America’s suffering from the spring allergy season has only just begun.
The season, which typically runs from February through the summer, brings runny noses, hives, and watery, frustratingly itchy eyes.
Eye allergies are fairly common, with approximately 22 million Americans affected by the condition, according to New York’s Stony Brook Ophthalmology.
“Pollens, animal dander, dust mite feces, and mold are all triggers of allergic conjunctivitis, also called ocular allergy,” Harvard Health says.
But experts warn that there are other, more serious reasons for eye itching that people should watch out for.
“Itching is an extremely common eye symptom that may be caused by a broad range of conditions, from simple fatigue to an eye infection,” UCLA Health notes.
Allergy-related pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is the most common allergic eye problem, Stony Brook says.
Eye allergies occur when allergens like pollen, dust, and dander irritate the eyes, triggering them to produce a substance called histamine to fight the invaders.
Producing histamine causes the eyelids and the mucus membrane that protects the front of the eye to become red, swollen and itchy.
People with eye allergies typically have nasal allergies, as well. Both problems can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines and anti-allergy drops, as well as cold compresses to reduce swelling.
But what if the problem isn’t allergies? Well, there could be a few reasons your eyes are itching.
For one, pink eye can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, with symptoms lasting up to three weeks.
Dry eyes are also a common source of itch – the result of hormonal changes related to aging, taking certain medications, some autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and staring at screens without blinking. Blinking helps to keep the eyes moist.
“You’re constantly producing tears to moisten and lubricate your eyes. And if – for whatever reason – you’re not making enough to keep up, your eyes get really dried out, and that can cause that sensation of dryness and itchiness,” Dr. Jennifer Yu, a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at UW Medicine, said.
Artificial tears can help, as well as periodically closing your eyes.
Lastly, blepharitis and pterygium are lesser-known causes to watch out for.
A pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth of tissue on the dome-shaped outer layer at the front of the eye called the cornea and blepharitis is inflammation of the eyelids, according to UCLA Health.
It remains unknown how the growth forms, but any related irritation can be treated using eye drops and it can be surgically removed – though it may grow back.
Chronic blepharitis, with symptoms for months or years, is caused by poor hygiene, allergies and makeup use. Sudden symptoms can develop through bacterial or viral infections, infestations of mites or lash lice, trauma and an excessive amount of medications or supplements.
“Less commonly, there can be underlying systemic conditions that need consultation with other medical specialties like dermatology and rheumatology,” Johns Hopkins Medicine assistant professor of ophthalmology Dr. Lee Guo explained. “These conditions include skin cancer, connective tissue disease and immunologic conditions like cicatrizing conjunctivitis.”
Blepharitis can’t be permanently fixed, but it can be treated by cleaning the lids, using antibiotics, keeping the eyes lubricated, and sometimes by changing the diet.
You may need to eat more salmon and other omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods to help fight inflammation, Johns Hopkins Medicine says.
