Dry And Irritated Eyes: Effective Treatments From Your Kitchen

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By Melissa Holden

eyeSome common health ailments are uncomfortable enough to cry about. Those with dry and irritated eyes deal with temporary, and in some cases, long-term pain and discomfort. Causes vary and include old age, hormonal changes, and mucus production in the tear glands. Luckily, effective treatments exist, and even better, they can be found in the kitchen.

Causes of Dry and Irritated Eyes

Eyes get dry due to short or long-term issues. Eyes become dry because tears evaporate quickly or due to a lack of moisture produced by glands. Causes include old age, hormones, decreased oil or water, damage to tear glands, autoimmune diseases, lupus, and other ailments.

Behavior contributes to dry and irritated eyes. A decrease in blinking can irritate the eyes and may take place when watching too much television or working on the computer. When paying great attention to the screen, people ‘forget’ to blink, which results in dry and irritated eyes. Additionally, wearing contact lenses adds to dryness, irritation, and eye strain. Bacterial keratitis is linked to contact lenses; as the lens rests on the eye, free circulation and tears are obstructed, which leads to tear evaporation and dry eye syndrome.

Particular health conditions and a lack of vitamin A contribute to eye problems, specifically dry and irritated eyes. In addition to prescribed medications, solutions are found in the home.

Home Remedies for Dry and Irritated Eyes

Since dehydration can be the cause of dry eyes, water is a simple solution. Consuming 8 to ten glasses per day helps dry eye patients and aids in recovering from dry eye syndrome.

Eyes get dry when people are sleeping. A lubricant can be applied before going to bed so eyes stay moist through the night. A washcloth dipped in water is a simple solution. Also, abstaining from washing and overly drying eyes helps avoid irritation.

Take breaks from working so eyes get enough rest. As mentioned, a lack of blinking leads to dry and irritated eyes. Make an effort to blink often to help eyes stay moist. Blinking also helps spread tears to the side of the eyes.

Those with dry eyes often rub, which causes inflammation as dust and microbes gain entry into the eyes. Avoid rubbing or touching around the eye area with unwashed fingers.

Cucumbers, freshly cut and chilled, can be placed on the eyes, which numbs the dry sensation and provides relief.

Flaxseed oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, helps treat dry eyes. Put flaxseed oil in fruits and drinks.

Castor oil helps retain water. It’s a great remedy for dry eyes. You can place drops of castor oil directly into eyes.

Mix a few drops of lavender oil with a cup of water. Dip a washcloth in the mixture and apply to affected eyes. The solution soothes eyes and makes for a readily accessible home remedy.

Dip a cotton ball in rose water or cold milk and apply to closed eyes. Leave the milk or rose water on for about 10 minutes, which allows the eyes to relax as it reduces strain.

One’s surroundings influences eye moisture. Use a humidifier or air cleaner to avoid dry eyes and to keep them moist. Those in particularly dry regions, such as Colorado, should use methods of countering the dryness in the air.

Aloe treats dry eyes. The gel or viscous liquid inside the leaf may be applied to the eyelid. Believed to reduce the symptoms of dry eyes, aloe is effective when placed on the lids but avoid direct contact with eyes, as it may increase irritation.

We are what we eat. Proper nutrition keeps eyes moist and healthy. Essential fatty acids are present in fish oil, and omega-3 and 6 acids are found in dried fruits and grains. Eat walnuts, sesame, grape seeds, almonds, and whole grains.

Grapes support eye health and are known to prevent retinal diseases.

Lastly, soaking a towel in warm water and placing it on the face for fifteen to twenty minutes maintains eye moisture.

What to Avoid

Common things add to irritation. It’s important to take note of what to avoid such as dry environments and air condition.

If you’re prone to dry eyes, avoid dry areas and situations, such as being around smoke or using a hair dryer.

Staying in air conditioned environments for a lengthy period makes eyes drier than normal.

Limit computer use. If you use a computer at work, take breaks often and rest your eyes.

Excessive coffee consumption intensifies dry eyes and has been linked to dry eye syndrome.

Acidic foods, such as tomato products, vinegar, and tamarind, aggravate affected eyes.

For some dry eyes and subsequent irritation is common, yet effective treatments are found in most households or at a local grocery store.

– Melissa Holden has been involved in natural healthcare most of her life. Aiming to spread the word further that nature can cure, she writes for health and wellness sites, green/eco sites and more. Read TheAlternativeDaily.com for additional home remedies that relieve dry and irritated eyes.