ITCHY EYES
Itchy eyes are perhaps the most exasperating and frustrating symptom of ocular allergies. The itching can become so intense as to affect and impede regular daily activities. Itchy eyes, like mosquito bites, are often irresistible to scratch, however, doing so only increases the intensity of the itch.
The reason behind this is that itchy eyes are caused when allergens (grasses, tree pollens, ragweed, molds, dust mites, animal dander) contact the eye and set an allergic reaction into play. During this reaction, the chemical histamine is released in the eye. Histamine has the ability to bind onto the nerves in the eyes, resulting in the sensation of itching.
Why Does Scratching Your Itchy Eyes Only Make Them Worse?
It would seem logical that once the allergen causes histamine to be released, the itching should not get worse. However that is not the case: rubbing and scratching your eyes can have the same effect, causing more histamine to be released from cells called mast cells. The allergies make your eyes start to itch, but by rubbing them, you can be prolonging this bothersome effect by manually bursting these mast cells.Taking non-specific measures such as trying to remove yourself from the presence of the allergens or using cold compresses on the eyes are somewhat helpful, but not always feasible. Anti-allergy eye drops that specifically block histamine from binding to the nerves in the eye are the most effective way to treat itchy eyes.
