Burning eyes: symptoms, causes and what helps

No more red and burning eyes, itching on the edges of your eyes, etc. – these tips will help you calm your eyes.

Everyone prefers to wish for a carefree life without any symptoms. Instead, we are annoyed by itchy, red and burning eyes that hurt extremely uncomfortably. A wide variety of causes can be behind eye pain. What you can do against burning eyes – Brigitte clears up!

Concomitant symptoms

As if burning eyes weren't already uncomfortable enough, they often occur in connection with other complaints. Above all, these include:

  • red eyes
  • increasing lacrimation
  • increased blinking of the eyes
  • Itching around the edges of the eyelids
  • a foreign body sensation in the eye
  • increased mucus formation
  • general pain when opening the eyes

Burning eyes: possible causes

The list of possible causes of burning eyes is infinite. The reasons range from eye strain, an allergy to a possible disease. Sometimes, however, the causes are already obvious if, for example, chlorine water or sunscreen or shampoo got into your eye while showering. However, the cause of burning eyes is not always clear. We have therefore listed some of the possible triggers for you here.

The general rule: When eyes itch and burn, it is often a reaction to environmental influences. If there is a yellowish discharge in addition to the burning sensation, infection with bacteria or viruses is very likely.

Eye strain

Our eyes are overused faster than we would like. Hours of work on the computer, long reading in books, on the tablet or on the cell phone damage our eyes. The reason for this is the concentrated reading and working, and the few blinking, which puts a lot of strain on our eyes and is often not sufficiently moisturized.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes can also cause burning eyes. In this case, the natural tear fluid is not sufficient to moisten the conjunctiva and cornea of ​​the eye sufficiently. The insufficient production of tear fluid or an inadequate composition of the tear fluid are just two possible reasons why the eyes start to burn, are red, dry and tired. Drafts, dry air and tobacco smoke intensify the symptoms.

Allergies

Many of us suffer from allergies and often get burning eyes as a result. Not only is that annoying, it can also be painful. If the symptoms appear especially in spring or summer, you should definitely see a doctor and do an allergy test. Whether pollen, grass, house dust, animal hair or food, the list of possible causes for your burning eyes is large and should therefore be examined in more detail.

contact lenses

Environmental conditions are particularly troublesome for contact lens wearers. By wearing contact lenses, the eyes are particularly stressed every day, which can lead to burning eyes.

Conjunctivitis or corneal inflammation

Rarely conjunctivitis and corneal inflammation are rare, but cannot be ruled out immediately. With your eyes burning, conjunctivitis can be announced in this way, which is why it can first be considered as the cause. If this is caused by bacteria, your doctor will give you antibiotic treatment. Inflammation of the cornea can also cause burning eyes.

Taking medication

Unfortunately, medications often have side effects. Reduced tear fluid production is a possible trigger for dry eyes in particular, but also for burning eyes. Antihypertensive drugs, pain relievers, and active ingredients related to vitamin A are just a few examples that can cause eye pain. If the doctor determines that the ingestion is causing the eye discomfort, he will prescribe you an alternative medicinal product.

Diseases

Diseases such as rheumatism, diabetes or a thyroid disorder can lead to an eye wetting disorder with burning eyes as a result. In some cases, it can also be an ocular rosacea, the symptoms of the skin are reddened, sensitive and burning eyes and crusted eyelids. Chronic dry eyes, an inflammation of the eyelid caused by clogged sebaceous glands or, in particularly severe cases, inflammation of the choroid are further possibilities to be considered as a trigger.

What helps with burning eyes?

Burning eyes are super uncomfortable, so it is important that you do something about it quickly.

  • Cosmetic products such as shampoos, sunscreen or the like have you got in the eyes In this case, it usually helps you to rinse your burning eyes with clear water. If that doesn't help, have someone look over the packaging instructions again, if necessary tips are noted there.

  • are dry eyes For example, the cause of the burning eyes, eye drops are advisable, because they calm the irritated eyes and regenerate the natural tear film. This way the eye is moisturized again and is better protected against external influences such as wind. We recommend this to you eye drop, because they are well tolerated, particularly gentle on your eyes, contain important moisturizing substances such as hyaluronic acid and dexpanthenol and do without color, fragrance and preservatives.
  • This is also an alternative to eye drops Eye spray. It is not preserved and well tolerated, has a low odor and is particularly recommended for burning eyes, pollen allergy, hay fever and for contact lens wearers. Simply spray on the closed eye.

  • Allergy sufferers usually have prescription eye drops that relieve the symptoms and do not let the eyes dry out.

  • Do you sit in front of the screen a lot for work and therefore have tired and burning eyes? Grab one Cooling mask, because it quickly relieves the symptoms and relaxes the eyes. Simply place them on your closed eyelids for a few minutes and repeat the process as needed.
  • Are your burning eyes not relieved even after several days, sensitive to super light and the pain more and more uncomfortable? Immediately go to the nearest ophthalmologist and have your eyes examined thoroughly.

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