How To Stop the Corner of Your Eye From Itching

Itchy eyes are an uncomfortable and common problem that everyone has experienced at one point or another. When your eyes are irritated, it’s hard to keep your hands away from them — but if you itch, the issue only gets worse.

Instead of scratching and itching, read below to find helpful, practical solutions for itchiness around the corners of your eyes from the experts at Pair.

What Are Some Causes and Solutions for Itchy Eyes?

Itchy eyes can have various causes, including allergies, irritants, infections, and more. Let’s take a look at the most common causes of itchiness around the corners of the eyes, along with their solutions:

Allergies

An allergic response occurs when your immune system mistakenly perceives something that’s harmless (an allergen) as a threat. Your body then releases histamines, which can cause uncomfortable allergy symptoms like itchy and dry eyes.

Mold, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander are some of the most common allergens — they’re also key offenders when it comes to itchy eyes. Additionally, they can cause watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy noses, and other symptoms.

Luckily, dealing with itchy eyes from allergies is often simple. You might only need over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines to handle seasonal allergies if they’re mild to moderate.

However, if you frequently experience itchy eyes due to allergies, it might be time for an appointment with a specialist. Treatments like immunotherapy (allergy shots) can make a big difference in cases of chronic seasonal allergies.

Dry Eyes

When your tear ducts work well, they keep your eyes lubricated and comfortable. However, when your eyes don’t produce enough tears or the tears evaporate too fast, the result can be itchy, dry eyes.

If you’re experiencing itchiness around the corners of your eyes, dryness might be the cause. Too much screen time can be a factor here, especially if you stare at a computer monitor for long hours at work.

Taking a break from looking at a screen is a practical way to prevent itchiness caused by dry eyes. Over-the-counter eye drops and artificial tears can also help manage your symptoms when they appear.

Pink Eye

Also known as conjunctivitis, pink eye is a common (and highly contagious) eye condition caused by inflammation of the conjunctiva, a clear tissue that lines the inside of your eyelid and covers the white of your eye.

Pink eye, as the name suggests, causes discoloration in the eye to the point where it may look pink or red. That said, itchiness, along with discharge and a gritty feeling, is often one of the most uncomfortable symptoms.

If you’re dealing with itchiness due to pink eye, the first step is determining what type of conjunctivitis you have. If you have allergic conjunctivitis, for instance, treatment will look different from viral conjunctivitis. Once you know what you’re dealing with — most likely after a visit to the doctor — you can start treating your symptoms.

Treatment for viral conjunctivitis usually involves cold compresses and artificial tears to manage the symptoms while the condition goes away on its own. Meanwhile, allergic conjunctivitis usually requires antihistamine eye drops or a similar treatment.

Contact Lenses

Problems with contacts are another common cause of itchy eyes. Sometimes, itchiness can be a sign that you’re allergic to the material used to make your contacts. However, in most cases, it indicates you’ve been wearing your contacts for too long without a break or aren’t cleaning them properly.

Proper contact lens hygiene is the best way to keep itchiness, red eyes, and other symptoms at bay. Always swap out your contact cases at least once a month and use a specialized saline solution to clean the lenses every morning and night.

In addition, make sure to get rid of your contacts when you’ve reached the end of their lifespan, whether that’s a month or just a day.

Blepharitis

This common eye condition is a form of eyelid inflammation that can lead to itchiness, crusting, redness, and a gritty feeling in your eyes. It’s an eye infection caused by clogged oil glands at the base of your eyelashes, so topical antibiotics are often the main form of treatment.

In addition to topicals, compresses can be helpful when dealing with irritated eyes from blepharitis. You might also want to visit your eye doctor to see if they recommend further treatment beyond home remedies, especially if your blepharitis isn’t clearing up after a few days.

Eye Irritants

Sometimes, a foreign object — a piece of dust, dirt, or even eye makeup — can get trapped in the corner of your eye, causing itchiness and irritation.

This problem is easy to rectify by removing the foreign object from your eye. However, it’s important to do so carefully to avoid causing more irritation. Keep your hands clean when dealing with an eye irritant, and try using eye drops to flush it out rather than fishing it out by hand.

What Are Some Tips To Prevent Itchy Eyes?

Now that you know some of the most common causes of itchy eyes, let’s review our top tips to help you dodge the itch:

Limit Your Screen Time

As you’ve learned, screen time is a common cause of dry eye syndrome, which can, in turn, lead to itchiness. If you’re not taking breaks often enough, you might notice that your eyes get dry, itchy, and uncomfortable. Stepping away from the screen for even a few minutes can be helpful in the long run.

A good rule to keep in mind is the 20-20-20 principle: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. Putting this rule into practice while using a computer will help you avoid common eye problems.

Practice Eye Health Care

Eye hygiene is a big deal, especially if you want to avoid conjunctivitis or blepharitis. To reduce your risk of contracting these eye diseases, make sure to always watch your hands before you touch your eyes, especially if you’re putting in your contacts. In addition, always take off eye makeup before bed to avoid irritation and infection.

Another crucial aspect of eye hygiene is not sharing your products with others. Passing around makeup brushes, eyeliner, and washcloths is never a good idea, even if it’s common in shared living spaces. Invest in your own products to avoid picking up germs from others.

Protect Your Eyes From the Sun

Harsh UV rays can irritate your eyes and make them dry and itchy. Additionally, wind, dust, and other environmental factors can make your eyes even more uncomfortable. A pair of sunglasses can make a big difference in your eye health when spending time outside.

Wearing sunglasses outdoors protects your eyes from irritants in your environment. Plus, it’s an easy habit to form. With a pair of Pairs, you can slip magnetic sun tops over your Base Frames to instantly turn your glasses into sunglasses.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water can prevent dry eyes, which can stop the itch. You might be surprised by how often you’re dehydrated if your water intake lines up with the average American's! More fluids can benefit your health in other ways, too, so be sure to drink up.

Leave Your Eyes Alone

If you can, try your best to avoid itching your eyes. This can be difficult if you’re experiencing an allergic reaction or have an irritating foreign object in your eye. However, if you’re able, leaving your eyes alone can prevent an infection from forming and stop new bacteria from entering your eye.

Using over-the-counter treatments like artificial tears can help you seek relief from the itch without touching the corners of the eyes. If rubbing your eyes is your bad habit, do whatever you can to break it to protect yourself from bacterial and viral infections.

Wrapping Up

Taking good care of your eyes is an investment in your health and can help you avoid uncomfortable symptoms like itchiness.

If you’re struggling to deal with chronically itchy eyes, make sure to visit an eye care specialist like an optometrist or ophthalmologist. An ophthalmology expert can provide tailored medical advice, help you get to the bottom of the issue, and give you actionable steps to stop the itch.

For more information on all things eye care, head on over to the Pair blog.

Sources:

Food Allergies: What You Need to Know | FDA

Conjunctiva: Anatomy, Function & Common Conditions | Cleveland Clinic

Drinking Water Intake in the US | USDA

Itchy eyes - causes, treatment, and self-help | Health Direct