The sensation of tears burning the skin around the eyes can be uncomfortable, often leading people to wonder if something is wrong with their body chemistry. This irritation occurs when the delicate balance of the tear film is disrupted, transforming tears from a soothing cleanser into an irritant. Understanding how certain conditions change tear chemistry is the first step toward finding relief and managing the discomfort.
The Normal Composition of Tears
The tear film is a sophisticated three-layered structure designed to protect and nourish the eye’s surface. The outermost lipid layer, secreted by the meibomian glands, acts as an oily barrier that slows down tear evaporation, keeping the eye moist.
The thickest component is the aqueous layer, made of water, salts, proteins, and nutrients. This middle section provides moisture, washes away foreign particles, and delivers oxygen to the cornea. The innermost mucin layer allows the aqueous layer to spread evenly across the cornea, ensuring constant lubrication and protection.
The Mechanism of Skin Irritation
The burning sensation results from tear film hyperosmolarity, meaning the tear fluid has become too concentrated. When the water content evaporates too quickly, remaining solutes, especially salts, become highly concentrated. This concentrated fluid acts like a hypertonic solution when it contacts the sensitive skin of the eyelids and cheeks.
This salty solution draws moisture out of the surrounding skin cells in an attempt to achieve equilibrium. This moisture stripping dehydrates the delicate periorbital skin, causing physical irritation and a stinging sensation.
Tears may also experience a shift in their normal, near-neutral pH level. Tears that become too acidic or too alkaline can directly irritate the free nerve endings present in the skin. The combination of chemical irritation from an abnormal pH and physical dehydration caused by hyperosmolarity creates the burning feeling.
Underlying Conditions That Alter Tear Chemistry
Dry eye syndrome is one of the most frequent causes of hyperosmolarity and burning tears. This occurs when the eye does not produce enough aqueous tear fluid, or the lipid layer fails to prevent evaporation effectively. When the aqueous layer volume is low, the salts and proteins within the tears become densely packed, leading directly to the concentrated, burning fluid.
Allergic reactions introduce inflammatory mediators, notably histamine, into the tear film. This chemical change makes the skin around the eyes significantly more reactive and sensitive to minor changes in tear chemistry.
Conditions like blepharitis, which is inflammation of the eyelids, introduce inflammatory byproducts and debris into the tear film. Blepharitis often involves dysfunction of the meibomian glands, compromising the protective lipid layer and accelerating tear evaporation.
Both bacterial and viral forms of conjunctivitis cause the eyes to produce tears mixed with inflammatory exudates and immune cells. These tears are chemically distinct from normal tears and often have an altered pH, making them inherently irritating when they run down the face.
Exposure to harsh elements can also rapidly alter the tear film. Wind, low humidity, and prolonged screen use increase the rate at which the aqueous layer evaporates. This accelerated evaporation quickly concentrates the tear film, resulting in a hyperosmolar solution that irritates the skin upon contact.
Immediate Care and Medical Consultation
For immediate relief when tears burn the skin, gently rinse the area with cool, clean water to dilute concentrated salts and restore moisture. Avoid rubbing the irritated area, as this can worsen inflammation and damage the sensitive skin barrier. Applying a gentle, preservative-free artificial tear drop helps restore a balanced tear film on the eye’s surface.
While occasional burning might resolve on its own, certain symptoms warrant immediate consultation with an eye care specialist. Seek professional advice if you experience persistent eye pain, noticeable changes in vision, or a feeling of a foreign body. Other red flags include excessive redness, thick discharge, or a burning sensation lasting more than two days.