Corners Of Eye Itchy
Is your eye itchy? There are a few things it could be. The diagnosis depends on what other symptoms you may be having in addition to the eye itching. A swollen itchy eyelid may be different than if the eye is itchy and red. So, if you are asking yourself, “why is my eye itchy?” keep reading to learn about the different causes.
Itchy Eye Corner
If your eye is itchy only in the corner, it is likely from a mild allergy or it could be from blepharitis. A mild allergy to something in your environment can cause make the corner of your eye itchy. It may or may not be associated with eye redness. Blepharitis usually does not cause eye redness. If you have blepharitis, the corner of your eye may be itchy along with having itchy eyelids. Blepharitis is an inflammatory problem of the eyelid, and it can cause the corners of the eye to be itchy along with the eyelids as well. Another reason the corner of your eye may be irritated is if there is something stuck in that area like an eyelash. This however is more likely to cause pain rather than itching.
Eye Is Itchy And Red
If your eye is itchy and red, there are three common things eye doctors will check you for.
(1) The first is ocular allergies. Ocular allergies can happen seasonally and this is usually the most common reason for them. As mentioned above, ocular allergies may or may not have a red eye.
(2) Another reason you may have an eye that is itchy and red is if you have an allergic reaction to something specific. Some common causes include being allergic to an eye drop that you are taking or maybe you started using new make up that is causing you to have an eye that is both itchy and red. If you have symptoms like sneezing and the allergy is triggered when you go outside, it may be a seasonal allergy. If the eye is itchy and red when you use a certain product on your face, then that is likely causing the problem.
(3) A third reason to have an itchy eye that is also red that is more concerning is conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis typically has discharge also. It also tends to be contagious. If you have conjunctivitis in one eye it is likely to spread to the other eye. Viral conjunctivitis is usually caused by a virus called adenovirus and it tends to be very contagious. If you have viral conjunctivitis, it may appear after you have had a cold. There is usually no prescription treatment for viral conjunctivitis. An ophthalmologist will advise you to wash your hands frequently and use artificial tears for comfort. Viral conjunctivitis can take 2 to 4 weeks to resolve. Bacterial conjunctivitis is different from viral conjunctivitis. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be more concerning depending on the bacteria that is causing it. Some bacteria are more dangerous than others. Bacterial conjunctivitis can be treated with an antibiotic eye drop prescribed by your ophthalmologist. The eye discharge in bacterial conjunctivitis can be yellow or even have a slightly greenish tinge to it.
(4) In extremely severe cases of blepharitis, the eye may also be red and itchy at the same time.
Related: Is Rubbing Your Eyes Bad?
Corners Of Eye Itchy: Take Home Points
The corners of your eyes may be itchy from a seasonal allergy, an environmental allergen, an allergic reaction to an eye drop or makeup, blepharitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, or viral conjunctivitis. If you have having eye pain or eye redness, you should see an eye doctor as soon as possible. An ophthalmologist can look under the microscope and figure out what is causing the corners of your eye to be itchy.
Sources:
Michael A. Lemp, Kelly K. Nichols, Blepharitis in the United States 2009: A Survey-based Perspective on Prevalence and Treatment, The Ocular Surface, Volume 7, Issue 2, Supplement, 2009, Pages S1-S14, ISSN 1542-0124,
Friedlaender MH. Ocular allergy. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Oct;11(5):477-82.
