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Itchy, scratchy eyes!!

(9 Posts)
Grandyma Thu 17-Nov-22 19:02:56

For the past few weeks my eyes are itchy and scratchy. I’ve tried otc drops thinking it might be dry eyes but they haven’t helped. Today I saw the pharmacist who’s now given me drops for allergies - I’ll see if they help. Any advice or experience of this would be greatly appreciated.

crazyH Thu 17-Nov-22 19:11:50

Yes, I went through a stage when I had awful itchy eyes, which made the skin under my eyes sore. My Doctor said it was due to the fact that I was crying a lot (actually I was going through a painful divorce at that time). He started me on Antihistamines and a mild steroid cream. Problem sorted.
I’m sure that’s why your pharmacist gave you antihistamines. But if it doesn’t settle, talk to your GP. Good luck.

crazyH Thu 17-Nov-22 19:13:12

What I meant was, your Pharmacist suspects it’s an allergic reaction to something.

lixy Thu 17-Nov-22 19:18:54

Hayfever makes my eyes itchy. I'm also allergic to pine - so an indoor Christmas tree is not on, nor is a pine wreath on the door.

I find splashing my eyes with cold water several times a day helps. I guess it's because that washes away any pollen and also soothes the eyes.

If the anti-histamine helps then you can try to track down what you are allergic to. It may be something like the microscopic moulds from the falling leaves at this time of year.

Washerwoman Thu 17-Nov-22 19:23:58

I had blepharitis earlier this year for the first time ever.It started with itchy eyes but then I noticed tiny little white spots on the very edge of my eyelids.The oil glands had become clogged up.It was most likely caused by having the heated blower on in my car on high -my optician said it's common in winter. Could it be something like that?They gave me some soothing drops and eye wipes.They advised cotton pads soaked in warm water as a compress,which I did.I then got a microwavable eye mask from Amazon and popped that on several times a day.It really helped.Good luck.

Hetty58 Thu 17-Nov-22 19:30:00

My hayfever is still bothering me - as the weeds, moulds etc. are all going mad outside in this warm weather. Still, I bought a new pillow (and dust mite proof case) and noticed, the next morning, that my congestion/sniffles had disappeared entirely. I could breathe perfectly through my nose - bliss! My friend kept complaining about her eyes stinging and was using eyedrops all the time. She ran out of her usual wrinkle cream - and it stopped instantly - so, it seems, the irritation was due to it getting into her eyes!

Gardenersdelight Thu 17-Nov-22 19:31:52

The other cause can be good old menopause! I'm on on moisturising drops from opticians that have helped
It's both amazing and horrifying the amount of things the drop in hormones has an effect on!

silverlining48 Thu 17-Nov-22 19:33:20

I wondered about dry eye ( blepharitus) too. My dh started it after cataract surgery.

Grandyma Thu 17-Nov-22 19:36:19

Thanks for all your helpful replies. I’ve never suffered from hay fever but I’m thinking it is most likely an allergy to something. Very unpleasant.