Itchy eyes
Itchy eyes describe a dry condition of the eyes, the itching is usually the direct result of this. The affected person usually rubs their closed eyes, which causes further irritation. Therefore, itchy eyes are often painful.
What are itchy eyes?
Itchy eyes do not correspond to the classic itching, usually it is an irritation that leads to rubbing. The problem begins with dry eyes , a bacterial infection , or a similar development, and then culminates in itching.
This often occurs only when the affected person begins to rub the eye to counteract the irritation and other symptoms of the underlying disease. The itching then results from a combination of the disease itself, the constant irritation from rubbing or even light scratching and the resulting drying of the surrounding skin areas around the eyeball.
causes
Sometimes contact lenses with poor tolerance cause the itchy eyes. They dry out the eye and cause people to unconsciously rub their fingers at them, further irritating them. However, itchy eyes are also a symptom of inflammation, above all the quite widespread conjunctivitis.It can be caused by a draft or a lack of hygiene and, in addition to itchy eyes, also causes dehydration, increased production of tear fluid and visible reddening of the eye .
The itchy eye can also be caused by a foreign object in the eye, such as an eyelash that has fallen out, if it was not removed immediately and the affected person rubbed or scratched it first. Symptoms of illness such as fever or illnesses such as flu and colds that dry out the eye over the long term can also result in itchy eyes.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
In many cases, itchy eyes are a sign of an allergic reaction . For this reason, a doctor should be consulted if the itching occurs again. He carries out an allergy test, which provides information about which substances are responsible for the skin reaction. The person concerned can then often take preventive measures without further medical support, so that the symptoms are permanently alleviated.
The itchy eyes can indicate an intolerance to visual aids. It is therefore helpful if alternatives are discussed and implemented together with the doctor in order to still ensure adequate vision. If there are other symptoms such as blisters forming near the eyes, impairment of vision or pain in the eyes , a doctor should be consulted. A doctor’s visit is also necessary if the person concerned suffers from a feeling of pressure in the eye socket, watery eyes or particularly dry eyes. There are other diseases that need to be examined and clarified.
If the itching persists or if the unpleasant irritation in the eyes increases, consult a doctor. If the itching is given in to by scratching, the upper layers of the skin are often damaged. If this causes inflammation, severe redness or pain, it is advisable to present the symptoms to a doctor.
diagnosis and course
Most of the time, itchy eyes are only a temporary problem. For example, if the problem is a foreign object in the eye or an ill-fitting contact lens, the itchy eye often gets better once both are removed. Other methods can also help with contact lenses.
The course is only somewhat longer-term if illnesses are the cause. The itchy eyes are often not the first symptom, but result from the drying out of the eye and irritation of the skin surrounding the eyeball. Once it’s red and rubbed enough times, it doesn’t take long for an itchy eye to develop.
However, it usually disappears again after a few days when the underlying disease has improved. Alternatively, in severe cases with other symptoms such as increased tear production, medication can also help and lead to a very rapid improvement.
complications
There are a number of complications associated with itchy eyes. The complications usually go hand in hand with the cause. Eye flu , a particularly insidious infection, can occur. The eye flu is highly contagious. The affected person can spread the virus through a smear infection. Eye flu is notifiable because it is caused by particularly dangerous and aggressive adenoviruses. The viruses adapt well to the environment and can survive at normal room temperature for a long period of time.
If conjunctivitis is the cause of itchy eyes, bacterial or viral infections or superinfection with other pathogens can occur. If left untreated, conjunctivitis can also become chronic. Patients therefore suffer from permanent itching. Styes can also form again and again in the eyelids. Itchy eyes are often accompanied by irritation of the eyes. The eyelids may be swollen. Corneal clouding can also occur in connection with itchy eyes. Itchy eyes can also be associated with measles, typhoid or dysentery.
treatment and therapy
Itchy eyes are usually not treated because the problem resolves itself and the patient only has to wait a very short time. If there is a foreign body in the eye, i.e. if the itchy eye appears from one moment to the next, it is best to stand in front of the mirror and examine the eye yourself. If it is only an eyelash, you should carefully try to remove it with your fingers.
There are so-called lipid sprays especially for contact lens wearers who tend to dry eyes. They replace the top layer of tear fluid, which can be restricted by wearing contact lenses. Medical eye drops , which effectively fight the pathogens and ensure that conjunctivitis, for example, improves quickly, help with bacterial inflammation. These are also available for other underlying diseases that can lead to watery and dry and therefore itchy eyes.
In addition, you can also try home remedies, provided the doctor treating you does not object. Cotton balls soaked in lukewarm chamomile tea are popular, which are briefly placed on the itchy eyes and which help to combat a large number of symptoms , especially in the case of infectious diseases .
outlook and prognosis
In most cases, itchy eyes are caused by a bacterial infection, which can even lead to pus formation. However, it is very difficult to provide an accurate outlook and prognosis, since the course of the disease depends on appropriate treatment. If the affected person opts for treatment by a doctor, a significant improvement is possible after just a few days. The course of the disease will be significantly more difficult if appropriate treatment is dispensed with. In particularly bad cases, severe pain can occur, so that the affected person is very restricted in everyday life.
Blinking causes a foreign body sensation and pus formation is also possible. In particularly bad cases, an abscess can even form. An abscess is a cavity filled with pus. If this fluid enters the bloodstream, an infection can develop. An infection causes other side effects, such as headaches, fever or nausea. Therefore: The exact course of an itchy eye is very different. However, if the person concerned decides to have treatment, a timely improvement can be expected. If left untreated, the prognosis is negative.
prevention
The best way to prevent itchy eyes is to consciously refrain from rubbing or even scratching already irritated eyes. That would only exacerbate the problem. Anyone who wears contact lenses and has frequently observed irritation should prevent this by using a lipid spray.People who frequently contract conjunctivitis should avoid sitting in drafts and should generally be careful and gentle with their eyes. You should also avoid sitting in front of the computer or television for too long, as this can also irritate your eyes and lead to itchy eyes. While it can be difficult to keep from rubbing and scratching when the eye and surrounding skin are itchy, it takes a lot longer to get used to it than you think.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.