It is really unpleasant having itchy eyes. Probably the worst part about that is that you can't scratch away haphazardly. Probably the worst part about that is that you can't scratch away haphazardly. In this article we talk about itchy eyes and when to call our home GP service for itchy eyes.
What Causes Itchy Eyes?
Itchy eyes can be the main complaint regarding a number of eye surface diseases. The range of ocular allergies involves atopic keratoconjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis and atopic dermatitis. Other causes of itchy eyes include dry eye syndrome, dysfunction of the meibomial gland, blepharitis, lens-induced conjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, and dermatoblepharitis contact. A complete history, systems review, and examination may help to distinguish between these etiologies.
1. Food, animal, or environmental allergies
Itchy eyes are typically the sign of skin allergy symptoms. This is also known as allergic conjunctivis. Allergic conjunctivitis is essentially a moderate allergic reaction to an allergen-food or environmental allergens, seasonal allergens in the eye.
2. Dry eye
Dry eye, a condition in which an person does not have sufficient quality tears to lubricate and nourish the eye, is a common and sometimes chronic issue, particularly in older adults.
3. Pink eye
See an eye doctor if eye itchiness is coupled with a pink or red colour, eye discharge or any of the other classic pink eye symptoms.
4. Irritating products
Some chemicals or ingredients in personal care products can lead to contact dermatitis, an irritating and itchy rash on the skin.
5. Eyelid inflammation
The medical term is blepharitis, with staph bacteria on the skin, scalp dandruff and skin disorders like rosacea being the most common causes. Blepharitis causes itchy, red, teary, swollen, dry and crusty eyeballs.
6. Digital eye strain
Due to our increasingly digital lifestyles, individuals are far more susceptible to digital eye strain than they once were.
7. Something in your eye
Whether it's a piece of sand from a day on the beach or a speck of dust that gets into your eye, having a foreign object in your eye can cause itchiness, irritation and pain.
8. Contact lens use
If you wear contact lenses every day, you might experience itchy eyes for several reasons.
When to call our home GP service for itchy eyes
If eye drops, compresses, or getting out of a smoky or windy environment easily relieves a case of dry eyes, you probably don't need to call our home GP service for itchy eyes.
If, however, your itchy eyes are accompanied by discharge or puffiness, call our home GP service for itchy eyes immediately. For example, if the problem is a bacterial infection you will need antibiotics to solve it.