The burning sensation in your eyes when you are sick is a frequent and uncomfortable side effect of your body’s response to infection. This irritation is not typically a sign of a severe primary eye problem but rather a secondary symptom arising from systemic changes during illness. The discomfort originates from a combination of the body’s generalized immune reaction, changes in tear composition, and the drying effects of common over-the-counter medications.
How Generalized Inflammation Irritates the Eyes
When a virus or bacteria invades the body, the immune system initiates a generalized inflammatory response to fight the infection. This process involves the release of signaling proteins called cytokines, which act throughout the body to regulate the immune attack. These inflammatory mediators affect mucous membranes, including the thin, clear tissue covering the white part of the eye, known as the conjunctiva. The presence of these cytokines on the ocular surface can trigger the sensations of burning, grittiness, and redness often associated with a viral eye infection, or conjunctivitis.
The congestion that accompanies a respiratory illness further contributes to eye irritation through an anatomical connection. Tears drain from the eyes through small openings into the nasolacrimal duct system, which empties directly into the nasal cavity. When the lining of the nasal passages swells due to inflammation or excess mucus production, this narrow drainage system can become temporarily blocked. The resulting backup of tears on the eye’s surface, which may contain inflammatory byproducts, can lead to increased tearing and a feeling of irritation or pressure around the eyes.
The Link Between Illness, Dehydration, and Dryness
Systemic factors related to the illness itself can reduce the quality and quantity of tears, leading to a dry, burning sensation. When you are ill, especially with a fever or reduced appetite, poor fluid intake can lead to overall body dehydration. This systemic dehydration reduces the aqueous component of the tear film, making the tears less effective at lubricating and protecting the eye’s surface, which causes the burning feeling.
Common medications taken to relieve cold and flu symptoms can exacerbate ocular dryness. Antihistamines block histamine, but they also have an unintended drying effect on mucous membranes throughout the body. Similarly, decongestants narrow blood vessels in the nasal passages to reduce swelling and congestion, but this action can also reduce the blood flow to the tear glands. Both medication types decrease tear production, compromising the protective tear film and leading to irritation.
Warning Signs That Require Medical Attention
While most cold-related eye irritation is temporary, certain symptoms warrant a prompt evaluation by a healthcare professional. Seek medical attention if the burning is accompanied by thick, yellow, or greenish discharge that crusts on the eyelids, indicating a bacterial infection requiring prescription antibiotic drops. Sudden changes to your vision, such as blurriness that does not clear with blinking or double vision, should also be immediately addressed.
Concerning signs include severe, stabbing pain that persists even when the eye is closed or a feeling that something is constantly lodged beneath the eyelid. Intense light sensitivity (photophobia), especially if worse in one eye, can signal a deeper issue. Any eye symptoms that last longer than the main respiratory illness or worsen steadily should be evaluated to rule out conditions like corneal abrasion or severe conjunctivitis.
Immediate Relief and Comfort Measures
To soothe burning and irritation, increasing moisture on the eye’s surface is the most effective strategy. Use preservative-free artificial tears frequently, as these drops supplement the natural tear film without sensitizing chemicals found in preserved varieties. Applying a warm compress to closed eyelids for five to ten minutes stimulates oil glands along the lid margin, improving the tear oil layer and reducing evaporation.
A cool compress can calm inflamed tissue and reduce burning. Avoid rubbing your eyes, as this increases inflammation and can introduce infectious agents. Since dehydration contributes to eye dryness, increase water and fluid intake to support tear production. To minimize strain, practice the 20-20-20 rule when using screens: take a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at an object 20 feet away.