What Causes Eye Irritation And How to Get Rid of Eye Irritation

What Causes Eye Irritation And How to Get Rid of Eye Irritation. The eyes are the most sensitive organ of our body. It requires utmost care from us to keep it safe from infections and allergens. We should take all required precautions to maintain the long lifespan of our eyes and how to get rid of eye Irritation. If we ignore it, we can land with heavy glasses losing our precious eyesight.

Today, we are going to discuss the causes of eye irritation and how to get rid of eye irritation by following home remedies and medical consultations.

In general terms, eye irritation stands for any botheration in and around the eyes, the reasons can be multiple for the irritation.

You all must have encountered eye irritation at some point in time and it would have left you petrified. The eyes are our most important sense organ and our daily routine gets jeopardized if something starts inflicting our eyes. Being sensitive, it is difficult to bear the uneasiness and pain and we struggle to free ourselves from any infection, allergy, injury, etc.

Also, Read: What is The resolution of the Human Eye

What Causes Eye Irritation And How to Get Rid of Eye Irritation

Let’s first understand the common symptoms of eye irritation.
• Itchy eyes in the morning or at night
• Teary eyes
• Pain in eyes
• Blurred vision
• Redness in eyes
• Sensitivity to light
• Burning sensation
• Stinging sensation
• A headache
• Heaviness
• Dual image

What Causes Eye Irritation

1. Infection

Irritation in one eye or both eyes can be due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Eye infection leads to swelling of membranes around the eyes, mild or severe itching, continuous tears, pus or mucus discharge, and redness. At times, the eyelids or lashes stick due to mucus discharge. You should avoid rubbing your eyes with your hands or any cloth even if you have a strong urge to do it. There are chances of inflammations flaring up because of contaminated hands or handkerchiefs.

2. Foreign Particles:

Eyes have been sensitive and cannot stand a single particle of dust, not even stray eyelashes. At times, while dusting, traveling or in storms, there are chances of accidentally getting dust in the eyes. The irritation starts in eyes as soon as any foreign object enters our eyes and the eyes swell or becomes red. The people who work in fields or in factories should be extra careful with their eyes.

3. Styes:

It is the result of bacterial infection and it forms as a pimple inside or outside the edge of the eye. It irritates the oil glands of the eyelids and it causes irritation in the eyes. Styes disappear within a few days but if you are infected with persistent styes, then you should consult a doctor.

4. Eye Strain:

A strain is not a disease rather it is a symptom that needs to be taken care of. It happens due to excessive use of digital media, driving, reading, exposure to dim or bright lights, or doing any work which causes eye strain for an extended time period.

While concentrating on work, we forget to blink as many times as we normally do and this causes eye fatigue. The eyes require rest just as our body needs rest and overuse of eyes harms our eyes. Irritation in the eye and headache or heaviness persists due to eye strain.

5. Dry Eye:

The tear gland keeps our eyes moist and lubricated. In the event of dry eye, the quality, and quantity of tears produced by the tear gland are not up to the mark to maintain the requirement of our eyes. Dryness causes irritation, watery tearing or mucus, inflammation, and eye fatigue.

Dry eyes are caused by prolonged use of some medicines such as antihistamines, anti-depressants, normal aging, contraceptive pills, digital strain, after-effecting of some diseases, or constant exposure to cold and hot air.

6. Allergies:

It can be responsible for eye irritation, allergic conjunctivitis, and other discomforts. The allergies can be seasonal or perennial. It can be caused by pollen, mites, season change, dust, nasal irritation, pet dander, cosmetics, etc. It causes irritation in the eyes, water discharge, and redness in one or both eyes.

7. Irritants:

Exposure to chemical vapors, perfumes, pollution, dust, improper eye hygiene, and smoke can cause intense eye irritation. Nasal congestion leads to eye irritation and you will feel discomfort and pain in the eyes. Even it can result in sore eyes. We should pay attention not to overexpose to harmful irritants else it can cause serious damage to your eyes.

8. Blocked Tear Duct:

Eye irritation can be experienced in the case of a blocked tear duct. The tear glands supply tears to the eyes to keep them clean, moist and lubricated. The deficiency of tears causes irritation in the eyes and discomfort. It even leads to frequent eye infections.

9. Contact Lens:

Extended use of contact lenses, infected contact lenses, or dirty contact lenses can lead to irritation in the eyes. Eye irritation leads to redness in the eyes, watery tears, and a burning and stinging sensation. Contact lenses should be thoroughly cleaned after each use. It should be stored in a clean box and from time to time, the container should be sterilized. Contact lens requires care to avoid eye itching.

10. Eye Makeup Cosmetics:

Already discussed before, the eyes are our precious and sensitive sense organ. It needs extra care and caution to maintain its lifespan and keep it free from any eye hazards. Eye makeup is in vogue and while choosing eye makeup cosmetics, you should always go for reputed brands that use minimal chemicals.

Never ever use expired eye makeup products, it is bound to affect your eyes severely and it can start from eye itching and stinging sensation.
God has gifted us with beautiful eyes and we should take extra effort to maintain them.
If ever you experience any major eye complication, consult an eye specialist without fail.

How to Get Rid of Eye Irritation

Self-Care

Take extra care of your eyes to retain their power. It is important to check eye irritation and a few steps of eye care and eye hygiene can control the causes and symptoms of eye discomfort.

• Self-care is the best care. Maintain proper eye hygiene and use clean bedspreads and handkerchiefs.
• Clean your eyes with normal clean water.
• Increase intake of fresh fruits and veggies which is sufficient in Vitamin A because Vitamin A takes care of our eyes.
• Vitamin A and Omega 3 supplements can be added to your regimen for eye health.
• Limit your time to digital platforms and avoid long hours gazing at systems, mobile, or TV. Take frequent breaks between work and blink your eyes more often.
• Avoid overuse of the contact lens and keep it sterilized by following tips to maintain the contact lenses.

How to Get Rid of Eye Irritation

Cold Compress:

Apply cold compresses by dipping a clean cloth in ice water or cold water and wring the extra water. Place it over your eyes. Repeat this process thrice a day or more if required. It will soothe eye irritation and improve eye dryness.

Warm & Cold Compress:

You can use alternate warm and cold compress over your eyes by dipping the compress alternately in clean warm and cold water. It will help in swelling and itching and will check pus and mucus discharge.

Warm Compress:

Use the warm compress over your eyes to check for allergic conjunctivitis.

Eye compresses are easy to do, economical, and effective. It can be done after every 4-5 hours to control irritation, redness, pain, and swelling.

Cucumber Slices:

Place cold cucumber slices cut into circles over your eyes. It has a cooling effect on the eyes and takes care of itching, inflammation, and burning sensations. Cucumber has both medicinal and beautiful ingredients. It has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Cold Milk:

Use ice-cold milk for eye compression and its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties takes care of the eye itching and swellings. It relaxes the eyes and eases fatigue.

 Rose Water:

Pure rose water is soothing to the eyes and it can be used as an eye drops, eyewash, and eye compression. It has a soothing effect on the eyes and it relaxes the eyes.

Green Tea Bags:

This is packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It fights against eye infections. Boil water and immerse green tea bags and let them cool. Splash your eyes with water to soothe the eyes. Refrigerate tea bags and place them over your eyes to take care of the uneasiness in your eyes.

Saline Solution:

Rinse your eyes with salted water two-three times a day. It fights against allergies and cleans your eyes by cleaning residues inside the eyes caused by infection, allergy, or by irritants. Take boiled clean water to prepare a saline solution and let it cool.

Aloe Vera:

The medicinal properties of Aloe Vera fight against eye irritation and infections. It can be used as a gel by applied over the eyes. Aloe Vera juice can be used as an eye compression. Soak a compress in Aloe Vera juice and place it over closed eyes. Follow this twice a day till irritation persists. Rinse your eyes after Aloe Vera compression.

Castor Oil:

Use castor oil as eye drops to combat eye irritation. It has medicinal and cosmetic properties and it takes good care of our eyes. It acts as a lubricant for dry eyes.

Eye Drops and Antihistamine Eye Drops:

You can use eye drops and anti-allergic eye drops to fight against eye allergies, dry eyes, and eye strain. It is an OTC product and can be easily purchased at registered chemist shops.

Never Use Expired Products:

Check the expiry of the eye cosmetics and eye drops and refrain from using expiry products. It can aggravate the itching and burning sensations.

Medical Consultation

If an eye problem persists after following home remedies, then it is time to seek medical help. Consult with the best doctor in your area and take an opinion.
• Eye Drops may be prescribed to take care of persistent eye ailments. You should closely follow the doctor’s instructions.
• Antibiotics can be prescribed for infections, styes other issues. Complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed by the treating doctor.
• Nasal or Oral Antihistamines can be prescribed depending upon the intensity of the eye ailment faced by you.
• Nasal Sprays and decongestants can be prescribed to ease nasal congestion and eye irritation.
• Steroid injection over the eyelids in acute cases.

Word of Caution

Follow home remedies in the initial stage of itching and irritation. If the problem persists for more than three days, then seek a medical opinion. first of all, a Healthy diet and lifestyle should be followed religiously to take care of your eye health. A health care practitioner will guide you to take care of eye irritation and how to get rid of eye irritation. Never ignore any discomfort pertaining to the eyes, it can cost dearly.