Healthytalk8 Itchy eyelashes are common that affect many people if you see that they interfere with your sleep or work.
Then a person needs to visit the healthcare clinic, however, it is not a serious issue.
Eyelashes are important to protect the eye by stopping the particulate matter from getting inside the eye and also by diverting water and wind (1)
There are many reasons for itchy eyelashes, like allergy, fungal infection, etc, and health conditions can also be the root of this problem.
It also happens to me every year, which is so irritating, that sometimes I feel like removing the lashes forcefully.
But this is not a good way to treat, so here we will talk about itchy eyelashes and their treatment at home and medical.
Reasons for Itchy Eyelashes
Contents
Itchy eyelashes can be caused by various reasons, mostly, the underlying cause of itchy eyelashes is an external irritant.
Here are many potential reasons which include:
Allergies
It is one of the most common reasons for itchy eyelashes or eyes, this condition can cause include:
- Redness
- irritable
- watery eyes
- swelling
This allergic reaction can happen due to some ingredients, if is it possible make sure to avoid them.
- Makeup products (e g eye shadow, mascara)
- shampoo
- contact lens
- certain medicine
Our Immune system is responsible for defending the body against bad bacteria and viruses.
But in some cases, our immune system will defend against substances that typically don’t threaten the human body (1)
These substances are known as allergens, and when your body reacts to them, it causes an allergic reaction.
Frequent contact with allergic products (if you don’t what the exact cause of it), can make the condition worse.
Season change
Seasonal or year-round allergens can cause itchy eyelashes.
It is only when going from one season to another season, like in summer season to winter season interaction.
Seasonal allergens include – dust, and pollens from plants, such as weeds, grass, and trees.
Seasonal allergies are also called “hay fever“, or allergic rhinitis. hay fever, like its name, comes in the season of hay harvesting.
Itchy eye whether it is lashes or lid is the commonly seen symptom of allergy.
However, there are some other allergies such as skin and eye infections that you can get throughout the year.
Fungus
It is also commonly seen in those people who are not like to prefer cleaning and cleaning themselves.
So it is obvious it to leads fungus on hair, which even grows on eyelashes (3)
However, fungi cause this disease more often than gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria.
The most common cause of endogenous fungal endophthalmitis is C. Albicans.
In addition, a fungal eye infection can be a serious situation, and extremely rare, this occurs as a result of an eye injury.
Blepharitis
It is a common eye condition that affects both children and adults, making your eyelids swollen, red, itchy, and irritated (4) (5)
If you have dandruff, rosacea skin condition), oily skin, and allergies issues then you are more at risk of it (6)
Blepharitis can cause crusty dandruff-like flakes on your eyelashes (7).
Common symptoms of blepharitis apart from itchy eyelashes include:
- excessive blinking
- dry eye
- excessive tearing
- itching
- red eyelids
- swollen eyelids
- greasy eyelids
Eye mites
It is found on pets and animals and is thin cigar-shaped that comes from animals to your eyelashes.
They are normally harmless, however, sometimes too many live around your eyelashes can cause problems including:
- leads to dandruff
- irritation
- leave waste on eyelashes
- block oil passages around your eyelid edges
Dry eye syndrome
A condition where the affected person’s eyes do not produce enough tears to keep eyes or eyelashes lubricated.
Lack of lubricant can cause dryness in the eyelashes which lead to an itchy eye.
Phthiriasis palpebrarum
It is a rare type of eyelid infestation, commonly known as a louse, and crab lice (2)
These lice are often found on the hair of the thighs, eyebrows, chest, and eyelashes, which can cause itching and burning (3) (4).
Research has shown that itching on eyelashes or other public hair is due to cutaneous hypersensitivity towards lice saliva.
Conjunctivitis
An eye infection is also known as pink eye, bacterial and viral pink eye is very contagious.
The conjunctiva is a loose connective tissue that lies over the white part of the eye, and when this area is infected with any type of bacteria, causes pink eye.
Apart from itchy eyelashes, other common signs and symptoms of pink eye include:
- Discharging pus (9)
- watery eyes
- itchy eyes
- pink or red eye is the most commonly seen sign
- mucopurulent (both mucus and pus)
- persistent itching in the eye
- yellow, white, and green fluid coming from the eyes
Stye
It is also known as a hordeolum, a red bump that occurs on your eyelid edge, similar to an acne pimple.
It happens due to an infection of the oil glands on your eyelash follicle or the eyelid becomes blocked and gets infected.
This infection often causes itchy, pain, redness, etc.
In addition, there are several other reasons for itchy eyes including:
- Perennial allergies
- contact lenses
- airborne irritants
- Infection
- eyestrains
Treatment/Management
Treatment depends on the cause of it, however, most eyelash issues or conditions are managed by home remedies or naturally.
In mucous membrane pemphigoid disease, the patient needs to be assessed for the involvement of other mucosal areas.
There are several ways that you can do at home to manage or treat itchy eyelashes (7) including:
Over-the-counter eyedrops – They reduced the amount of histamine in the eye, recommended eye drop is more effective according to your itchy eyes.
Cleaning – keep your eyelashes or eyes clean, because most of its see that eye infection, due to dust, or mole, leads to itchy eyelashes.
So make sure to wash your eyelashes with tea tree oil, and if you have blepharitis, then use the cloth to stop oil from gathering in your eyelashes.
Warm or cold compresses – warm can help in reducing the sticky buildup of discharge that forms on your eyelashes.
On other hand, cold compresses and relieves itching and inflammation in your eye.
Keep eyes hydrated – Tears play a vital role in protecting our eyes from germs, and irritations, which also contain antibodies, and protein, that can kill germs.
You can hydrate your eyes with these things such as:
- Artificial tears
- eye drops, to wash away bacteria or viruses, but first talk to your doctor about your situation.
Creams – Prescribed cream, and lotion are enough to prevent itchy eyes among other eye conditions.
Make sure don’t use strong products, because they can thin the skin of the eyelid, and also avoid getting the cream into your eye.
NOTE: It is vital to find the root cause of your itchy eye or lashes, skin conditions like dandruff, and dry eye, can lead to blepharitis.
How To Prevent Itchy Eyelashes?
There are several ways to prevent itchy eyelashes including:
- Wash all your sheets, cloths, and towels often
- apply warm and cold compresses
- make sure, to maintain good hygiene of the eyes
- stay hydrated
- avoid giving anything that is related to your eyes
- take enough sleep
- avoid shaking hands with someone after touching eyes
- don’t share your makeup kit or if it is possible to avoid eye makeup for these days
- avoid wearing contact lens
- make sure do not rub or often touch your eyes, it may make the irritation worse
If you wear contact lenses, then it is better to avoid wearing contact lenses at this time, until your eye irritation completely clears up.
In the long term, contact lenses also lead to allergic pink eye, In this case, you may stop wearing contact.
Down Line
Itchy eyelashes are common eye problems, that can easily be managed or prevented by home treatment within a few days.
If it doesn’t go away easily or becomes worse when you should consult your doctor, which will find its exact cause and treat it.
