Itching is expected in the corner of your eye, near the tear duct. This is usually uncomfortable but harmless.

In this article, Medical News Today explores the causes and treatment options for itching at the corner of your eye. It also discusses when you should see a doctor.

Older adults’ immune system is weakened, making these conditions more common.

Symptoms, causes, and treatments

Itchy eyes can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications, depending on the cause.

Infections, bacterial or viral, are the leading cause of itching at the corners of the eye. Some parts of the eyes may stop producing tears and not work correctly.

The following conditions can cause itchy eyes. Below, we will discuss the causes of itchy eyes and possible treatments.

Pink eye

Pink eye is also known as conjunctivitis. It occurs when the front of the eyes, or the cornea, irritates.

Symptoms include:

Itchy eyes

Red Eyes

Tense eyes

Swollen eyelids

Mucus discharge

Several different things can cause pink eye. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the three most common types of pink eyes are:

Allergic conjunctivitis – Triggers, Treatment

Allergic conjunctivitis is caused by an irritant that gets into the eyes and causes the conjunctiva swelling or inflammation. Allergic conjunctivitis can be uncomfortable but is not dangerous.

Allergens include:

Pollen

Animal hair

Dust mite feces

Mould

Several options for treating itching around your eyes in people with allergic conjunctivitis include antihistamines and medicated eye drops.

You can buy eye drops in pharmacies to dilute allergens. Ketotifen is an active ingredient, and it is an antihistamine.

Antihistamines can also provide relief. OTC products like loratadine, cetirizine, and fexofenadine can provide relief.

Viral conjunctivitis – Treatment and prevention

Conjunctivitis viral is highly contagious and spreads quickly from one person to another. It usually goes away on its own, but people can take steps to relieve the symptoms.

Included are:

Place a wet, cool washcloth on closed eyes to relieve itching

To reduce irritation, avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.

Resting the body so it can concentrate on fighting the virus

To avoid spreading the virus, washing your hands thoroughly before touching your face is essential. Also, do not share towels with other people.

Treatment and prevention of bacterial conjunctivitis

It is highly contagious. It can be caused by the same bacteria as strep.

There is often little or no discharge.

Depending on the severity of symptoms, a doctor may prescribe eye drops containing antibiotics.

The following steps are recommended to prevent the spread of bacterial conjunctivitis and reduce the risk of contracting it:

Washing hands often

Conjunctivitis can be spread through contact.

Do not share towels with others

Contact lenses should be cleaned thoroughly

Replace eye makeup after infection

Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease is sometimes called “dysfunctional tears syndrome” by doctors. This means that the person’s tears are not lubricating their eyes enough.

Normal blinking spreads tears over the cornea, the eye’s front surface. This helps keep the cornea moist and removes unwanted particles, which can lead to infection.

The tear ducts are located in the inner corners and drain any tears that remain after blinking.

Dry eye disease is caused by either not producing enough tears to lubricate and wash the eye, which doctors call keratoconjunctivitis scca, or when the tears produced are not the right mix of oil, mucus, and water to lubricate and wash the eye.

Common symptoms for dry eye disease include:

Itchy and irritated eyes

Feeling of something in the eyes

The feeling of “gritty” in the eyes

Burning sensations in the eyes

Watering excessively

Blurred Vision

How to manage the symptoms of dry eyes disease

Dry eye disease can cause damage to the front of the eyes and affect vision. It can be a chronic disease for some people.

Many people can still manage this problem by using the following methods:

• You can buy artificial tear solutions in pharmacies.
• Prescription-strength eye drops can help people produce more tears and reduce inflammation around the eyes.
• Warm compresses or massages of the eyelids may be helpful in relieving symptoms.

Tear ducts can be temporarily blocked in people with chronic dry eye disease. When the tear ducts become blocked, tears do not drain as quickly, and the eyes remain lubricated longer.

To block tear ducts, healthcare professionals can use removable gel or silicone plugs. In severe cases, the healthcare professionals may recommend a permanent surgery to permanently close tear ducts.

Tear duct infection

Dacryocystitis or an tear duct infection can cause itching at the corner of your eye. If a blocked tear duct prevents tears from draining away, bacteria can collect and cause infection.

A blocked tear duct can be caused by sinus infection or cold inflammation.

Other symptoms of itch include:

Inner corner swelling of the lower eyelid

Inner corner of the lower eyelid is affected by pain

The excessive tearing

Eye discharge

High body temperature or fever

Treatment

Dacryocystitis is usually treated with antibiotics. The infection can worsen if they don’t seek treatment.

A person who is prone to tear duct infection may require an operation. During surgery, a surgeon will widen the tear duct’s blocked or narrowed drainage canal.

Prevention

It depends on the root cause of itchy eyes to determine the best solution.

People with allergic conjunctivitis should try to reduce or avoid the triggers. If a person has a cat allergy, they should wash their hands immediately after petting the cat. This will minimize their exposure.

Dry eye sufferers should try to remember that they need to blink frequently when reading or watching a screen. Wearing sunglasses or increasing the humidity at work or home can help reduce symptoms.

When should you see a doctor

If conjunctivitis symptoms take longer than 1-2 weeks to go away, a person should speak to a doctor, as they may benefit from using prescription-strength medications.

Dry eye disease may worsen over time, and can damage the person’s vision. People should consult a doctor if they suspect they have dry eye disease.

Antibiotics are usually the only way to treat tear duct infections. If a person believes they may have dacryocystitis they should consult a doctor.

Outlook

The itch in the corner is usually not a problem. Some people may be able to treat their symptoms by using OTC medications or prescriptions from their doctors.

Dry eye disease is one condition that can worsen over time. People can manage dry eye disease with simple medications and preventive measures such as blinking more frequently and increasing humidity at home.

Summary

Itching at the corner of your eye can be caused by viruses and bacteria infecting the lining or tear duct. Itchy eyes can also be caused by allergies and the amount of tears produced and drained.

The majority of causes can be treated with OTC medications that relieve symptoms and reduce itching. If you have symptoms of dry eye or an infection, it is important to consult a doctor.