Itchy eyes

Why does the inner corner of your eye itch?

The mucous membranes of the eye are sensitive and easily prone to itching. Itchy eyes are a common cause of itching on the face and can be caused by a variety of things:

• An allergy: allergic conjunctivitis is very common, recurring every year at the same time or lasting all year, and often affecting both eyes at the same time. Allergic conjunctivitis is characterized by red, watery and itchy eyes. Other types of allergies are possible, such as a contact allergy to a makeup product.
• Dry eyes: very frequent, dry eyes are due to age, pollution, screens, certain medications, etc. It results in tingling, itchy eyes and a feeling of sand in the eyes.
• An infection: viral or bacterial conjunctivitis, styes and blepharitis are examples of eye infections that cause itching. In the majority of infections, only one eye is affected, at least initially. Symptoms are usually red and painful eyes and itching.
• A foreign body: the severity depends on the type of foreign body and its level of penetration into the eye. Dust and grains of sand that settle on the surface of the eye cause discomfort or even severe pain, tearing, redness and itching, but are generally harmless to the eye structures. On the other hand, pieces of metal or other material that penetrate deeper into the eye, especially in the workplace, require emergency treatment because they can cause serious eye damage.

In some cases, it is the outer corner of the eye that itches, and the skin is very thin and fragile in this area. Beware of the risk of skin irritation, even eczema of the eyelids.

How do you relieve itchy eyes?

In cases of itchy eyes, it is often necessary to consult a general practitioner or an ophthalmologist. The doctor will examine the eye and prescribe eye drops adapted to the type of eye condition they have diagnosed. Do not use drops prescribed for another eye problem or for another person: not all eye drops are the same!
In cases of allergic conjunctivitis, itchy eyes are often associated with other symptoms such as runny nose or watery eyes. The doctor can prescribe both local medications such as eye and nose drops and oral anti-histamines.

When performing local treatments:

• Wash hands before handling the eyewash.
• Rinse the eye with physiological saline. Don't hesitate to place the saline in a cool place for greater relief of itching. Flooding the eye with the saline solution cleanses it well and removes all impurities.
• Tilt your head back slightly to instill the eye drops. Pull on the lower eyelid down to place a drop within the lower conjunctival sac. This time, there is no need to flood the itchy eye as it is not more effective because the excess will roll down the cheeks. One drop is enough, to be repeated several times a day according to the medical prescription.
• While applying the eye drops, do not touch the itchy eye or the eyelashes with the tip of the bottle or the nozzle. Also, do not touch the tip with your fingers.
• After applying, close the eyes and press on the internal corner of the itchy eye this will optimize the effectiveness of the eye drops.
• Do not reuse single-use single-dose capsules, even if there are still eye drops in it.
• Spray a little thermal spring water onto closed eyelids to eliminate the excess of eye drops which would have fallen beside the itchy eye.
• If along with the itchy eye you also have itchy eyelids, a doctor can prescribe a soothing moisturizing cream adapted to the eye contour, or even a cortisone cream over a few days in cases with heavy inflammation. Apply the creams by following the bony edge of the eye socket with large circular movements and keeping your eyelids closed.
• Avoid scratching your eyes or rubbing your eyelids: easier said than done, yet this advice is essential when you have itchy eyes. There is a long-term risk of irreversible damage to the eye if it is scratched too hard. The use of warm water or thermal spring water compresses on the itchy eyes can help reduce the itching.