what would cause red itchy eyes?

Answer 1

There could be several causes...
allergies
getting something such as dust in your eyes
a cold coming on
an infection in your eyes
If it persists, see your doctor.

Answer 2

Out of the blues red, itchy eyes? Maybe a new allergy you weren't exposed to before now, or maybe the water you showered in has new chemicals in it for purification ( our local water supply gets chemicals switched back and forth every 6 months.. you can smell the difference when they change) and it got in your eyes. Have you been around anyone who smokes and you aren't used to it? Or have you drank too much in the last 24 hours? Gone too long without sleep? ALL these things can cause red, itchy eyes. If it persists, see your doc.

Answer 3

It could be any of the things already mentioned, but I wanted to chime in to suggest that you persue it and find out for sure what it is.
When I was young, I had cronic red itchy eyes. Every morning I woke up with so much sleep that it was difficult to open my eyes. The doctor said it was a number of things - from allergies to lack of vitamins to a bacterial infection. Well the best treatment that he eventually offered was bacitracin, which was to fight a bacterial infection. It helped, but it didn't go away, it just was a little better in the mornings. When I got older and saw a new eye doctor, they immediately put me on a steriod treatment, which completely cured it in a couple of months. I lived with it for years and it could have been cured in a couple of months.
I'm not saying it's what you have, but just be sure that you see a good doctor to find out what it is.

Answer 4

I'm a nurse. Allergies, irritation or an allergic reaction to something. I would take an over the counter allergy medication and see if that helps you. Also warm cloths are good too. If you are still having problems, it could be pink eye, see a doctor. You would then need antibiotic eye drops for an eye infection. If you see puss or any form of drainage, you should be seen. There isn't any otc medication for an eye infection and you need your eyes to see, right? An infection would get worst if no treatment.

Answer 5

Anything from allergies to pollen to diesel exhaust to dirt and dust can irritate eyes. Infections also cause itching. Did you rub your eyes with dirty hands? Were you in a room with a bunch of smokers? Working in a dust place?

If there are other symptoms such as discharge, you should see your doctor for a full evaluation and diagnosis. It could be temporary irritation or it could be an infection. See a doctor as soon as you can. Your eyes are too important to leave up to Yahoo.

Answer 6

A Sign Spring (or Fall) Is In the Air

Red, itchy, and watery eyes are a true sign that Spring (or Fall) is in the air for those who suffer from pollen allergies. More than twenty two million people in the United States suffer from red, itchy, watery eyes caused by allergies. Although there are four main types of allergic eye disease, the focus of this article is allergic conjuctivitis.

What is Allergic Conjunctivitis?

The swelling and redness of the clear membrane of the eyelid and eye is called conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction on the surface of the eyes and eyelids. This condition is also referred to as ocular allergies or allergy eyes.

Offending Allergens

The common allergens causing allergic conjunctivitis include pollens, dust mites, mold spores, animal dander and feathers, perfumes, and food sensitivities.

Is it Allergy?

With a simple blood test you can "Know for Sure"
www.IsItAllergy.com

Also, known contributors in recent years, include topical medications, contact lenses, and contact-lens solutions.
Humidity, temperature, and a person's activity are all factors that affect the intensity, frequency, and duration of allergic conjunctivitis. Hot and dry weather usually intensify and aggravate the condition, whereas, cooler temperatures seem to alleviate the symptoms.

Symptoms

Itching is the most common symptom of allergic conjunctivitis, as well as other forms of allergic eye disease. The itching can range from mild to severe. Also suggestive of ocular allergy is a personal or family history of hay fever, allergic rhinitis, asthma or atopic dermatitis.

Allergic conjunctivitis can produce two types of eye discharge - serous and mucoid. A serous discharge is watery, whereas, the mucoid discharge is stringy or ropy.

Other symptoms include redness, tearing, swelling, burning or a sensation of fullness in the eyes or eyelids, an urge to rub the eyes, sensitivity to light and, occasionally, blurred vision.

Treatment

Establishing the cause is the first step in treating allergic conjuctivitis. Self diagnosis or treatment is not always the best option. A physician or eye care professional should be consulted to determine if your symptoms are from allergies or an infection (either bacterial or viral). The treatment would depend on the cause. If the cause is determined to be allergy-related, the next step would be to elimate exposure to the offending allergens.

At all times, fingers should be kept out of eyes. Avoid scratching or rubbing the eyes because it will only make the symptoms worse. Rather than rubbing the eyes, apply cold compresses to the eyelids to alleviate symptoms since cold is a mast cell stabilizer and a vasoconstrictor.

To remove mucous and allergen material from the eye, a simple irrigation with normal saline solution or artificial tears can be helpful to dilute the allergens.

Oral antihistamines often help to relieve eye discomfort, but may also cause more ocular symptoms by decreasing tear production. Other measures used for treatment include vasoconstrictors, antihistamine drops, and topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents and mast-cell stabilizers. Some patients with allergic conjunctivitis benefit from immunotherapy.

There are many over-the-counter and prescription eye drops available that treat eye allergy symptoms. Over-the-counter eye drops usually only offer short-term relief, making prescription eye drops the more beneficial treatment for the long time sufferer.

There has been a significant increase in the number of medications available to treat allergic eye conditions. At first only cromolyn sodium was available, but now other options include the prescription drops Acular, Livostin™, and Patanol®, or the over-the-counter drops Naphcon-A, Opcon-A, and Visine A, formerly known as OcuHist. Keep in mind, this is not an entire list of medications available.

In severe cases, an opthamologist may prescribe a short course of corticosteroid eye drops.

Answer 7

Sometimes something more serious. If you have been using eye drops and they aren't getting better and they drip green infection they you might have pink eye.

This is very cureable with a simple eye drop from you doctor.

In the mean time - before you see the doctor becareful not to spread with infection if this is what you have. If you wash you face don't use the cloth on the other eye - the infection will spread. It can aslo spread to other people!

Answer 8

Usually it's allergies, I know cause my mother-in-law gets them often, but they are watery, if it's allergies. It could also be if you didn't get enough sleep. Sometimes you have something in your eye that you don't notice, or an infection. Like when you touch something, and then touch your eye, without washing your hands. You got to be careful, theirs lot of diseases going around

Answer 9

Conjunctival inflammation typically occurs from infection, allergy, or irritation. Symptoms are conjunctival hyperemia and ocular discharge and, depending on the etiology, discomfort and itching. Diagnosis is clinical; sometimes cultures are indicated. Treatment depends on etiology and may include topical antibiotics, antihistamines, mast cell stabilizers, and corticosteroids.
Please see the web pages for more details on Conjunctivitis.

Answer 10

Eyes may become red when foreign particles like dust and sand enter the eye.Avoid touching and rubbing the eye.More information and remedies at http://eye-care.in/redeyes.html

Answer 11

Pretty much everything around you. Dust, bacteria, danda(allergies), scratching, swimming in a over medicated pool, Dehydration, smoke, dry eyes. Visien works well to eliminate this problem.