Treatment, how to relieve itchy eyelids?

The general treatment regimen usually includes systematic rinsing of the conjunctival cavity with special medicinal fluids, instillation of medications, use of ointments, and, less commonly, subconjunctival injections.

If there is discharge from the eyes, then in no case is it allowed to apply bandages, as they can interfere with the release of secreted masses, which can lead to the development of keratitis.

To avoid the spread of infection, a patient who has come to us with itchy eyelids is advised to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly, use disposable paper towels, etc.

If necessary, regular eye hygiene should be performed using antiseptic solutions - for example, furacilin, a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

For bacterially caused itching of the eyelids, Gentamicin (the drug comes in two forms - eye drops and eye ointment) or erythromycin eye ointment may be prescribed.

For virally caused itching of the eyelids, medications with a virustatic or virucidal effect are prescribed. These include:

• Acyclovir ointment or tablets;
• leukocyte interferon;
• Trifluridine;
• Idoxuridine.

Antibacterial medications are sometimes prescribed in addition to antiviral therapy if there is a suspicion of a microbial infection.

If itching of the eyelids is caused by the presence of chlamydial infection, then systemic drugs Erythromycin, Doxycycline, Tetracycline are prescribed along with local therapy.

In case of allergic itching, the use of antiallergic and vasoconstrictive external agents, corticosteroid drops, and "artificial tears" is indicated. The internal use of desensitizing medications is also possible.

Fungal itching of the eyelids is treated with antifungal ointments or instillations (drugs based on nystatin, levorin, amphotericin B, etc.).

What to do if your eyelids itch?

An ophthalmologist is involved in treating itchy eyelids: you should contact him first. After examination and testing, he will decide whether a consultation with other specialists is necessary in this situation - for example, a dermatologist, infectious disease specialist, etc.

There is no standard treatment for itchy eyelids, as many painful and non-pathological conditions can cause it, so therapy is usually prescribed individually.

Sometimes it is impossible to immediately determine the nature of the itch. Then some medical specialists advise starting with the following measures:

• drip a 0.3% solution of chloramphenicol into the bothersome eye (once every three hours);
• If the itching is accompanied by other signs of conjunctivitis, then the solution should also be dripped into the healthy eye to prevent the spread of the infectious process.

Subsequent measures will be taken only after diagnostic procedures: the doctor will indicate which medications will help in this particular case. For example, you may need drugs with antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antiallergic, antiparasitic effects. In addition, in addition to basic therapy, you may need a course of drugs to strengthen the immune system and prevent the problem from recurring.

Medicines that a doctor may prescribe

For allergic itching of the eyelids, treatment is prescribed according to the following scheme:

• Taking oral antiallergic medications, instilling antihistamine drops into the affected eye.
• In difficult cases, use drops from the corticosteroid category.
• Symptomatic treatment, elimination of the provoking allergen.

The most common medications for eliminating allergic itching are:

Lecrolin	An anti-edematous and anti-allergic agent that is successfully used for allergic conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis. Lecrolin is instilled 1-2 drops in each eye in the morning and evening. This dosage is suitable for both adults and children from the age of four.
Opatanol	Olopatadine-based drops that successfully treat seasonal allergic eyelid itching. Opatanol is instilled one drop in each eye, morning and evening. The interval between procedures should be at least 8 hours. The drug can cause dryness in the nose, a feeling of fatigue, and allergies.
Dexamethasone	Glucocorticoid drops with a pronounced anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-exudative effect. Indicated for complex conjunctivitis, scleritis, keratitis, iridocyclitis, choroiditis, etc. Dexamethasone is used in individual dosages, on average - 1 drop in the affected eyes, from 2 to 5 times a day. Drops are not used to treat eyelid itching in children under six years of age.
Hydrocortisone ointment	An ointment with anti-inflammatory action, based on a corticosteroid. It is applied externally or subconjunctivally, up to three times a day for two weeks. With prolonged use of the ointment (more than 2 weeks), steroid glaucoma may develop, so a minimally short course of therapy should be carried out.

For bacterially caused itching of the eyelids, antibacterial external agents are used. They are used in accordance with the following rules:

• Treatment with antibacterial drugs is carried out until the painful symptoms disappear completely, but not less than one week.
• Antibacterial therapy should be continued without interruption: during the break, bacteria develop resistance to the drug, and when treatment is resumed, its effectiveness is lost.
• If the selected antibacterial agent does not lead to a positive result, then an antibiotic resistance test should be performed. Based on this test, it will be possible to select the most effective drug.

Bacterial-induced eyelid itching is most often treated with the following medications:

Floxal	Eye drops based on ofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Floxal is instilled one drop four times a day, in each eye. The duration of therapy should not exceed two weeks. The drug is not used to treat children under one year of age.
Ciprofloxacin	Drops based on a quinolone antibiotic. Apply 1-2 drops four times a day for one or two weeks. During treatment, swelling of the eyelids, dryness, and irritation may occur.
Tetracycline ointment	An ophthalmologic antibacterial drug that is applied to the lower eyelid area three to five times a day. The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor. If an allergic reaction occurs, the use of the ointment is discontinued.

Viral-induced itching of the eyelids is considered the most dangerous eye disease. Interferon-based medications are mandatory in addition to general treatment. In rare cases, short-term treatment with corticosteroids is possible.

In the mornings and evenings, special ointments containing interferon or interferogen components are placed under the conjunctiva (they stimulate the body to produce its own interferon). Multivitamin complexes and artificial tear drops (for faster eye cleansing) are indicated as an adjuvant therapy. If herpesvirus is diagnosed, medications based on acyclovir are prescribed.

Oftalmoferon	A preparation of human interferon, recombinant alpha-2b, and diphenhydramine. It exhibits antiviral, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic and restorative activity. For viral itching of the eyelids, the product is instilled into the eyes 1-2 drops two to eight times a day. Treatment continues until the signs of the disease disappear completely.
Poludan	An immunostimulating drug with an interferonogenic effect. It is used for viral itching in an individually determined dosage. Before use, 0.2 mg of powder is dissolved in 2 ml of distilled water or water for injection. The product is well accepted by the body and has no side effects.

The doctor selects the medicine and determines the treatment plan as a whole. He will be able to take into account not only the existing symptoms (including itchy eyelids), but also the results of diagnostics. As for self-medication, there are many dangerous moments: a person does not know for sure what and how he should treat, therefore, often only aggravates the current situation.

Diphtheria itching cannot be cured without the use of a special anti-diphtheria serum. In addition, it is important to wash the eyes with antiseptic agents every hour. Oral administration of sulfanilamide and antibacterial drugs is also indicated for secondary bacterial infection.

Quite often, when the eyelids itch, the doctor prescribes rinsing and compresses. For rinsing, it is preferable to use special devices in the form of eye baths: they are sterilized in advance for 10 minutes. The prepared bath is filled with a herbal infusion or a pharmacy medicinal liquid filtered through gauze. Then bend over the bath so that the eye is in the liquid, after which blink repeatedly for a minute.

Compresses are prescribed to relieve irritation of the eye tissue. To perform the procedure correctly, a piece of bandage or gauze is moistened with a medicinal liquid and applied to the affected eye. The procedure lasts 10 minutes.

If you take a competent approach to the use of medications, you can get rid of itchy eyelids in a short time, preventing possible complications and preserving visual function.

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Ointments for itchy eyelids

Today, pharmacists can offer a wide range of different ophthalmological ointments, including those that help with itchy eyelids. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with only the most common such drugs.

• Ointments for bacterially caused itching of the eyelids:

1. Erythromycin ointment is a representative of the macrolide group of antibacterial agents. This ointment is allowed to be used even by infants.
2. Tobrex is an ointment whose action is based on tobramycin, an antibiotic with a broad spectrum of activity. Tobrex is successfully used in cases where itching of the eyelids is associated with infections or the formation of barley.
3. Kolbiocin is a combined ointment preparation, represented by the components tetracycline, chloramphenicol, sodium colistemimate. The ointment copes well with amoebic and chlamydial lesions, as well as with spirochetes, mycoplasma, rickettsia. Kolbiocin is not suitable for use by preschool children, and is also prohibited during pregnancy.
4. Eubetal is an antimicrobial and antiallergic ointment, represented by the components tetracycline, colistin and corticosteroid betamethasone. One of the contraindications to the use of Eubetal is a tendency to increased intracranial pressure.

• Ointments for itching caused by adenovirus or herpesvirus infection:

1. Bonafthon is an ointment based on bromonaphthoquinone.
2. Tebrofen ointment is a universal remedy based on tetrabromo-tetrahydroxydiphenyl.
3. Florenal is an ointment preparation containing fluorinonylglyoxal bisulfate.
4. Ointments based on acyclovir – Zovirax, Virolex or, actually, Acyclovir.

• Ointments for allergic-induced itching:

1. Tobradex is a universal anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiallergic ointment preparation based on the action of an antibiotic and a corticosteroid. Tobradex is prohibited for use in childhood and during pregnancy.
2. Maxidex is a corticosteroid ointment that should not be used to treat children.
3. Dexa-gentamicin is a combination product based on an antibiotic and a corticosteroid. The ointment copes well with allergic inflammation, but is not suitable for the treatment of fungal infections, eye tuberculosis, and is not used in pediatrics. A similar ointment-based product is Garazon.
4. Cortineff is a steroid ointment that is prescribed for complications that develop against the background of itching of the eyelids.

Treatment with hormonal ointment preparations is carried out extremely carefully, starting with the minimum possible dosage. In many cases, along with such ointments, oral administration of antiallergic medications is also prescribed.

Before using any ophthalmic ointment, you must first prepare your eyes: rinse with an antiseptic, put in the drops prescribed by your doctor. And only 30 minutes after these procedures should you apply the ointment.

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Eye drops against itching, inflammation of the eyelids

There are drops that are used only to treat a specific type of eyelid itching - for example, bacterial, viral or allergic. But there is also a small range of relatively universal drops that are usually used to begin eliminating unpleasant itching sensations in the eye:

• Sodium sulfacyl, or Albucid - drops can be used in adult and pediatric practice, dripping 2 drops up to five times a day.
• Oftadek is an antiseptic that is instilled into each eye 2-3 drops up to 5-6 times a day.
• Zinc sulfate is an antimicrobial drop that is used to treat itchy eyelids in adults (a couple of drops are applied every four hours).

For viral-induced itching, the drops Oftalmoferon and Poludan that we have already mentioned are used, as well as solutions of Florenal, Oftan-ida, 0.1% Tebrofen, 0.1% Gludantan.

For bacterial itching, the use of drops such as Floxal, Cipromed, 0.25% Gentamicin, Vitabact is indicated.

Drops for allergic itching are often used both to eliminate the problem and to prevent its occurrence:

• Gistimet - drops, representatives of histamine receptor blockers. They cope well with swelling, itching, hyperemia of the eyelids. Gistimet is dripped one drop into the eye, morning and evening. If the itching is severe, then the frequency of procedures is doubled.
• Hydrocortisone drops are a drug that represents synthetic steroid hormones. Thanks to the drops, you can get rid of unpleasant painful symptoms, as well as activate local immune protection.
• Allergodil is a combination of drops that belong to the category of histamine receptor blockers. The drug is instilled in a couple of drops three times a day.

In case of fungal itching, drops are rarely used: in most cases, oral administration of antifungal drugs is practiced. If such drops are prescribed, they are prepared in pharmacies by special order. To prepare such solutions, it is important to clearly identify the fungal pathogen so that further action on it is effective.

If the itching of the eyelids is caused by the so-called "dry eye syndrome", then most often the drugs "artificial tears" or the well-known drug Vizin "Pure tear" come to the rescue. Such drops moisturize the mucous membranes of the eye and retain this moisture, preventing tissue from drying out. The pharmaceutical market is represented by a large number of variations of "artificial tears": they are sold without a doctor's prescription, and they are used as needed, several times a day.

Traditional treatment for itchy eyelids

Very often, itching of the eyelids can be quickly eliminated with the help of folk remedies. The recipes are mostly effective, accessible and simple: the ingredients can be found in almost every home.

The main task for itchy eyelids is to cleanse the eye, prevent or relieve swelling, and normalize tissue sensitivity.

• Itchy eyelids have been successfully eliminated for many years with the help of leaf tea – any kind, both black and green. The only condition is that the tea should not contain flavorings, fruit acids and other foreign additives, as well as sugar and other sweeteners. It is best to use the freshest, just prepared rich tea leaves. A cotton pad or a piece of bandage folded several times is generously moistened in it and the bothering eye is gently wiped (3-4 times a day).
• Wash a bunch of fresh dill. Chop and squeeze out the juice. Drop one drop of warm juice into the affected eye twice a day.
• Take 1 teaspoon of fennel or dill seeds and pour 200 ml of boiling water over them. Leave to infuse until cool. Use as a liquid for poultices, which are done several times a day.
• For viral eyelid itching, prepare the following medicine. Grind rose hips. About two teaspoons of the resulting mass are poured with 200 ml of boiling water, infused under a lid for forty minutes, and carefully filtered. Use the infusion to wash the eyes, 3-4 times a day.
• Prepare honey drops: take half a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of warm boiled water. Mix and use for compresses or for instillation (one drop per affected eye).

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Herbal treatment

• The most popular remedy for itchy eyelids is chamomile infusion. Chamomile quickly stops the development of the inflammatory process, removes redness and swelling. To prepare the infusion, take 1 teaspoon of fine dry raw material and pour 200 ml of boiling water. After the liquid has cooled to a warm state, it is used for applying lotions - at least 3 times a day.
• Place 1-2 drops of Kalanchoe juice into the affected eye. Repeat the procedure three times a day.
• Place 2 drops of aloe juice into the eye once daily.
• Take three large or four smaller bay leaves, pour 200 ml of boiling water over them, and leave under a lid for half an hour. When warm, the infusion is used for compresses (applied to the eyes for 30 minutes) or for rinsing.
• Prepare a medicinal mixture. It consists of 1 tablespoon of dried dill, 2 tablespoons of chicory flowers, 1 tablespoon of horsetail, 1 tablespoon of ground marshmallow root and 2 tablespoons of rose petals. Mix all the ingredients, pour 3 tablespoons of the mixture into a container, pour 200 ml of boiling water. Infuse until cool, filter. Use for rinsing three times a day.

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Homeopathy for itchy eyelids

Redness and itching of the eyelids of allergic or infectious origin can be treated with homeopathy. What can an experienced homeopathic doctor recommend from the wide variety of drugs?

• Apis mellifica is prescribed for itching, burning of the eyelids, and swelling.
• Argentum nitricum is used if itching of the eyelids is combined with photosensitivity, redness; discharge in the corners of the eyes may be a concern.
• Belladonna - helps with the acute onset of the disease, when itching of the eyelids is quickly supplemented by redness and photosensitivity.
• Euphrasia - used for itching and sand in the eyes.
• Ferrum phosphoricum - will help if the patient complains of a sensation of a foreign body under the eyelid.
• Hepar sulfuris is prescribed if itching of the eyelids is accompanied by the appearance of purulent discharge.
• Pulsatilla - helps if the itching of the eyelids practically disappears in the fresh air, but begins to bother again indoors or in warmth.
• Rhus toxicodendron - used if the eyelids stick together in the morning due to discharge, and the itching intensifies during movement of the eyeballs.

The dosage of homeopathic medicines requires an individual approach. In the first days of the disease, the patient is offered to take a suitable remedy every three hours: the treatment is stopped when improvements in the condition become noticeable. If after the drug is discontinued, the symptoms return again, the treatment is resumed.