Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Dealing with possible allergies
• Method 2 of 3: Dealing with conjunctivitis
• Method 3 of 3: Soothe the pain of tired eyes
• Warnings

Itchy eyes are usually caused by an allergy, which can irritate your eyes. Itching can also be caused by conjunctivitis, excessive strain on the eyes or tired eyes. If your eyes hurt badly or you suspect you have an infection, see your doctor as soon as possible. If you have itchy and red eyes but your eyes aren't infected, there are some methods that can help ease your symptoms.

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Method 1 of 3: Dealing with possible allergies

1. Use a cold compress. Try putting a cold compress on your eyes if they are itchy and irritated. This can also help if they are red and swollen. Grab a soft washcloth or towel. Soak the washcloth or towel in cold water and wring it out. Close your eyes and tilt your head back, then place the compress on your face. Remove the compress after about 20 minutes. Repeat this as needed to keep your eyes from itching again.
   • You can also just lie down if your neck starts to hurt when you have to lean your head back for a long time.
2. Rinse your eyes. You may need to rinse your eyes if they are itchy and irritated. This may also be necessary if you get an allergen such as dust in your eyes. To do this, lean over a sink and run lukewarm water from the tap. Slowly bend your head forward and run a soft, not too hard jet of water over your eyes. Let the tap water run over your eyes for a few minutes, or until you feel that all allergens have been flushed out of your eyes.
   • You can also do this in the shower if it is too difficult for you to lean over a sink or sink. Just make sure the water is not too hot. You don't want to injure your eyes by using too hot water.
3. Use eye drops. There are two different types of over-the-counter eye drops to use. You can use eye drops with an antihistamine, which contain substances that fight allergies and soothe itching and redness. You can also use eye drops that moisten your eyes. The latter are also called artificial tears and help reduce itching by moisturizing your eyes and flushing out allergens.
   • Brands of eye drops with an antihistamine include Prevalin and Allergo-comod. Brands of artificial tears include Hylo-comod, Cellufresh and Optive.
   • You can also get prescription antihistamine eye drops such as Allergodil (azelastine) and Emadine (emedastine). However, many experts believe that over-the-counter drops work just as well in mild to moderate cases.
   • Try to keep artificial tears in the fridge. Cold drops feel better and can soothe burning, itchy eyes.
4. Do not rub your eyes. If you have itchy eyes, rubbing them is one of the worst things you can do. Chances are that this will worsen your symptoms. You put pressure on the already irritated surface of your eyes and rub against it. You can also transfer allergens from your hands to your eyes, which will make the itching worse.
   • Don't touch your eyes at all. This means that you cannot use eye makeup if your eyes are inflamed and itchy due to an allergic reaction.
5. Protect your eyes. If you suffer from allergens outside, wear sunglasses when you go outside. You then have an extra protective layer for your eyes that stops the allergens sooner than exposes your eyes to them.
   • You can also do this when you start cleaning. If you know you are allergic to dust mites or pet dander, wear eye protection when cleaning around the house.
   • Also, do not touch your eyes after petting an animal and you are allergic to pet dander.
6. Take off your contact lenses. If your eyes are irritated, the problem will only get worse if you keep your contact lenses in. They rub your already irritated eyes. Allergens can also build up on your lenses, making your symptoms worse. Instead of lenses, wear glasses. Your eyes have a rest for a while and you also protect them against possible allergens.
   • If you don't have glasses, use disposable lenses. This prevents allergens from collecting on your contact lenses.
   • Don't forget to wash your hands before putting your contact lenses in or out. Of course you don't want to spread allergens unnecessarily.
7. Try an over-the-counter antihistamine. For the most part, eye allergies are caused by the same allergens as nasal allergies. These include allergens such as dust mites, mold, pet dander, grass and pollen. Because they are the same allergens, over-the-counter antihistamines can help soothe your eye symptoms.
   • During the day you can take antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritine), fexofenadine (Telfast) or cetirizine (Zyrtec). These remedies do not make you drowsy.
   • There are also other means that can work effectively, but which also have a narcotic effect. So check in advance whether a substance has a narcotic effect.

Method 2 of 3: Dealing with conjunctivitis

1. Know the symptoms. Conjunctivitis, also called conjunctivitis, is another common cause of itchy eyes. You probably don't have conjunctivitis if your eyes are itchy on their own. However, if you have several other symptoms besides itching, you may have conjunctivitis. These can be symptoms such as:
   • Redness
   • A burning sensation
   • A liquid that comes out of the eye and can be white, transparent, gray, or yellow in color
   • Swellings
   • Tearing eyes
   • Grainy feeling
2. See a doctor. Conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus or bacteria and can be very contagious for up to two weeks. It is best to get the condition treated as soon as possible so that you are less likely to infect someone else with it. See a doctor at the first sign of conjunctivitis.
   • Your doctor will examine your eyes and determine what type of conjunctivitis you have. Your doctor can perform additional tests if he or she suspects a bigger problem.
3. Take an antibiotic. Most cases of conjunctivitis are caused by a viral infection, but your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the condition is caused by bacteria. These drugs can shorten the duration of the condition from a week to a few days. However, antibiotics will not work if the condition is caused by a virus.
4. Make use of home remedies. There is no treatment for conjunctivitis caused by a virus because there are no drugs against it. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications for certain types of viruses. In any case, use simple home remedies that also work for eye allergies, such as cold compresses, not wearing contact lenses, and not touching or rubbing your eyes.

Method 3 of 3: Soothe the pain of tired eyes

1. Know the symptoms. Another common symptom of itchy eyes is eye fatigue. You can get itchy, sore or tired eyes. You may also have blurred vision and watery eyes, and be more sensitive to bright light.
   • If you see double, see your doctor right away. Prolonged eye fatigue can be a sign of another problem, so see a doctor if it continues to bother you.
2. Avoid tired eyes. Eye fatigue is usually caused by looking at a particular object for too long, be it a road, a computer screen, or a book. Try not to do these activities for too long in a row.
   • You can also strain your eyes when you're trying to read or work in low light. Provide more light to reduce eye strain.
   • However, if you sit at the computer or watch television, then too bright lamps can cause problems. Adjust the light so that the screen does not reflect light.
3. Rest your eyes. Rest your eyes to make them less tired. To do this follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, you look away for 20 seconds from whatever you are focusing your eyes on. The object you are looking at should be at least 6 meters away. Repeat this every 20 minutes when you are reading, using a computer, or looking at the same object for a long time.
4. Have your prescription adjusted. If you suffer from eye strain, it could be that your glasses have the wrong lenses. Make an appointment with the optician or ophthalmologist and explain what problems you have with your eyes. The optician or ophthalmologist may recommend a different prescription for the glasses you wear every day, or may suggest wearing prescription work glasses. You may experience less eye strain when using the computer or reading something as a result.
5. Adjust your work environment. Chances are that you will get tired eyes when you are at the computer. While working, make sure your screen is about two feet away from you. The screen should also be slightly longer than eye level, or slightly lower than the point you normally look at.
   • Keep the screen clean, because dirt, dust or streaks on the surface put more strain on your eyes when you try to see through them.
   • Use a microfiber cloth and computer screen cleaner to wipe your screen. Turn off the screen before cleaning it.

Warnings

• Even a seemingly harmless symptom like itchy eyes can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as atopic keratoconjunctivitis. Always seek advice from your eye doctor if you continue to have problems with your eyes.