Itchy eyes often look red, and there may also be irritation and a burning feeling. You may want to rub them continually. Anything that irritates the eyes, such as smoky atmospheres, dust, or infection, can produce itching, as can allergies such as hay fever or reactions to chlorinated swimming pools, cosmetics, or eye drops.
Sometimes, the edges of the eyelids can become infected. This condition, called blepharitis, results in sore, dry eyes with crusts on the eyelashes. Blepharitis is more common in people who have skin conditions such as dandruff. You may also develop itchy eyes occasionally if you wear contact lenses.
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Cleaning your eyelids Unless your doctor advises otherwise, try the following steps to help control blepharitis.
* Soak a clean face cloth in warm water, wring it out, then gently press it on your closed eyelid for about 5 minutes. This will soften and loosen any crusts.
* Mix a little water with an equal amount of baby shampoo. Dip a cotton-wool bud in the mixture, squeeze it out, and roll it along the edge of each eyelid to clean off debris and crusts. Rinse the eyelids with water, and dab them dry with a clean towel.
* Repeat, using a clean cloth, for the other eye.
* Clean your eyelids each morning and bedtime until they improve, then once daily to prevent a recurrence.
Arrange to see your doctor again if :
* Symptoms persist for more than 48 hours
What you can do yourself
The following steps can help relieve the problem or be used with any treatment from your doctor.
* Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can aggravate itching and can spread an infection.
* To help soothe allergic itching and irritation, use a cold compress. Soak a clean cloth (or cotton-wool pads) in cold water, wring it out, and lay it gently on your eyes for a few minutes. Repeat as needed, using a clean cloth or pads each time.
* Use artificial tears to help soothe itching due to allergies or to irritants such as dust and smoke (see DRUG REMEDIES).
* To find out if itching is caused by sensitivity to cosmetics, soap, or face or hair products, stop using them, then reintroduce items one by one to see if the problem returns. Throw away old eye make-up; don’t keep mascara for more than 6 months.
* If you have inflamed eyelids and crusty lashes, treat them with an eyelid-cleaning regime (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE).
DRUG REMEDIES
Artificial tears are available as drops containing hypromellose or gels containing carbomers. Don’t wear contact lenses while you are using these products.
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