Why Do My Eyes Burn When I Cry?

Tears can sometimes leave your eyes feeling irritated for a short time. Mild, brief discomfort is usually normal, but intense burning or pain might point to an underlying eye issue that needs attention.

Common sensations linked to tear-related eye irritation include:

• burning
• stinging
• itching

Continue reading to find out why your eyes may sting when you cry and what self-care steps you can try at home to ease discomfort. If symptoms continue, seek evaluation from a healthcare professional.

What are tears?

Tears are produced when you cry and play a vital role in maintaining eye health. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that an average person generates between 15 and 30 gallons of tears annually.

Tears lubricate the eyes and protect vision. Basal and reflex tears specifically help rinse away:

• dirt
• particles
• hazardous substances

Emotional tears, however, are typically produced in larger amounts in response to feelings such as:

• sadness
• physical pain
• joy

All tears contain:

• water
• electrolytes
• metabolic byproducts
• lipids

Researchers also suggest emotional tears may carry extra hormones and proteins, according to a 2018 review.

Nonclinical causes

Feeling a burning sensation while crying does not always signal an eye disease.

Environmental irritants

Exposure to smoke or other airborne irritants triggers your lacrimal glands to create reflex tears that flush out these contaminants. Reflex tears can also contain antibodies to combat potentially harmful microbes.

Depending on what’s being removed, reflex tears may cause stinging. You’ll likely notice a heavier flow of tears, which can resemble emotional crying.

For example, if soap gets into your eye, the resulting burning and stinging typically subside once the soap is cleared, unlike symptoms from a chronic eye problem.

Sweat

Sweat can also make your eyes sting. In these moments your eyes may produce reflex tears as well. Burning is more likely if sweat drags chemical irritants into your eyes, such as skincare products or makeup.

Clinical causes

Eye burning during crying might be due to a medical condition. Potential causes include:

Dry eye

Burning is a frequent complaint with dry eye. Other signs may be:

• redness
• blurred vision
• a persistent dry or scratchy sensation

Dry eye arises when your eyes don’t produce sufficient tears to stay lubricated. Causes can include:

• hormonal changes
• certain medications
• contact lens wear

The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes dry eye is more common with advancing age because tear production from lacrimal glands declines over time.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis is an inflammation affecting the eyelids that causes:

• swelling
• inflammation
• discomfort

People with blepharitis are more prone to dry eye. Symptoms can be uncomfortable and include:

• burning
• excess tearing
• itching
• dryness
• crusty eyelid margins
• light sensitivity
• blurred vision

Eye allergies

Burning that worsens when you cry might also stem from eye allergies. Seasonal pollen is a common trigger, but allergies can also be caused by:

• mold
• smoke
• pet dander
• dust mites

Similar to blepharitis and dry eye, allergic eye symptoms can include:

• burning
• redness
• watery eyes
• itching

With eye allergies, you may also have other allergic signs such as sneezing and nasal congestion. Symptoms often worsen with additional irritation from crying or rubbing the eyes. If you find yourself frequently crying when angry, this emotional response can also aggravate irritation and allergy-related discomfort.

How to treat it

Therapies for burning eyes during crying can include home measures and over-the-counter products aimed at the likely cause. Options include:

• warm or cool compresses applied over closed eyelids
• gently cleaning eyelid margins with cotton swabs to remove crusting from blepharitis
• wiping around the eyes with a warm cloth to remove irritants like soap, sweat, or makeup
• artificial tears for dry eye, blepharitis, and allergy-related irritation
• antihistamine eye drops for allergic symptoms
• ointments or gels to hydrate the delicate skin around the eyes
• using an indoor humidifier to increase ambient moisture

General allergy relief may come from over-the-counter oral antihistamines. Yet, if you have dry eye, oral antihistamines can worsen dryness, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Your clinician might instead suggest:

• prescription antihistamines
• decongestants
• steroid eye drops

For severe allergic disease, allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be an option.

Prescription options

Prescription treatments depend on the root cause but may include:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) eye drops
• antibiotic drops or oral antibiotics for bacterial blepharitis
• steroid eye drops to reduce inflammation
• medications that stimulate tear production, such as cyclosporine (Restasis)

When to call a pro

Any new onset of eye burning when you cry should be assessed by a healthcare provider.

Occasional reflex tearing from minor irritation is normal, but persistent tearing and burning may signal an undiagnosed eye problem.

If you already have a diagnosed eye condition like dry eye, stick to your prescribed care plan.

Contact a medical professional if symptoms are new, worsening, or fail to improve with self-care and treatments.

The bottom line

Burning when you cry is often temporary and may subside once tearing stops. However, frequent or severe burning—especially that which occurs every time you cry—could reflect an underlying eye condition.

If home measures don’t relieve your symptoms, consult a healthcare provider for guidance. Depending on your situation, they may refer you to an eye specialist for further evaluation and treatment.