has not yet been fully elucidated.

It is important to note that lichen planus itself is not an infectious disease. Therefore, this disease is not transmitted from person to person. Lichen planus is not a type of cancer.

Causes of lichen planus in adults

In most affected individuals, the exact cause of this type of lichen is unclear. It is hypothesized that exposure to infections, drugs, allergens, or trauma can sensitize the immune system and cause it to attack skin cells. This initial rash may persist for weeks to months, and recurrences may continue throughout a person’s life. There have been reports of LP in family members, suggesting a possible genetic predisposition, but the genetic factors for LP are still under investigation and remain uncertain.

There is limited data on how many people are affected by this lichen, but most studies estimate that LP occurs in less than 1% of the world’s population. The cutaneous form occurs with equal frequency in men and women, but women are slightly more likely to develop the oral form or lichen planus (genitals). There appears to be no racial predisposition to the disease. Most LP develops between the ages of 30 and 60, but can affect both older and younger people. In rare cases, children may be affected.

Symptoms of lichen planus in adults

Signs and symptoms of lichen planus last for weeks or months, and periodic relapses can occur for years, flaring and fading. The appearance of lesions depends on their location.

In cutaneous LP, lesions can be present anywhere on the skin, usually on the wrists, legs, palms and soles, or trunk, and are 2 to 4 mm in diameter with angular margins, purple in color, and have a distinct sheen in transverse light. These lesions tend to be symmetrically distributed and may also coalesce into coarse scaly patches. In rare cases, blisters may form. Moderate to severe itching is common, common, and difficult to treat.

There are several variants of cutaneous LP, which can present in different ways. Lesions can become large, scaly, and warty (lichen hypertrophic), especially on the shins. New spots may appear at the site of a minor skin injury, such as a superficial scratch (Koebner phenomenon). Sometimes degeneration (atrophy) of the skin can occur while the lesions persist (lichen atrophicus), and in some patients there is no sweating due to degeneration of the sweat glands (anhidrosis).

Unusual darkening (hyperpigmentation) or lightening (hypopigmentation) of the skin may occur in areas where wounds have healed.

50 to 70% of patients present with symptoms associated with mucous membranes, moist pink skin covering the inside of the mouth, vagina, and esophagus. LP on mucous membranes may appear as red, painful ulcers or lesions with a reticulate, white pattern. Oral symptoms often occur before skin lesions develop. Initially, oral symptoms may appear, consisting of dryness and a metallic taste or burning sensation in the mouth, which may be the only sign of the disease.

Hair loss, although not common, can be one of the consequences of LP, which is called planopillaris. If hair loss occurs, it can affect small patchy areas of the scalp (atrophic symmetrical alopecia) or cause bald patches (frontal fibrous alopecia). If ringworm is left untreated, hair loss becomes permanently irreversible due to scarring.

Nail lesion is present in 10-25% of LP patients and tends to present as roughness, vertical ridges or cracks, and thinning of the nail. This can eventually lead to scarring of the nail.

Trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing may indicate esophageal lichen. It is important to treat an esophageal disease as over time this can lead to a narrowing of the esophagus, a so-called esophageal stricture.

Some cases of the cutaneous form resolve with time, while the oral, genital, nail, and esophageal forms are more persistent and may worsen over time. Patients with LP have an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, especially of the oral mucosa, and should be monitored periodically.

Treatment of lichen planus in adults

There are several diseases that can be very similar to lichen planus and it is important to differentiate them. Certain metals such as gold salts, arsenic, bismuth, or exposure to certain chemicals can cause a rash that is indistinguishable from LP, either oral or cutaneous.

When a patient develops lichen symptoms, doctors are likely to ask about medication history because several medications have been associated with pharma-induced LP, including antimalarials, blood pressure medications, proton pump inhibitors, certain antibiotics, inhibitors TNF, NSAIDs and many others. If the rash is caused by exposure to metals, chemicals, or drugs, symptoms usually resolve after a few weeks or months of exposure, but may recur intermittently over time.

Candida is usually a harmless yeast found in the mouth, intestines and vagina. Candidiasis (also known as a yeast infection or thrush) can occur when the host’s body is imbalanced and the immune system fails. Cadidiasis usually affects the skin or mucous membranes of the mouth, intestines, or vagina. Oral candidiasis may look similar to oral LP with white patches in the mouth. Candida infections are rarely serious in healthy people. Superficial Candida infections can occur in people with oral lichen combined with the fungus, especially in people taking topical steroids.

Other skin disorders that may be confused with lichen are psoriasis, syphilis, graft-versus-host disease, lupus affecting the skin, erythema multiforme, and persistent dyschromic erythema (ash dermatosis).

Oral LP must be distinguished from other erosive mucosal conditions such as pemphigus, pemphigoid, and recurrent aphthous ulcers. These conditions can be distinguished from LP by clinical evaluation, blood tests, and biopsy.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can often be made by examining the skin or mucous membranes and identifying characteristic clinical signs.

If the diagnosis is unclear based on clinical findings, the doctor will usually take a small sample of skin (biopsy) to confirm the diagnosis.

There is some evidence of a link between LP (especially when taken orally) and hepatitis C virus infection, and your doctor may order a blood test. In cases where an allergy is suspected, a type of allergy test called a skin test may be helpful in determining the cause.

Modern treatments

In mild cases, symptoms may be minimal or absent and treatment may not be required.

For patients requiring treatment, topical corticosteroids are usually the first line of therapy. They are available in many dosages and formulations, including cream, ointment, gels, solutions, mouth rinses, and others.

If topical corticosteroids are ineffective or cause side effects, a topical nonsteroidal medicine called tacrolimus or pimecrolimus may be prescribed.

Erosive lesions of the oral cavity and widespread skin rash and pruritus often require the use of systemic corticosteroids. Unfortunately, skin lesions may return after systemic medications are discontinued. In this case, the introduction of low doses of systemic corticosteroids can be continued.

Phototherapy may be useful for widespread skin disease. In more severe refractory cases, stronger immunosuppressive drugs may be needed.

Home remedies for lichen planus

Although lichen planus cannot be cured, some home remedies can help relieve symptoms.

Turmeric has been suggested as a remedy for lichen planus in the mouth because it has shown effects on the immune system that can help reduce the inflammation that contributes to this condition. A recent pilot study has shown promising results with this agent.

Other suggested treatments and preventions include:

• the use of certain types of oats;
• chewy sage;
• application of aloe vera gels to the skin;
• essential oils;
• drill.

But if there are flare-ups, it is better to take a course of treatment prescribed by a healthcare professional.

In general, lichen planus is not a dangerous or fatal disease. It usually resolves on its own over time, but it can persist for a long time, stretching over years, and the severity varies from patient to patient.

The presence of skin lesions is variable and may wax and wane over time. Oral lesions tend to persist longer than skin lesions. Moreover, even after complete disappearance, lichen planus may recur.

Lichen planus often leaves a dark brown color on the skin as it heals. Like the buds themselves, these spots can fade over time without treatment.

When the oral mucosa is affected by lichen planus, the risk of developing oral cancer is slightly higher. In the presence of lichen planus of the mouth, alcohol and tobacco products should be avoided, which also increase the risk.

Regular visits to a dermatologist or dentist, at least twice a year, for oral cancer screening are recommended.

Popular questions and answers

Questions about lichen planus were answered by allergist-immunologist of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences, member of the World Allergological Organization (WAO) Ksenia Bocharova.

Is lichen planus an allergic disease?

No, lichen planus is not an allergy. This is an erroneous opinion. In general, it is believed that this is an autoimmune reaction that occurs in our body through excessive activity, so to speak, improper activity of T-lymphocytes. In this case, T-lymphocytes “go a little crazy” and realize reactions against their own epithelial keratinocytes (skin cells located on the very surface). Moreover, this reaction occurs only in people genetically predisposed to it.

Sometimes certain medications, such as diuretics, can trigger the development of lichen planus. By the way, now (in connection with the coronavirus) antimalarial drugs are very actively used, they can also. Against the background of the use of antibiotics, by the way, such damage can also occur. Here, both the skin and the mucous membrane in the cavity of the mouth and genitals are damaged. There are such characteristic inflammatory elements, rashes, they are with purple papules, flat and very itchy. They can merge into plaques, scales can appear on the surface. This disease can proceed in different ways, but of course this disease does not apply to allergic ones.

Which doctor should I go to with this problem, will the diet help?

Lichen planus is usually treated by dermatologists. Given that this is not an allergic disease, the anti-allergic diet is absolutely not effective here. She won’t help at all. But taking into account the fact that the patient may have other diseases, conditions, he takes pills for these pathologies, and they provoked the appearance of lichen planus, adverse reactions, then, of course, a diet is needed for the underlying disease. And you need to follow it.

In general, lichen planus is diagnosed by dermatologists on the basis of a characteristic clinical picture and a biopsy. In a tissue sample, they look for certain cell changes characteristic of this disease, because similar clinical symptoms can be given, for example, by lupus erythematosus, candidiasis, aphthous ulcers (if on the mucous membrane). On the genitals may be ankylosing spondylitis.

Is it possible to treat lichen planus with folk remedies?

No, you can’t, because the doctor usually prescribes serious drugs: glucocorticosteroids or cytostatics. Moreover, it can be a local treatment – to spread drugs on the sore, wound, and there may be systemic treatment. Or maybe a local injection of a glucocorticosteroid into these elements, which are not resolved for a long time. For treatment, drugs are sometimes used for a long time. And so self-treatment is definitely not suitable here. And the diagnosis should be clearly made, and not at all on the Internet. Yes, Internet resources provide some information, but sometimes even specialists cannot help to correctly determine the diagnosis.