Itchy Eyes

[Sasha13]

My eyes keep itching really badly, to the extent that I rub them so much it hurts. The only thing that seems to help is washing my face with cold water, although this doesn't stop it completely. I've tried a couple of things from the chemist like Opticron and false tears, but they don't seem to help. I don't think it's hayfever as I don't have any other symptoms. It's not conjunctivitis as I don't have sticky eyes. It's really annoying me, but it's not serious enough to see a GP!! Any ideas appreciated!!

[toecrusher]

sounds like hay fever to me, some people do just get one or two symptoms, others, get lots. I only get a runny nose, while my husband, gets flu like symptoms and feels terrible. Also dont be conned into buying expensive hay fever treatments, i use supermarket own brand hay fever tablets, containing Loratadine which work perfectly well.Let me know how you go on!

[acw]

Sounds like it would be worth seeing the GP.  Or an optician.  Your sight it something I'm sure you value really highly and you can never be too careful.  It does sound like hayfever to me, as toecrusher so rightly pointed out.  But it never hurts to double check.  People go to the GP for seemingly "petty" things, but if it's disrupting your daily life and it's a health problem, then go!  It won't do any harm - and you've paid to have that option available to you!  I hope it eases.  My hayfever is hell at the moment.  Good luck! :-)

[Sasha13]

Thanks guys, I think I'll buy some hayfever stuff and see if that helps, and if not I'll see a GP - another thing, do you both only suffer when you're outside? My eyes seem to be as bad indoors as outdoors which is something else that led me to believe that it couldn't be hayfever. Will still try the hayfever drugs though!

[gen2]

My wife has Sj�gren's syndrome.
Sj�gren's ("SHOW-grins") syndrome is a chronic disease in which white blood cells attack the moisture-producing glands. The hallmark symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth.

The product that she uses (in the UK) is called Visco Tears.

[toecrusher]

I suffer indoors or out doors, it makes no difference, as soon as i wake up my nose is running, and until we realised what was going on, my husband struggled to get out of bed cos he thought he had flu!

[acw]

I suffer indoors too.  I put it down to pollen getting on my clothes and then coming inside with me.  Or, in this stuffy heat, having to have the window open to save from melting, but that letting all the evil pollen in too.  Good luck! :-)

[Joe Shmoe]

Hi Sasha13. I suffer with many allergies. so it could be that.but if the allergy tablets do not work. it could be blepheritis (imflamation of the eye lids) I also suffer from this. One thing that you can get from the chemists is Broline Eye drops. this might help you.       

[Solarjunkie]

Sounds very much like the kind of thing a homeopath can help.

They can be very good at treating long term niggling problems, such as itchy eyes. They treat the cause, not just the symptoms. Worth every penny, in my humble opinion.

[Clanad]

Your description also fits the symptoms of blephiritis...Blepharitis is a medical condition relating to the inflammation of eyelids and eyelashes. It is characterized by white flaky skin near the eyelashes. Blepharitis usually causes redness of the eyes and itching and irritation of the eyelids. It cannot be cured, however, warm compresses do relieve the symptoms.  Additionally, a product available at most pharmacies is a box of individually wrapped towlettes.  They are pre-moistened and have a soapy substance on them.  They are rough in texture and one cleanses the eyelids, usually just before bedtime.  An antibiotic ointment is also available from prescription and should be used after the cleansing.  It's squeezed into the interior of the lower lid. A friend achieved almost complete relief of the symptoms using this system... Best of luck!

[Sasha13]

Thanks guys for all your ideas - I didn't expect so many replies. I've started with the hayfever drugs and (cross fingers) so far it seems to be a lot better, but if my eyes get bad again I'll start with the other suggestions. Thanks again for your answers, it's really appreciated. x

[graceful]

try cold tea on some cotton wool place it on your eyes works a treat

[Allie_Everwo]

I have the same problem (I think). It's not literally my eyes, but my eyelids and whatever you call it below the eye, where the skin is soft. It gets so itchy, I use 'hydrocortisone acetate cream and it usually relieves me of the discomfort.
This all started in late December when we got an actual pine tree for Christmas for the first time ever. I soon realised I was allergic to it thanks to the itchy and red eyes, and we got rid of it... But almost a year on and I still have the itchy eye problem.