You have probably felt it before: that stinging or burning feeling in your eyes after a good cry. If you already know that tears help keep your eyes comfortable, shouldn’t all those tears leave you with well-hydrated eyes?
The burn often happens because your emotional tears have a different chemical makeup than the tears that just keep your eyes moist. This unique composition, along with other factors like chronic dry eyes or irritants, can cause that familiar stinging sensation. While an optometrist may not be able to stop you from crying, we can help ensure the tears you do cry are healthy.
What Are Tears Made Of?
Your tears are more than just water. They’re a complex mix designed to keep your eyes healthy, lubricated, and protected. The tear film has 3 main layers that work together.
- Oily Layer: This outer layer, produced by the Meibomian glands, prevents tears from drying up too quickly & keeps the surface of your eye smooth.
- Watery Layer: The middle layer is the thickest, and it hydrates your eyes & washes away dust or other small particles.
- Mucus Layer: This inner layer helps the tear film stick to your eye’s surface, spreading moisture evenly.
Bonus fun fact! A camel’s eyes have 3 eyelids! The third one is a thin membrane that can close to protect their eyes from sandstorms while still letting in light.
Common Reasons for the Post-Cry Burn
The reason your eyes burn can come down to the type of tears you produce. Your body makes different kinds of tears for different reasons. That’s why emotional tears are different from the reflex tears your eyes make to wash out an irritant like dust or the spray from cutting onions.
Your eyes produce reflex tears in smaller amounts to help clear out debris. However, while the irritant remains, you may feel a stinging sensation, which can tempt you to rub your eyes.
On the other hand, emotional tears often come in larger quantities and can include additional hormones and proteins. Because they aren’t solely designed to wash away irritants, they may actually move them into your eyes.
That’s right. The very tears meant to protect you might also be the source of the burn!
However, that’s far from the only reason your eyes may sting when you cry. Most are temporary, but sometimes the burning points to an underlying condition.
Irritants in the Air and on Your Skin
Sometimes, the sting is not from your tears but from what they are washing away. Irritants like smoke, dust, or even soap can irritate the surface of your eyes until they’re washed away. Sweat rolling into your eyes can also cause a burn because of its salt content.
Your Eyes Are Too Dry
When your eyes do not produce enough tears or the right quality of tears, they can feel dry, scratchy, and irritated. This condition is known as dry eye disease. Crying can make an unbalanced tear film irritation more noticeable, which leads to a burning feeling.
Inflamed Eyelids or Allergies
Tears can interact with conditions like blepharitis, which causes your eyelids to become swollen and irritated, and makes your eyes feel like they’re burning. Allergies to pollen, pet dander, or dust can also trigger itchiness, redness, and a sting that gets worse when you cry.
How to Soothe Stinging Eyes at Home
If you experience occasional burning when you cry, a few simple remedies might offer some relief. These steps can help calm the irritation without much fuss.
A warm or cool compress can be very soothing. Reusable eye masks, such as i-Relief or Bruder masks, can be gently warmed and placed over closed eyes for a few minutes. Some masks can also be stored in the refrigerator for a refreshing cooling effect. If you have crusty eyelids from a condition like blepharitis, gently cleaning them can also help.
For dry eyes or irritation, artificial tears can add moisture and comfort. Not every kind of eye drop works for everyone, so talk to your optometrist for a brand that’s safe and effective. For example, if allergies are the issue, allergy-specific eye drops may reduce symptoms such as itching and burning.
A humidifier can also add moisture to the air, which helps keep your eyes from drying out.
When to Visit Your Optometrist
While occasional stinging is usually not a big concern, persistent burning could be a sign of an issue that needs attention. It’s a good idea to schedule a visit if you experience burning every time you cry.
Keep watch for some of these other symptoms that may point toward a deeper issue:
- Blurry vision
- Redness that will not go away
- Sensitivity to light
- A feeling that something is stuck in your eye
We can perform a comprehensive eye exam to identify the cause of your discomfort and recommend a personalized approach to help you find relief.
Say Bye to the Burn
Everyone can do with a good cry from time to time, but when it starts to burn, it’s time to start paying attention. That stinging sensation is your body’s way of telling you something. Whether the air is dry or your eyes need more support, you need to listen!
If you have concerns about burning eyes, contact our friendly team at Airdrie Family Eye Doctors to schedule your appointment today.
