What are itchy eyes?
Itchy eyes describe an unpleasant itching that can be accompanied by redness and pain. In addition, the eye may be swollen and watery. Other accompanying symptoms can be blurred vision or sensitivity to light.
The itching can be caused by various diseases. The most common triggers are conjunctivitis or allergic reactions. The therapy depends on the underlying disease. Usually the itching disappears after a successful treatment.
The causes
Often the cause of itchy eyes is an allergy, for example a pollen allergy or an allergy to animal hair. Through the itching and tearing of the eye, the eye tries to flush the tiny allergens out of the eye and indicates to the body that something is “in the air”. Another common reason for itchy eyes can be conjunctivitis.
Here, the itchy eye is also one of the typical symptoms. A distinction is typically made between bacterial and viral conjunctivitis. This infection is transmitted quite quickly as an infection in people already ill in their surroundings.
A foreign body or too much light (summer vacation without sunglasses!) or draught (air conditioning, wind) can also lead to an inflammation of the conjunctiva and thus cause itching of the eye. A rare cause of itchy eyes can sometimes be a mosquito bite in the region of the eye.
In this case, it is important not to scratch or squeeze the eye, so that the swelling does not widen. The bite can be cooled slightly or treated carefully with Aloe Vera, if it can be excluded that some of it runs into the eye. If a large swelling occurs, it must be ensured that it is treated properly and a doctor should be consulted.
A barleycorn can also be the cause of itching in the eye. Itchy eyes can be caused by an allergy. Typical allergens here are pollen, animal hair or dust.
But other allergens can also be the cause, especially if you have touched them with your hand before and then touched your eyes. But how can an allergen cause itching? An allergic reaction causes a sensitization to a certain substance.
The immune system recognizes this substance as supposedly harmful and fights it. This leads to an inflammatory reaction – immune mediators (messenger substances) such as histamine are released. Histamine leads to an increased permeability of vessels.
Consequently, swelling, redness and itching develop. Exactly this mechanism also takes place in the eye. The body fights against the allergen and additionally tries to eliminate the substance by an increased production of tears.
Furthermore, in case of an allergy, a rash can appear on the eyelids or the surrounding skin. In addition, the mucous membranes of the nose can also swell. Subjectively, one can develop the feeling of a blocked nose.
Often both eyes are affected by the allergic reaction. If an allergy is suspected, a doctor should be consulted to initiate further diagnostic steps. Various test procedures can identify the allergen.
If necessary, a specific therapy can also be initiated. Contact lenses are frequent triggers for itching. When using contact lenses, it is important that they fit well.
If this is not the case, irritation and itching of the eye can occur. In the worst case even the cornea can be injured. For this reason, it is advisable to buy contact lenses only after a consultation with an optician.
Furthermore, the eye can dry out due to the constant wearing of contact lenses. This can also cause severe itching. Eye drops can provide relief.
Contact lenses can also promote infections. Adequate hygiene should be ensured. Before going to bed, the contact lenses should be removed in any case. If you have not followed these rules and your eye is inflamed, you should consult an eye doctor.
