Dry, itchy eyes? Try these 7 home remedies to soothe your eyes

Cold and dry weather can, in turn, cause dry, itchy eyes. Therefore, you may experience these uncomfortable symptoms this fall and winter season. In addition to dryness and itching, Dry eyes in winter can also lead to dry eyes redness, burning or stinging sensation, light sensitivity, foreign body sensation, eye strain and more. Fortunately, there are home remedies you can use to relieve itchy, dry eyes.

If the problem persists or you have eye problems or questions, contact your ophthalmologist to schedule an appointment for an eye exam.

Why do I get itchy, dry eyes?

You may experience dry or itchy eyes for various reasons. This can be frustrating, but it can also be a serious health problem that you need to address. You may have dry, itchy eyes for any of the following reasons:

• allergies
  
• Problems with contact lenses
  
• Eye infection
  
• Pink eye
  
• Irritating to eyes
  
• Chronic dry eye
  

All of these problems can become serious if left untreated for a long time as they can potentially cause damage to your eyes.

Common symptoms of dry and itchy eyes

In addition to dryness and itching, other symptoms of dry eyes may include:

• Redness
  
• Blurred vision
  
• Sensitivity to light
  
• Burn
  
• Mucous substance around the eyes
  

How to treat dry eyes

Many things that cause dry eyes and itching can be treated from home. Here’s what you can try.

Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated helps you stay fit eyes moist and produce healthy tears. According to the Mayo Clinicmen should consume 15.5 cups of water daily; ladies, 11.5 cups. Please note that these recommendations also include water from consumed foods.

Use a humidifier

Your eyes can dry out if the air around you is too dry. Using a humidifier in your home can add value moisture back into the airwhich can soothe some of the dry eyes you experience. This can be especially useful in the colder months when the air is drier.

Consume omega-3 fatty acids

Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids can help relieve dry eyes. You can get omega-3 fatty acids from supplements or foods such as salmon or tuna. It is believed that the omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation in your eyes. The inflammation may be related to dryness and itching, and research shows that reducing inflammation can in turn reduce itching.

Wash your eyelashes

It is always important to wash your eyelashes gently as they are quite close to your eyes and can cause damage if you are not careful. If you get eyelash extensions or use false eyelashes, you are even more likely to experience eye problems because these eyelashes can get dirt or bacteria into your eyes. Research has made a connection eyelash extensions against eye conditions such as dry eyes, so make sure you keep your eyelashes and the surrounding area clean.

Blink quickly

Blinking rapidly can do a number of things for your eyes. First, it can help to remove any debris from your eye if that is causing the problems. The blinking also encourages your tears moisturize your eyes. When you are exposed to the air, your eyes dry out naturally, but blinking brings back the moisture and removes anything unwanted.

Try a warm or cold compress

Placing a warm compress over your eyes can help relieve the irritation. According to Harvard Healtha warm compress encourages your tear ducts to produce tears. A cool compress, on the other hand, can soothe any inflammation or irritation you experience.

Use eye drops or medications

Taking medication is always an option if you have a lot of dryness and itching. Over-the-counter eye drops can help moisturize your eyes, reduce redness and relieve itching. If you see a doctor, you may also be given a prescription medication that encourages tears. Your doctor may suggest addressing the cause (such as allergies).

Read more: 10 things you should do every day to protect your eye health

What not to do

There are a few things you can avoid as they will only make your dry eyes worse. Try to avoid the following:

• Rubbing your eyes
  
• Blow air directly into your eyes
  
• Smoking
  
• Great heights
  
• Places with dry air, such as deserts or airplanes
  
• Wearing contact lenses for too long
  

When should you see an ophthalmologist?

If dry, itchy eyes lead to more intense symptoms such as nausea, swelling, or vision loss, it’s time to see an ophthalmologist. Dry eyes can be manageable at home, but once it starts affecting other parts of your body, it’s a sign of a bigger problem. If your vision has changed while you are experiencing itching (double vision, spots in your vision, etc.), this is especially a problem and you should see a doctor immediately.