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What causes itching, dryness, and swelling around the eyes?

Sep 29, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Shuai
Introduction
Prolonged reading, studying, or using electronic devices can reduce blinking frequency and decrease eye secretions, leading to dryness, itching, and mild swelling of the skin around the eyes. Over time, this may contribute to vision deterioration. Parents should monitor their children's screen time, encourage regular breaks by looking into the distance or closing their eyes to rest, and consider using eye drops that relieve eye fatigue, such as sodium hyaluronate eye drops.

Generally, itching, dryness, and swelling around the eyes may be caused by eye strain, environmental irritants, contact dermatitis, dry eye syndrome, conjunctivitis, or other factors. If any abnormalities occur, it is recommended to promptly consult a doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Eye Strain

Prolonged reading, studying, or using electronic devices can reduce blinking frequency and decrease eye secretions, leading to dry, itchy skin around the eyes and mild swelling. Over time, this may contribute to vision deterioration. Parents should monitor children's screen time, encourage regular breaks involving distant gazing or closing the eyes to rest. Under medical guidance, artificial tears such as sodium hyaluronate eye drops, polyvinyl alcohol eye drops, or carboxymethylcellulose sodium eye drops may be used to relieve eye fatigue.

2. Environmental Irritation

Foreign substances such as dust, pollen, or animal hair entering the eye can irritate the ocular mucosa, causing itching, redness, tearing, and other symptoms. The eyes can be rinsed with clean water, and gently closing the eyes may help expel the foreign body through natural tear flow. Avoid rubbing the eyes to prevent worsening irritation. If the foreign object cannot be easily removed, prompt medical attention is advised.

3. Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is an inflammatory reaction that occurs when the skin comes into contact with certain substances, resulting in redness, papules, and eventually eczematous changes, often accompanied by intense itching and dry skin. Recommended treatments include avoiding known allergens or irritants, applying topical corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone cream or triamcinolone acetonide cream, and taking oral antihistamines like fexofenadine tablets to reduce inflammation and itching.

4. Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome occurs when the eyes fail to produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, resulting in a dry ocular surface that affects the surrounding skin, causing dryness, itching, and swelling. Symptoms may also include a sensation of foreign bodies in the eye and fluctuating vision. Under medical supervision, medications such as polyethylene glycol eye drops, hypersaccharide eye drops, or cyclosporine eye drops can be used to increase tear production. Maintaining indoor humidity and avoiding prolonged exposure to computer screens are also recommended.

5. Conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis caused by bacterial or viral infections not only leads to redness and pain in the eyes but may also affect the surrounding skin, causing dryness, itching, and swelling. Additional symptoms may include increased eye discharge and a foreign body sensation. Doctors typically recommend anti-allergy eye drops such as olopatadine eye drops or epinastine eye drops. In some cases, oral antihistamines like loratadine syrup may be prescribed.

It is recommended to maintain scientific, hygienic, and healthy eye-use habits—sitting with proper posture, taking regular breaks, and performing eye exercises after extended visual tasks to alleviate eye fatigue.

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