How to Stop Your Eye from Itching

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Medically reviewed by Kerry Assil, MD

Last Updated: June 30, 2022 References

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You don’t have to put up with your itchy eyes! If you can figure why it’s itching, you can stop it.

Question 1 of 5:

Background

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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.^{[1]
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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.^{[2]
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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.^{[3]
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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.^{[4]
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Question 2 of 5:

Causes

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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.^{[5]
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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.^{[6]
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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.^{[7]
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Research source} Eye infections can come from many different causes such as virus, bacteria, parasite, or fungus.^{[8]
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Question 3 of 5:

Symptoms

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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.^{[9]
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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.^{[10]
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Question 4 of 5:

Treatment

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1
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.^{[11]
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- Antihistamine eyedrops can help reduce the itching, redness, and swelling that’s common with eye allergies.
2
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.^{[12]
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- 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.
3
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.^{[13]
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Expert Interview. 4 September 2020.} They may also refer you to an eye specialist like an optometrist or ophthalmologist who can treat you for more serious eye issues.^{[14]
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- 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.

Question 5 of 5:

Prognosis

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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.^{[15]
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American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
National professional organization of allergists, asthma specialists and immunologists that focuses on supporting and publishing research

Go to source} 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.^{[16]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What happens if you use artificial tears?

Kerry Assil, MD
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Dr. Kerry Assil is a board certified Ophthalmologist and the Medical Director and CEO of Assil Eye Institute (AEI), an ophthalmology practice in Los Angeles, California. With over 25 years of experience and as one of the world's foremost experts in eye surgery, Dr. Assil has trained 14,000+ physicians in refractive and cataract surgery, performed 70,000+ eye surgeries, and authored over 100 textbooks, chapters, and articles on refractive and cataract surgery. He's served as the Distinguished Professor lecturer at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Baylor, Tokyo, and UCLA among others. He has served on the advisory boards of 20+ ophthalmic device, pharmaceutical, and scientific companies and has appeared in the media as an authority on advances in vision-restoring surgeries and refractive surgery. Dr. Assil continues to make significant advances in his field with numerous inventions and introductions of state-of-the-art technologies.

Kerry Assil, MD

Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Expert Answer

Artificial tears can help wash allergens out of your eyes and moisten them if they’re dry, red, and irritated.

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Question

Is it bad to rub your eyes if they itch?

Kerry Assil, MD
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Dr. Kerry Assil is a board certified Ophthalmologist and the Medical Director and CEO of Assil Eye Institute (AEI), an ophthalmology practice in Los Angeles, California. With over 25 years of experience and as one of the world's foremost experts in eye surgery, Dr. Assil has trained 14,000+ physicians in refractive and cataract surgery, performed 70,000+ eye surgeries, and authored over 100 textbooks, chapters, and articles on refractive and cataract surgery. He's served as the Distinguished Professor lecturer at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Baylor, Tokyo, and UCLA among others. He has served on the advisory boards of 20+ ophthalmic device, pharmaceutical, and scientific companies and has appeared in the media as an authority on advances in vision-restoring surgeries and refractive surgery. Dr. Assil continues to make significant advances in his field with numerous inventions and introductions of state-of-the-art technologies.

Kerry Assil, MD

Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Expert Answer

Yes, it's not good for your eyes. Your eyes are especially sensitive, and rubbing them can lead to damage. It's also possible to accidentally introduce contaminants by transferring them from your hands to your eyes, which can make things worse.

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Question

Is it worth seeing a doctor for itchy eyes?

Kerry Assil, MD
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Dr. Kerry Assil is a board certified Ophthalmologist and the Medical Director and CEO of Assil Eye Institute (AEI), an ophthalmology practice in Los Angeles, California. With over 25 years of experience and as one of the world's foremost experts in eye surgery, Dr. Assil has trained 14,000+ physicians in refractive and cataract surgery, performed 70,000+ eye surgeries, and authored over 100 textbooks, chapters, and articles on refractive and cataract surgery. He's served as the Distinguished Professor lecturer at Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Duke, Baylor, Tokyo, and UCLA among others. He has served on the advisory boards of 20+ ophthalmic device, pharmaceutical, and scientific companies and has appeared in the media as an authority on advances in vision-restoring surgeries and refractive surgery. Dr. Assil continues to make significant advances in his field with numerous inventions and introductions of state-of-the-art technologies.

Kerry Assil, MD

Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Expert Answer

If it's just a short-term thing and not a reoccurring problem, you probably don't need to see a doctor. If your eyes get especially itchy over and over again, it's definitely worth seeing a doctor.

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