Page 58 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

56 COMMON CONDITIONS

EYE AND EAR PROBLEMS

Itchy eyes

Itchy eyes often look red, and there may also be irritation and a burning feeling. You may want to rub them
continually. Anything that irritates the eyes, such as smoky atmospheres, dust, or infection, can produce
itching, as can allergies such as hay fever or reactions to chlorinated swimming pools, cosmetics, or eyedrops.
Sometimes, the edges of the eyelids can become infected. This condition, called blepharitis, results in sore,
dry eyes with crusts on the eyelashes. Blepharitis is more common in people who have skin conditions such
as dandruff. You may also develop itchy eyes occasionally if you wear contact lenses.
See also Dandruff, p.49; Dry eyes, opposite page; Conjunctivitis, p.58; Contact lens problems, p.60.

See your doctor first
DRUG REMEDIES
Make an appointment to see your doctor
to establish the cause of itchy eyes. Artificial tear drops and gels
containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose keep the eyes
moist and help relieve itching (see EYE LUBRICANTS,
p.182). Don’t wear contact lenses while using these.
What you can do yourself
The following steps can help relieve the problem
or be used with any treatment from your doctor.
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
● Avoid rubbing your eyes, since this can
aggravate itching and can spread an infection. Cleaning your eyelids Unless your
● To help soothe allergic itching and irritation, use doctor advises otherwise, try the following steps
a cold compress. Soak a clean cloth (or cotton balls to help control blepharitis.
or pads) in cold water, wring it out, and lay it ● Soak a clean washcloth in warm water, wring it
gently on your eyes for a few minutes. Repeat as out, then gently press it on your closed eyelid for
needed, using a clean cloth or pads each time. about 5 minutes. This softens and loosens any crusts.
● Mix a little water with an equal amount of baby
● Use artificial tears to help soothe itching due shampoo. Dip a cotton swab in the mixture, squeeze
to allergies or to irritants such as dust and smoke it out, and roll it along the edge of each eyelid to
(see DRUG REMEDIES, right). clean off debris and crusts. Rinse the eyelids with
water, and dab them dry with a clean towel.
● To find out if itching is caused by sensitivity to
● Repeat, using a clean cloth, for the other eye.
cosmetics, soap, or face or hair products, stop using ● Clean your eyelids each morning and bedtime until
them, then reintroduce items one by one to see if they improve, then once daily to prevent a recurrence.
the problem returns. Throw away old eye makeup;
don’t keep mascara more than 6 months.
● If you have inflamed eyelids and crusty lashes,
treat them with an eyelid-cleaning regimen (see Seek further medical advice
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right).
Arrange to see your doctor again if:
● Symptoms persist for more than 48 hours