Background
Itchy eyes are a common symptom of allergies. Red, itchy eyes are one of the classic symptoms of hay fever, a.k.a. allergies, which can flare up at different times of the year. Eye allergies, also called “allergic conjunctivitis,” are super common and everybody reacts differently to different allergens. But whether it’s ragweed, pollen, or dander that’s causing your allergies, they all affect your eyes pretty much the same way—they make them red, watery, and itchy.
There are 2 types of allergic conjunctivitis (eye allergies). The most common type of eye allergy is called seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC). It’s caused by plant pollens that are in the air at different times of the year and usually occurs in the spring, summer, or fall. The other type of eye allergy is known as perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC), and it occurs year-round. PAC is caused by reactions to allergens such as dust mites, mold, pet dander, or other household allergens.
Contact lenses can also cause an allergic reaction. Your tears contain proteins that can sometimes stick to the surface of your contact lens. Sometimes, this can irritate your eye and cause an allergic reaction that makes it itchy. A much more severe version of this type of reaction is called giant papillary conjunctivitis.
An infection can also make your eye itch. An eye infection can be caused by a variety of things such as a virus, bacteria, parasites, or even fungus. Each potential cause has various symptoms, but for the most part, an eye infection has a whole lot more symptoms than allergies. While it can sometimes be tricky to figure out whether your itchy eye is caused by allergies or an infection, for the most part, if you have more than tear-like fluids coming from your eye, or you have eye pain, it’s probably more than just allergies.
Causes
Allergens are the cause of the most common cause of itchy eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis, a.k.a. eye allergies, is caused when you’re exposed to an allergen such as pollen, animal fur, mold, or dust mites. What happens is your body senses the allergen and reacts by releasing a chemical called histamine, which causes the blood vessels in your eye to dilate and irritate the nerves in your eye, which makes them itch and water. Some folks are more sensitive to certain allergens and can have more severe symptoms.
Some people are more likely to get dry, itchy eyes. There are a few factors that can put your more at risk of getting dry eyes. If you’re over the age of 50, you wear contact lenses, or you look at computer screens for long periods of time without taking breaks, you’re more likely to get dry eyes. Additionally, if you spend a lot of time in air-conditioned or heated environments, or if it’s windy, cold, and dusty outside, you could get dry eyes. People who smoke, drink alcohol, or take certain medications (such as some antidepressants or blood pressure meds) are at a higher risk of getting dry eyes as well.
Eye infections can be caused by a bunch of different things. A common eye infection is called conjunctivitis, but you may know it as “pink eye.” It’s caused by an inflammation or infection of the membrane that surrounds your eyelid and covers the white part of your eyeball. Pink eye can be caused by different things like a chemical splash or a foreign object in your eye, but it’s commonly caused by an infection. Eye infections can come from many different causes such as virus, bacteria, parasite, or fungus.
Symptoms
Red, swollen, watery, itchy eyes are classic signs of allergies. The most common symptoms of eye allergies include itchy eyes that may appear red or swollen. Your eyes may also have a burning sensation. You can also have a sensitivity to light, and if you also have nasal allergies, you could have a stuffy, itchy nose as well.
An eye infection will come with a longer list of additional symptoms. While an eye infection often comes with some of the classic symptoms of allergies, such as redness, itching, burning, and clear, watery discharge, it also has additional symptoms. They can vary based on the cause of your infection, but some of the common ones include pain, a gritty feeling in your eyes, thick discharge, and mucus-like discharge. A good rule of thumb is that if you have anything more than clear, tear-like fluids coming from your eye, or you feel eye pain, it’s probably more than just simple allergies.
Treatment
Use OTC antihistamines and eyedrops to help with allergies. For short-term relief, you can pick up some nonprescription eyedrops and allergy medications. They can help reduce the itchiness in your eye if it’s caused by allergies. However, these are only meant to be for temporary relief. They may not relieve all of your symptoms, and if you use them for too long, they can actually make your symptoms worse. Antihistamine eyedrops can help reduce the itching, redness, and swelling that’s common with eye allergies.
Try to reduce your exposure to any potential allergens. Whether you’re suffering from seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) or perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC), you can help manage your symptoms by doing what you can to avoid the allergens that trigger your symptoms. While many allergens are in the air and are difficult to avoid, there are strategies you can do to minimize your exposure to them. For outdoor exposure: stay inside as much as you can during pollen season, avoid using window fans, wear glasses or sunglasses when you’re outside, and try not to rub your eyes. For indoor exposure: keep your windows closed, use A/C in your car and home, wash your bedding frequently (for dust mites), use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity levels low, and clean your floors by mopping them instead of dusting or sweeping. If you’re allergic to animals, wash your hands immediately after you pet them and try to avoid them as much as you can.
See an eye specialist if your symptoms won’t go away. If you can’t seem to get rid of the itch in your eye even after trying other solutions, make an appointment to see your doctor. They’ll be able to examine you and recommend treatments or prescribe medications if you have an infection or if your allergies are serious enough. They may also refer you to an eye specialist like an optometrist or ophthalmologist who can treat you for more serious eye issues. Your doctor may prescribe steroids or prescription eye drops for serious allergies. You may need antibiotic eye drops or specific medications if you have an eye infection that won’t clear up.
Prognosis
Although the causes of itchy eyes can vary, most can be treated. The good news is that itchy eyes is a relatively mild problem that can often be fixed once you figure out what’s causing it. If the cause is allergies, there are medications and strategies you can use to reduce your symptoms. If it’s something more serious, like an infection, there are medications such as antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals that can treat the underlying problem and make the itchiness go away.
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