Itchy eyelids and other symptoms: swelling, redness, peeling

Even a perfectly healthy person can sometimes have a slight itching of the eyelids - for example, if dust gets into the eyes or when the direction of eyelash growth changes. But more often, itching becomes a sign of a malfunction inside the body. For example, this sometimes happens when an infection gets into the eye, with systemic allergic and viral diseases, with dry eye syndrome, and also against other pathological conditions.

What can an itchy eyelid indicate? What diseases are most often associated with this symptom?

[1], [2], [3]

Causes of the itchy eyelids

When itching starts to bother to a great extent, then any person who is monitoring their health wants to know the reasons for such discomfort.

Eye diseases affect a third of the population of our planet. Pathologies can occur after foreign particles get into the organ of vision - dust, organic, chemical, etc. Also, food, common diseases (eg, SARS), skin diseases, demodicosis, and allergies can be to blame. Even a long contemplation of the screen of a smartphone, computer or TV can lead to the appearance of itchy eyelids.

How to understand the causes of uncomfortable condition?

• Severe itching of the eyelids occurs when inflammation of the ocular conjunctiva. This pathology is both infectious and allergic in nature. An infectious inflammatory process, in turn, can be triggered by microbes, or viruses, or even fungi. Conjunctivitis can be transmitted through contact - through unwashed hands or household objects.
• Another common cause is allergy - the strongest response of the human immune system to the introduction of any particular substance. Most often, allergic itching of the eyelids has seasonal characteristics and can be associated with the presence in the environment of particles of plant pollen, or animal hair, dust, etc.
• Prolonged itching of the upper and lower eyelids is characteristic of blepharitis, an inflammatory process that affects the edges of the eyelids. Blepharitis, in turn, may be the result of infectious-inflammatory reactions in nearby structures, or traumatic and chemical damage.
• Recurrent itching and dryness of the eyelids often appear as a result of anemia, deficiency of vitamin and mineral substances, diseases of the digestive tract, helminth infections, dental problems, chronic diseases. Quite often, itching is accompanied by many other diseases that are not related to ophthalmic pathologies.
• Severe itching and peeling of the eyelids can be caused by scaly blepharitis, and if the scales exfoliate and ulcers form, then we can talk about ulcerative blepharitis. Such a disease requires a rather complicated and long-lasting treatment, with the initial identification and elimination of the root cause of the pathology.
• Itching under the eyelid or in the upper eyelid area is often the first sign of ripening barley. Barley is a purulent inflammatory element in the hair follicle. It, in turn, develops as a result of infection of the eyelash or into the sebaceous gland. Pathology often appears after hypothermia, with a strong decrease in immunity.
• The itching of the eyelids and eyebrows, which is aggravated at night, is a consequence of demodicosis, a parasitic disease caused by the introduction of demodex into the skin. Itching can be common, all over the face, or from the eyes to the forehead. This disease is successfully treated, but for this you need to contact a dermatologist.
• Glaucoma or cataracts are also sometimes itchy around the eyes. This symptom occurs along with doubling of vision, the appearance of circles before the eyes, a feeling of constant discomfort. These diseases, in turn, arise against the background of impaired fluid flow, increased pressure inside the eye. A cataract, for example, is a common problem with diabetes.

There are other reasons for the appearance of uncomfortable sensations in the eye. For example, itchy eyelid and rhinitis are symptoms that sometimes manifest themselves in acute respiratory viral infections and influenza. After curing the underlying pathology, this itching goes away on its own.

Itchy eyelids and redness can be periodically observed in people who use contact lenses - especially prolonged wear. To help your eyes and eliminate itching, you need to consult a doctor and consult about the additional use of special eye drops. No less often, itching and swelling of the eyelids of the eyes are caused by improperly selected lenses or liquid for them. In this situation, you also need to visit a doctor and correctly choose accessories.

If a person spends time at a computer monitor for a long time, or doesn’t look away from the screen of a smartphone, then itching of the ciliary edge or of the corners of the eyes can be observed due to drying of the mucous tissues of the eye. To avoid such problems, you need to periodically translate the view to other objects, to perform a special "eye" gymnastics.

Itching of the face and eyelids may be caused by taking certain medications - for example, antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Hormonal disorders, malfunctions of the thyroid gland in many people cause dry skin and mucous membranes, eyelid swelling and itching around the eyes. The state of health can worsen under the influence of strong stresses, errors in nutrition, etc.

Both allergic processes and the herpes virus can cause the simultaneous appearance of symptoms such as a rash around the eyes and itching of the eyelids. When herpes forms small bubbles with fluid inside. In addition, there is general malaise, chills and other characteristic signs.

Risk factors

There is a high risk of itching of eyelids in such categories of people:

• for those who ignore personal hygiene;
• for those who ignore safety rules when working with abrasives, sand, chemicals;
• for those who have had the negligence of contacting patients with infectious conjunctivitis;
• in immunocompromised patients;
• in persons who are carriers of chlamydial infection;
• people suffering from any eye disease, as well as those who wear contact lenses;
• for those who are forced to look at the monitor screen for a long time;
• in people prone to allergic reactions.

[4], [5], [6]

Pathogenesis

According to the etiological factor, itchy eyelid is divided into the following types:

• bacterial pruritus;
• viral pruritus;
• allergic itching;
• fungal itching.

In addition, itchy sensations can occur under the influence of physical and chemical factors - for example, radiation, bright light, other irritating substances and conditions.

Bacterial-pruritic itching is most often caused by staphylococcal, streptococcal flora, as well as gonococcus, chlamydia. Virus-related itching is triggered by adenovirus, herpevirus, influenza virus.

Allergic pruritus occurs most frequently. In the overwhelming number of patients, itchy eyelids become one of the manifestations of such pathology as pollinosis. Pollinosis is a specific reaction of the body to allergens that fall not only into the eyes, but also into the respiratory system. Most often this allergen is pollen and fluff. With pollinosis, such signs as a runny nose and allergic itching of the eyelids in conjunction with conjunctivitis develop rapidly.

If a person has a bacterial, viral, or fungal nature of itching, then it is considered infectious: if you do not follow certain rules, the infection can spread to other healthy people.

[7], [8], [9]

Symptoms

Itching of the eyelids can be detected on its own, or it can supplement itself with such symptoms:

• the appearance of skin scales, peeling of the skin on the eyelids, above the eyes, on the forehead or face;
• the appearance of additional patches on the skin or on the cornea;
• increased blinking;
• discharge of tears, sometimes - the appearance of purulent, or other discharge;
• blurred vision (double vision, blurred, ripples, circles before the eyes, etc.).

Not always itchy eyelids - a symptom of the disease. For example, the first signs of a banal lack of sleep are redness of the eyelids, swelling under the eyes, a feeling of itching and discomfort. A loss of eyelashes on the background of the same unpleasant itchy sensations can become signs of improperly selected cosmetics.

When conjunctivitis, itching is also accompanied by other painful symptoms: in particular, it can be pain, photophobia, feeling of “sand” or a foreign particle. In the mornings, the appearance of discharge is especially noticeable: the eyelids stick together, mucus or pus accumulates in the corners of the eyes.

Viral inflammation and itching of the eyelids may be accompanied by moderate tearing, photophobia, runny nose, enlarged submandibular or parotid lymph nodes, blepharospasm.

Itching allergic nature is usually very pronounced, may be accompanied by pain, swelling, and in many patients with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, cough.

When the fungal nature of itching may develop catarrhal or purulent inflammation. Candidiasis occurs with the formation of nodular lesions, representing the accumulation of epithelial cells and lymphoid tissue. With aspergillosis, conjunctival redness is observed with involvement of the cornea in the process.

With the toxic origin of the itch, after a while strong pains begin to disturb, especially during movements of the eyeballs, blinking, during the opening or closing of the eyelids.

Diagnostics of the itchy eyelids

Diagnosis for itching of the eyelid should be done by a doctor of ophthalmology, in a special clinic or an equipped office. Basic diagnostic measures are based on the collection of patient complaints, on the clinical manifestations of the disease. Anamnestic information is also important to determine the origin of the problem: the probability of contact with sick people, contact with potential allergens, the presence of other diseases, the presence of a connection with seasonality, the effect of ultraviolet radiation, etc.

During an external examination, the doctor may reveal redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, redness of the mucous membrane of the eyeball, discharge and crust on the eyelids.

A routine checkup of a doctor may include such procedures:

• Laboratory tests:

1. cytological analysis of scraping or imprinting smear;
2. bacteriological analysis of conjunctival smear;
3. analysis of antibody titer (IgA and IgG) to a possible infectious agent (tear fluid or serum is being examined);
4. demodex analysis.

With the allergic nature of itching, it is possible to conduct an additional skin-allergic, conjunctival, or nasal test.

• Instrumental diagnostics:

1. eye biomicroscopy - a study of the conjunctiva, cornea and deeper structures of the eye with a slit lamp;
2. tonometry - measuring intraocular pressure;
3. flushing of the lacrimal canals - diagnostic manipulation, which is carried out if a violation of the patency of the lacrimal ducts is assumed
4. - Ultrasound of the eyeball - this procedure is carried out to determine retinal detachment, tumors, foreign particles;
5. electrophysiological study - assessment of the state of the retina, optic nerves, as well as the overall functionality of the visual apparatus.

• Additional advice:

1. infectious diseases specialist;
2. dermatologist;
3. phthisate;
4. the surgeon.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis is usually carried out with such painful conditions:

• conjunctivitis;
• episcleritis and scleritis;
• keratitis;
• uveit (irit, iridocyclitis, chorioidite);
• acute glaucoma attack;
• foreign particle in the organ of vision;
• canalicular obstruction on the background of dacryocystitis.

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Treatment of the itchy eyelids

Features of treatment for itching eyelid determines the doctor ophthalmic direction. Its task is to identify the root cause of the problem, in the case of the infectious nature of the disease, to identify the pathogen, as well as to assess the severity of the process and the likelihood of complications. 

Complications and consequences

If itching of the eyelids is associated with any infectious pathology, then with prolonged neglect of the problem, various unpleasant complications can occur - in particular, the transition of the disease to the chronic form.

In addition, it is impossible not to voice other, albeit rare, but very dangerous consequences of untreated eye and eyelid diseases:

• blepharitis;
• astigmatism;
• dry eye syndrome;
• cataracts;
• glaucoma;
• keratitis;
• canaliculitis.

Accurately predict what exactly the lack of treatment of infectious itch of the eyelids will lead even an experienced doctor cannot. For example, keratitis, an inflammatory reaction in the cornea of the eye, often becomes the most dangerous complication of viral itching. The disease is manifested by its clouding, the appearance of ulcers on it, as well as pain and redness. In order to avoid such difficulties, it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible when itching of the eyelids occurs - especially if the trouble touched the child. The superficial form of keratitis is capable of transforming into a deep form in a short time, and inflammation will spread to the internal corneal tissues. As a result - the formation of cicatricial changes, blurred vision and even its loss.

Any pathology can adversely affect human health. That is why doctors insist: do not hesitate to contact a doctor at the first painful symptoms. Early treatment will help prevent the development of many troubles.

[11], [12]

Prevention

In most cases, itching of the eyelids can be prevented by paying attention to the slightest malfunctions on the part of the whole body and the visual organ in particular.

• Do not touch your eyes with dirty hands, rub your eyelids.
• Use only personal towels and other hygiene products.
• It is important to be careful and attentive when choosing cosmetics. If possible, it is better to consult with a specialist.
• It is necessary to observe the mode of the day, ensure a full and healthy sleep, do not overwork, do not overload the organs of vision (especially if professional activity is associated with a long stay at the computer monitor).
• Contact lenses need to pick up, consulting with your doctor.
• Pillows and blankets (especially feathers and feathers) should be regularly cleaned and aired. Bed linen should be changed systematically.
• When working with chemicals, abrasives, etc., it is important to wear special safety glasses.
• If any foreign particles get into the eyes, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.
• If an allergic reaction occurs, it is advisable to determine its cause and eliminate it (for example, adjust nutrition, change cosmetics, etc.).

In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, you need to remember a few situations in which the help of a physician must necessarily follow as quickly as possible:

• if the itching of the eyelids is accompanied by even partial deterioration of vision (double vision, change in the quality of perception, nebula, etc.);
• with traumatic injury to the eye;
• if the itching of the eyelids is accompanied by pain, or goes into pain;
• if any light source causes sharpness in the eyes;
• if itching is accompanied by swelling and the formation of greenish or yellowish discharge.

Forecast

In the overwhelming number of cases, itching of the eyelids ends in recovery without developing adverse effects on the organ of vision. Of course, subject to timely treatment and the appointment of adequate comprehensive treatment.

With secondary itching, which appears on the background of other ophthalmologic diseases, vision may suffer to one degree or another.

Such a painful symptom, like itchy eyelids, is relatively rarely transformed into a serious problem that threatens the health and life of the patient. However, it is also impossible to ignore this symptom: the earlier the treatment is prescribed and carried out, the sooner the relief from the illness will come.