Itchy eyes at night: Home remedies, causes, and avoiding triggers Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe How do you get rid of itchy eyes Medically reviewed by Jenna Stoddard, OD — By Jon Johnson on June 7, 2022People generally move less and relax more when they lie in bed at night than they do when they are up and about during the day. Share on PinterestIsrael Sebastian/Getty ImagesThe extra stillness may make a person more aware of their body than they are during an active day. With this increased awareness, people may begin to notice that their eyes are itchy. Causes Many underlying problems and conditions can cause itchy eyes at night. These underlying causes include:Eyestrain: Caused from staring at a computer screen for too long or driving long distances.Allergies: Contact with a foreign substance that causes itchy, red eyes, such as makeup, pollen, and dander.Dry eye: A condition where the eye does not get enough lubrication throughout the day.Atopic dermatitis: A type of eczema that causes red, itchy skin as well as dry eyes.Conjunctivitis: A highly contagious infection often referred to as pink eye that causes red, itchy, and burning eyes.Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelid caused by the follicle becoming blocked.Meibomian gland dysfunction: When the meibomian glands are blocked and do not produce enough liquid to lubricate the eyes.Some medications: Common culprits that can cause dry eyes include antihistamines and blood pressure medication. Diagnosis People with persistent itchy eyes at night should see a doctor to diagnose the cause. A doctor will likely start by reviewing the person’s medical history and symptoms. The doctor will then probably do a physical exam, which includes checking the person’s eyes and eyelids. If there is any discharge on the person’s eyelids, the doctor may take a sample of the discharge with a swab and send it to a lab for testing. If a doctor suspects that an allergy is causing the itchy eyes, they may do a patch test. They might also recommend a follow-up visit with an eye doctor. Home remediesShare on PinterestUsing a humidifier may help to prevent the eyes and skin from becoming dry and itchy. Some home remedies can help treat and prevent itchy eyes at night including:applying warm and cool compresseskeeping the eye area cleanusing a humidifieravoiding allergensusing eye dropsfollowing the 20-20-20 rule The 20-20-20 rule Spending too long on a computer or doing other activities that may cause eyestrain can make a person’s eyes itchy at night. People with itchy eyes can try to follow the 20-20-20 rule to lessen eyestrain. For every 20 minutes of computer work, people should look away from the screen and look at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds, which will allow the eyes to relax. Warm and cool compresses People can try applying a compress for immediate relief of itchy eyes. Warm compresses over the eyes may help relieve itching due to allergies. If itchy eyes feel warm and swollen, a cold compress on the eyes might help ease the itch. Keeping the eye area clean Dirt, chemicals, and makeup can all cause itchy eyes. Keeping the eyes clean at night can help relieve the itch. Firstly, a person may need to flush the irritant from the eye with cool water to clean the eye area. Sometimes, gently rinsing the eyes with warm water on a washcloth may be enough. People who wear makeup should consider removing all their makeup before cleaning the eye. Using a humidifier Dry air can make eyes itch because it can cause the eyes to dry out. People with itchy eyes may want to use a humidifier in their bedroom, particularly during the winter or in dry climates. Discontinue contact lens use Wearing contact lenses can cause eyes to be itchy even at night. Some people may wear their contact lenses overnight, which may lead to further itching. Contact lens users who get itchy eyes at night might think about taking their contact lenses out to give their eyes a break until the itching stops. Also, changing the type of contact lens a person wears may help. A disposable contact lens may help prevent future eye irritation that can lead to itchy eyes at night. Avoid allergens People with allergies should take steps to try to avoid any allergens that cause their eyes to itch at night. Sleeping with the windows closed, for example, can help reduce exposure to pollen and other outdoor allergens that may make eyes itch. Keeping pets out of the bedroom can help reduce the amount of dander people come into contact with at night. Dusting regularly and changing the sheets can also help limit dust mites. Medical treatments Sometimes, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments do not ease itching. Some people may require medical treatments including the following:oral and topical antibiotics for bacterial infections, such as bacterial conjunctivitisartificial tears to lubricate eyesantihistamines to help control allergic reactions that lead to itchy eyessteroid eye drops for blepharitis and allergiesmedications that affect the immune system for blepharitismast cell stabilizers for allergiesallergy shots for people with more severe allergies Avoiding triggers Preventing itchy eyes at night often starts with figuring out what might be triggering them. Some people may find keeping a journal of potential triggers helpful in figuring out what to avoid. Avoiding triggers can help prevent or at least reduce the number of instances where the eyes become itchy. People can take some steps during the day to help prevent eyestrain that can cause itchy eyes. Some steps include:taking breaks when driving long distanceswearing polarized sunglasses when outside or while drivingreading in well-lit areastaking breaks when working at a computer or staring at other screens for long periods of timeusing artificial tears throughout the daywearing contacts or glassespositioning computer screens slightly lower than eye level and about a foot from the face People may try the following if allergies are the cause:reducing mold in the home through cleaning and using a dehumidifierkeeping windows closed at night and during the dayremoving eye makeup thoroughly before going to bedcleaning up pet hair regularlyusing bedding that blocks dust mitesavoiding touching the eyes before washing hands, especially after being in contact with a trigger, such as pet hair A person can avoid some diseases, such as pink eye, by avoiding physical contact with a person who has the condition. Also, it is a good idea not to share products that come in contact with the eyes of other people. What is the outlook Most cases of itchy eyes at night are not serious and are easy to treat. People who experience eyestrain and allergic reactions can often prevent them occurring by avoiding activities or substances that trigger itchy eyes. When blepharitis causes itchy eyes, treatment focuses on managing the symptoms. Often, blepharitis does not go away completely, but proper treatment and good hygiene can keep symptoms to a minimum. Article resourcesAsbell, P., Vingrys, A. J., Tan, J., Ogundele, A., Downie, L. E., Jerkins, G., & Shettle, L. (2018, May). Clinical outcomes of fixed versus as-needed use of artificial tears in dry eye disease: A 6-week, observer-masked phase 4 clinical trial. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 59(6), 2275–2280. Retrieved from http://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2680678Blepharitis. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/blepharitis?sso=yConjunctivitis. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/conjunctivitis?sso=yDry eye. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/dry-eye?sso=yDuncan, K., & Jeng, B. H. (2015, July). Medical management of blepharitis. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology, 26(4), 289–294. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26058027Eye allergy. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://acaai.org/allergies/types/eye-allergiesKoo, L., Peng, D., & Change, E. (2006, November 15). Solving the mystery of the itchy eyelid. Retrieved from https://www.reviewofophthalmology.com/article/solving-the-mystery-of-the-itchy-eyelidTurbert, D. (2017, September 1). What are eye allergies? Retrieved from https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/allergies Last medically reviewed on June 14, 2022Eye Health / BlindnessFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Jenna Stoddard, OD — By Jon Johnson on June 7, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat are the best eye drops for people with itchy eyes?Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O.D. In this article, learn which eye drops can help relieve the itchiness, when to use them, and when to contact a doctor.READ MOREDoes the 20-20-20 rule prevent eye strain? The 20-20-20 rule says that after 20 minutes on the computer, a person should spend 20 seconds looking at an object 20 feet away. This can reduce eye…READ MOREWhy do my eyes keep watering, and how to treat excessive eye-watering? A watering eye is when a person produces an excess of tears without any apparent reason. Learn about causes and treatment options, including home…READ MOREWhat causes eye boogers?Medically reviewed by Ann Marie Griff, O.D. Eye boogers are mucus, a type of discharge that helps to keep the eyes clean and free of debris. Learn more about eye boogers in this article.READ MOREVitreous detachment: What to know Vitreous detachment occurs as part of the aging process. It can cause temporary floaters but does not require treatment unless complications occur…READ MORE