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Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
- Treated online: Yes, usually. Itchy eyes are recognised from the pattern and a photo, and a doctor can treat allergy, dry eyes and blepharitis by video; pain or blurred vision needs in-person care.
- Most common cause: an allergy, to pollen in spring and summer or to dust mites, pets and mould all year round. Allergic itching affects both eyes and is not contagious.
- Other causes: dry eyes, blepharitis, contact lenses, and a reaction on the eyelids to make-up, eye creams, eye drops, nail varnish or hair dye.
- What helps: antihistamine eye drops or tablets, lubricating drops, cool compresses, avoiding the trigger and not rubbing; most allergic itching eases within 1 to 2 days of starting drops.
- Emergency: call 112 for swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing or feeling faint, or itchy eyes with a change in your sight or light that hurts.
Do not book a video appointment if you have swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing or feel faint: this can be anaphylaxis. Call 112, and use an adrenaline auto-injector if you have one. Call 112 or go to an emergency department too for a red eye with any change in your sight, light that hurts your eye, or a chemical in the eye.
Can an online doctor treat itchy eyes?
Yes, usually. Most itchy eyes come from an allergy, dry eyes, blepharitis or a reaction on the eyelid skin, and a doctor can tell these apart by video from the pattern of itch, redness and discharge, and from photos of your eyes and lids, then treat them. Itching with real pain, blurred vision or light sensitivity needs an eye examination in person, and the doctor tells you where to go.
How an online consultation helps with itchy eyes
- The cause, named: Allergy, dry eye, blepharitis and a reaction to a product look alike but need different treatment.
- The trigger found: Pollen, dust mites, pets, mould, a new cosmetic, an eye drop or your contact lens solution.
- Drops that suit you: Antihistamine drops for allergy, lubricating drops for dryness, and preservative-free versions when you need them often.
- Warning signs checked: Pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision and swelling of the face or throat are checked first.
What the doctor checks in an online itchy eyes consultation
The doctor asks about the warning signs first, then about the itch and what sets it off. The doctor asks about:
- Warning signs: swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, eye pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision.
- The pattern: one eye or both, the eyes or the eyelids, and whether it is seasonal or all year round.
- What comes with it: sneezing and a runny nose, watering, sticky discharge, crusty lid edges, or gritty dryness.
- Triggers: pollen, pets, dust, mould, smoke, a new eye cream, make-up, nail varnish, hair dye or eye drops.
- Contact lenses: the type, how long you wear them, and the solution you use.
- Your health: eczema, asthma, hay fever, pregnancy, and the medicines you take.
Before the call, take photos of both eyes and both sets of eyelids in daylight, with any make-up removed, and note when the itch is worst.
Why are my eyes so itchy? Causes by pattern
Usually an allergy. When both eyes itch and water together, especially with sneezing or a runny nose, allergy is the most likely cause. Other patterns point elsewhere:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Cause | What points to it | Online care |
|---|---|---|
| Allergic conjunctivitis, often with hay fever | Intense itching in both eyes, watery or stringy discharge, redness, often with sneezing | Treated online |
| Dry eyes | Itchy, gritty, sore or burning eyes, worse with screens, wind or air conditioning | Treated online |
| Blepharitis | Itchy, sore eyelids with flakes or crusts at the base of the lashes | Treated online |
| Eyelid dermatitis (contact dermatitis) | Itchy, red, scaly or swollen eyelid skin after a new product or with eczema | Treated online |
| Infective conjunctivitis | Burning or gritty eyes with sticky discharge; it often starts in one eye | Treated online |
| Contact lenses | Itching and discomfort with lens wear, or a reaction to the lens solution | Treated online |
| Keratitis or uveitis | Pain, light sensitivity and blurred vision rather than itch | Assessed online |
Ocular allergies are very common: in the United States they are estimated to affect about 25% of people.
Allergic conjunctivitis: the most common cause
Allergic conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction of the thin layer that covers the white of the eye. The body reacts to a harmless trigger such as pollen and releases histamine, which makes the eyes itch, water and redden. It affects both eyes, and it is not contagious.
- Seasonal: pollen from trees, grasses and other plants. Hay fever symptoms are usually worst between late March and September, when pollen levels peak.
- All year round: dust mites in bedding, pet dander, and mould in damp rooms.
- Irritants: smoke, chlorine and perfume can make allergic eyes worse.
Across Europe, daily forecasts track alder, birch, grass, olive, ragweed and mugwort pollen. The Climate Health Index shows daily pollen scores for European cities, which helps you plan on high-pollen days.
How long does allergic conjunctivitis last?
As long as you are exposed to the trigger. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis comes back each pollen season and settles when it ends; an allergy to dust mites or pets can cause symptoms all year round. Treatment controls the itch while the trigger is around.
How do you stop itchy eyes from hay fever?
- Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors.
- Shower and change your clothes after time outdoors.
- Keep windows and doors closed when the pollen count is high.
- Use antihistamine eye drops or tablets from a pharmacy.
- See a doctor if pharmacy medicines do not help: stronger treatment, and for some people immunotherapy, can be considered.
Itchy eyelids: eczema, contact dermatitis and blepharitis
When the itch is in the skin of the eyelids rather than the eye itself, the usual causes are eyelid dermatitis and blepharitis.
Eyelid dermatitis
Eyelid dermatitis, also called eyelid eczema, is an itchy, stinging rash with red, scaly and sometimes swollen lids. It can be an allergic reaction or irritation:
- Products on the face: eye creams, sunscreen, make-up, cleansers and fragrance.
- Products carried by the hands: nail varnish, false nails, hair dye and nickel.
- Around the eyes: preservatives in eye drops, contact lens solution, rubber goggles and spectacle frames.
- Irritants: soap, detergents, chlorine in pools, dust, cold wind and rubbing.
The main treatment is finding and avoiding the trigger, with a gentle cleanser, no eyelid make-up while the rash is active, and touching the lids only with clean hands. Patch testing in person can confirm an allergy when the cause is unclear.
Blepharitis
Blepharitis causes itchy, sore eyelids with flakes or crusts around the roots of the lashes, and lids that stick together in the morning. It is controlled with daily lid cleaning; see blepharitis.
How do you get rid of itchy eyes?
Stop rubbing, cool the eyes, and treat the cause. For itchy eyes without pain or blurred vision:
- Do not rub your eyes: rubbing makes the itch and redness worse.
- Place a cool, damp cloth over your closed eyes a couple of times a day.
- Use lubricating drops to soothe the eyes and wash out allergens, preservative-free if you need them more than about four times a day.
- For allergy, use antihistamine eye drops or tablets from a pharmacy.
- Avoid the trigger: keep windows closed on high-pollen days, wash bedding often, and clean away mould.
- Stop using any new eye cream, make-up or eye drops that could be the cause.
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Drops | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Antihistamine eye drops | Allergic itching | The first choice for allergy; a pharmacist can advise |
| Lubricating drops (artificial tears) | Dry eyes, and washing out allergens | Preservative-free versions if you use them more than about four times a day |
| Redness-relief drops | Short-term whitening of red eyes | No more than 3 days: longer use causes rebound redness |
| Steroid eye drops | Severe allergic eye disease | Started only by an eye specialist after an examination |
When should you worry about itchy eyes?
Itchy eyes alone are rarely serious. These signs are not typical of an allergy and need a doctor:
- Swelling of the throat or tongue, or difficulty breathing: anaphylaxis; call 112.
- Pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision: a problem inside the eye or the cornea; get an urgent eye examination.
- A red eye if you wear contact lenses: you could have an eye infection; get urgent advice.
- Thick or unusual discharge: possible infection.
- A hot, red, swollen eyelid: possible infection of the eyelid; get urgent advice.
- No improvement after pharmacy treatment: see a doctor.
Which itchy eyes treatment might the doctor recommend?
Treatment follows the cause. This is the framework the doctors use:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| What you have | Likely first step | Suitable for online care? | When in-person care is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itchy, watery eyes with sneezing in the pollen season | Antihistamine drops or tablets, and pollen avoidance | Yes | Not usually needed |
| Itchy eyes all year round | Antihistamines, and steps against dust mites, pets or mould | Yes | For allergy tests if the trigger is unclear |
| Itchy, gritty eyes after screens or in dry air | Lubricating drops and screen breaks | Yes | If it does not improve after a few weeks |
| Itchy, crusty lid edges | Daily lid hygiene for blepharitis | Yes | If it does not improve |
| An itchy, red, scaly rash on the eyelids | Stop the suspected product; treatment for the eyelid skin | Yes | For patch testing if the cause is unclear |
| Itch with pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision | An urgent eye examination | No | Urgently, in person |
| Swelling of the throat or tongue, or difficulty breathing | Emergency care | No | Call 112 now |
Itchy eyes and not sure why? A doctor can tell you in one consultation what is causing it and what will help.
See available times →Treatment options for itchy eyes
What you can do yourself
- Do not rub your eyes, and wash your hands before touching them.
- Use cool compresses and lubricating drops.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses outdoors in the pollen season.
- Shower, change clothes and wash your hair after time outdoors on high-pollen days.
- Leave out eye make-up and new products until the itch settles.
- Take a break from contact lenses while your eyes are itchy.
Prescription treatment
A prescription is never issued without a consultation. For allergy, the doctor may prescribe antihistamine eye drops or tablets when pharmacy products are not enough, and for dry eyes or blepharitis the treatments for those. For eyelid dermatitis, the doctor may suggest a mild steroid cream for the eyelid skin for a short time, kept out of the eye. Steroid eye drops are started only by eye specialists, and immunotherapy for pollen allergy is arranged by specialists. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
What does not help
Rubbing the eyes, which makes the itch worse. Redness-relief drops for more than 3 days. Carrying on with an eye cream, make-up or eye drop that could be causing the reaction. Using steroid eye drops left over from someone else or an earlier problem.
Special situations
Contact lens wearers
Lens solution and the lenses themselves can cause itching. Take a break from lenses while your eyes are itchy, and see a doctor urgently for a red, painful eye, which could be an infection.
Eczema and asthma
If you also have asthma or eczema, tell the doctor, so your eye treatment is planned alongside them. The asthma and eczema pages cover those conditions.
Pregnancy
Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, so drops and tablets are chosen with that in mind.
Itchy eyes while travelling in Europe
Pollen seasons and plants change with the destination, and chlorine in pools and dust can irritate the eyes. Pack your antihistamine and lubricating drops, wear sunglasses, and check pollen scores before outdoor days.
Children
Mobi Doctor consultations are for adults aged 18 and over. A child who is unwell needs a paediatrician or a local doctor in person, and emergency signs in a child mean 112.
When itchy eyes are treated online, and when you need in-person care
Treated online: allergic conjunctivitis and hay fever eyes, dry eyes, blepharitis, eyelid dermatitis, contact lens irritation, and working out the trigger.
In-person care: itching with pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision, patch testing and allergy tests, severe allergic eye disease needing steroid drops, and any sign of anaphylaxis.
When to get in-person care
Call 112 or go to an emergency department now for:
- swelling of the throat or tongue, or difficulty breathing: use an adrenaline auto-injector if you have one
- wheezing, feeling faint or fainting with an allergic reaction
- a red eye with any change in your sight
- a red eye that hurts to look at light
- a chemical in the eye: rinse it with clean water while you wait
Get medical advice the same day for:
- an eye that is painful and red
- a red eye if you wear contact lenses
- a swollen eyelid that is red, hot, painful or tender
- swollen eyelids if you think it is an allergic reaction
How Mobi Doctor works
- Book a time that suits you: daily 7am–11pm CEST. You can see a doctor over video, usually within 15 minutes. No subscription, and the exact price is shown before you pay.
- Speak to a licensed doctor about your eyes: say when the itch started, whether both eyes and the lids itch, what makes it worse, and which drops or tablets you have tried.
- Leave with a plan: what to do, what to take and for how long, and which signs mean you should be seen in person. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
No sign-up needed
Itchy eyes can have more than one cause. Tick every symptom you have to see each condition page that mentions it. It finds the right page, not a diagnosis: a doctor gives you that on a video call.
Tap the body — an area or a point — to browse symptoms anywhere
Similar symptoms, different condition? Conjunctivitis can start the same way. Compare them, or look up any other symptom in the full symptom checker.
Frequently asked questions about itchy eyes
Why are my eyes so itchy?
Usually an allergy, to pollen, dust mites, pets or mould, especially when both eyes itch and water and you are sneezing. Dry eyes, blepharitis, contact lenses and a reaction to make-up or eye drops on the eyelids are other common causes.
What are the symptoms of itchy eyes that point to the cause?
Itchy eyes with watering, redness and sneezing in both eyes point to allergy; grittiness and burning that is worse by evening, to dry eyes; itchy, crusted lid edges worst on waking, to blepharitis; itching with a scaly rash on the lids, to eczema or a reaction to make-up or drops; and itching in one eye after a new lens or trauma, to irritation. Sticky pus, pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision are not allergy and need an examination.
How can you get rid of itchy eyes at home?
Stop rubbing, put a cool, damp cloth over your closed eyes, and use lubricating drops. For allergy, use antihistamine eye drops or tablets and avoid the trigger. See a doctor if pharmacy treatment does not help.
When should I worry about itchy eyes?
Call 112 for swelling of the throat or tongue or difficulty breathing. Get urgent advice for pain, light sensitivity, blurred vision, a red eye if you wear contact lenses, or a hot, swollen eyelid.
What illness can cause itchy eyes?
Most often hay fever and other allergies. Dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, conjunctivitis and eyelid eczema also cause itchy eyes, and a painful red eye with blurred vision can be a more serious problem that needs urgent care.
Is it allergy, dry eye or an infection?
Allergic itchy eyes itch intensely, water and affect both eyes together with sneezing; dry eyes burn, feel gritty and tired and worsen with screens and wind, with little itch; infective conjunctivitis starts in one eye, spreads to the other within days and produces sticky yellow pus that glues the lashes; and blepharitis crusts the lid edges. A doctor tells them apart from a photo and the pattern, and only infection needs antibiotic drops.
Which deficiency causes eye itching?
A deficiency is rarely the reason. Itchy eyes usually come from an allergy, dry eyes, blepharitis or a reaction to a product, and a doctor can look for the cause if the itching keeps coming back.
Are itchy eyes a sign of hay fever?
Often, yes. Itchy, red, watery eyes are common hay fever symptoms, usually with sneezing and a runny or blocked nose, and are worst when pollen levels peak between late March and September.
How can I prevent itchy eyes?
Start antihistamine drops or tablets a week before your pollen season and keep them going through it, keep windows closed on high-count days and wear wraparound sunglasses, shower and change after being outside, wash bedding hot and use dust-mite covers, keep pets out of the bedroom, replace eye make-up every 3 months and remove it nightly, do not rub the eyes, which releases more histamine, use lubricating drops in dry rooms, and keep lenses clean. Most itchy eyes are preventable this way.
How long does allergic conjunctivitis last?
Itchy eyes from allergic conjunctivitis last as long as you are exposed to the trigger. Pollen allergy comes back each season and settles when it ends, while an allergy to dust mites or pets can last all year. Treatment controls the itch.
Is allergic conjunctivitis contagious?
No. Allergic conjunctivitis, the usual cause of itchy eyes, is an allergic reaction, not an infection, so it cannot spread to other people. Conjunctivitis with sticky pus is infective and is contagious.
What are the best eye drops for itchy eyes?
For allergy, antihistamine eye drops. For dry, gritty eyes, lubricating drops, preservative-free if you use them often. Avoid using redness-relief drops for more than 3 days, because they cause rebound redness.
Why are my eyelids itchy?
Usually eyelid dermatitis, a reaction to products such as eye creams, make-up, nail varnish, hair dye or eye drops, or blepharitis, which causes flakes and crusts at the base of the lashes.
Can I wear contact lenses with itchy eyes?
It is better to take a break until the itch settles, because lenses and lens solution can make it worse. A red, painful eye in a lens wearer needs urgent advice.
Can an online doctor treat itchy eyes?
Yes, usually. A doctor can work out the cause by video and treat allergy, dry eyes, blepharitis and eyelid dermatitis. Itching with pain, light sensitivity or blurred vision needs an eye examination in person.
- Hay fever, NHS, National Health Service (UK), next review due 21 March 2027.
- Conjunctivitis, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 23 April 2024.
- Diagnosis and management of red eye in primary care, Cronau H, Kankanala RR, Mauger T. American Family Physician, 2010.
- Home remedies for bloodshot eyes, and when to see a doctor, American Academy of Ophthalmology, 7 April 2023.
- Eyelid contact dermatitis, DermNet, New Zealand Trust, updated 6 July 2024.
- Dry eyes, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 6 January 2025.
- Blepharitis, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 12 June 2025.
- Anaphylaxis, NHS, National Health Service (UK), next review due 21 June 2026.
- CAMS ground-level pollen forecast, Climate-ADAPT, European Climate Adaptation Platform (EU), accessed 15 October 2026.
- Eyelid problems, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 17 November 2023.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Guideline links are provided for transparency; treatment decisions are made with your doctor.
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