Why Do My Eyes Burn When I Cry? Causes, Relief, and When to See a Doctor

Explore why crying might cause burning eyes, common causes, home remedies, and when to seek medical advice.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 25, 2025

Explore why crying might cause burning eyes, common causes, home remedies, and when to seek medical advice.

Crying is a natural response to emotions, but burning or stinging sensations in your eyes during or after crying can be uncomfortable and, at times, concerning. While mild and short-lived burning is usually harmless, persistent eye irritation may point to underlying health concerns. This article explores the science of tears, the common causes of burning eyes when crying, home treatments, and when professional advice is necessary.

What Are Tears?

Tears are vital for maintaining eye health and clear vision. They lubricate your eyes, wash away debris, and play a crucial role in protecting delicate eye tissues. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the average person produces between 15 and 30 gallons of tears each year.

Lubrication: Tears keep the eye surface moist, allowing for smooth blinking and comfort.
Protection: Basal and reflex tears help wash away dirt, dust, and irritants.
Response to Emotions: Emotional tears result from strong feelings, such as sadness, joy, or frustration.

All forms of tears contain key ingredients:

Water: The primary component, hydrating the eye and flushing out debris.
Electrolytes: Such as sodium and potassium, which keep tears balanced and maintain the health of ocular tissues.
Lipids: Oily molecules that prevent tears from evaporating too quickly.
Metabolites and Proteins: These aid in bacterial defense and tissue repair, and (in emotional tears) may contain hormones related to stress and mood.

Types of Tears

Your eyes produce three main types of tears, each serving specific roles:

Type	Purpose	Main Components	Trigger
Basal Tears	Everyday lubrication and protection	Water, oils, mucus, proteins	Produced continuously
Reflex Tears	Wash out irritants	More antibodies, enzymes, and salt	Triggered by irritants (e.g., smoke, onions, dust)
Emotional Tears	Reduce stress during emotional events	May contain additional hormones and proteins	Triggered by feelings (e.g., sadness, joy)

The different mixtures of hormones, proteins, and salt in these tears can sometimes contribute to burning or stinging—especially when produced in large quantities or in response to certain stimuli.

The Structure of a Healthy Tear Film

The tear film consists of three layers, each with unique functions:

Oily Layer (outermost): Produced by the meibomian glands, this reduces tear evaporation and gives tears a smooth surface.
Watery Layer: From the lacrimal gland, hydrates and washes away foreign material.
Mucus Layer (innermost): Produced by goblet cells, ensures even coating of tears over the eye surface.

If any of these layers are deficient or unbalanced, problems such as dry eye or excessive tearing with burning sensations may result.

Why Do Eyes Burn When You Cry?

Most people will occasionally experience a burning sensation when they cry. This feeling results from various potential causes, both clinical and nonclinical:

Nonclinical Causes

Environmental Irritants: Smoke, dust, and air pollution can irritate the eye surface, causing reflex tears to flush away invaders. The higher salt and enzyme content in reflex tears can briefly sting or burn.
Sweat: Salt in sweat can drip into your eyes, especially during exercise, triggering burning and a reflex tearing response to wash it away. Cosmetics or skin products carried by sweat may worsen the sensation.
Natural Tear Composition: Emotional and reflex tears can have higher concentrations of certain proteins or salt, making them more likely to irritate sensitive eyes.
Contact Lenses: Wearing contacts can make your eyes more sensitive to changes in tear composition, leading to more noticeable burning while crying.

Clinical Causes

Dry Eye Syndrome: If your eyes are not producing enough quality tears, or tears evaporate too quickly, the surface of your eye becomes dry, leading to redness, burning, and sometimes excessive tearing. Ironically, chronic dryness triggers more tears, but if lacking in necessary oily or mucous components, these tears provide little relief and may increase irritation.
Blepharitis: Inflammation of the eyelids (often due to infection or allergies) can cause a burning, stinging, or itchy sensation, especially when combined with tear production from crying. You may notice red, crusty, or itchy eyelids with this condition.
Allergies (Allergic Conjunctivitis): Allergens such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites trigger histamine release, causing red, watery, burning, and itchy eyes. The tears produced due to allergies contain immune components that can sting sensitive eyes.
Infections (e.g., Conjunctivitis): Pink eye and other infections increase discharge (sometimes pus), alter tear composition, and can lead to burning, redness, blurred vision, and discomfort.
Eye Strain or Fatigue: Prolonged screen time or low lighting can strain your eyes, making the tear film less effective and increasing burning during periods of high tear production, such as crying.

Symptoms That May Occur With Burning Eyes

In addition to burning or stinging, you may experience:

Redness
Itchiness
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to light
Grittiness or scratchy sensation
Swollen or puffy eyelids
Watery eyes
Discharge (clear, white, yellow, or green)

If these symptoms are severe, persistent, or accompanied by vision changes, seek medical attention.

What Can You Do at Home for Burning Eyes?

For mild and temporary irritation, the following home remedies can help soothe your eyes:

Apply a Cool Compress: Place a clean, cool, damp cloth gently over your closed eyelids to reduce burning and inflammation.
Use Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter lubricating drops supplement tear film moisture—opt for preservative-free brands if you use them frequently.
Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes: This can worsen irritation or introduce new irritants.
Rinse with Saline: Sterile saline solution can flush out potential irritants if they’ve gotten into your eyes.
Remove Contact Lenses: Take them out during irritation, and only reinsert when symptoms have resolved.
Address Environmental Triggers: Move away from smoke, strong scents, or wind, and consider wearing wrap-around sunglasses outdoors.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Most cases of mild burning after crying are short-lived. However, you should speak with an eye care professional if you experience:

Severe pain or intense burning
Persistent symptoms lasting more than one or two days
Vision changes (blurriness, double vision, vision loss)
Unusual discharge or pus
Redness that spreads or worsens
Sensitivity to light or inability to open eyes
Injury to the eye or foreign body sensation that does not resolve with blinking

Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and protect your long-term vision.

Prevention Tips for Burning Eyes

Limit Allergen Exposure: Keep windows closed during high pollen days and use air filters indoors.
Practice Good Hygiene: Avoid sharing eye makeup or towels, and wash hands before touching your face.
Take Screen Breaks: Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
Keep Eyes Moist: Use humidifiers in dry environments and avoid unnecessary exposure to fans or air conditioners.
Stay Hydrated: Drink enough water to help support healthy tear production.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do my eyes burn only when I cry and not otherwise?

The act of crying increases tear production, often with altered composition (salt, proteins), which can irritate sensitive or dry eye surfaces. Underlying conditions such as dryness, mild allergies, or eye strain may not cause symptoms until extra tears are produced.

Can emotional tears sting more than other types?

Yes. Emotional tears can contain higher concentrations of certain proteins and stress-related hormones. In some people, this can cause greater irritation than basal (everyday) tears.

Should I avoid crying if my eyes burn every time?

No. Crying is a healthy emotional response. Persistent burning indicates a potential underlying eye condition that may need treatment—address the root cause, not the act of crying itself.

Is burning always a sign of an eye infection?

No, though infections can cause burning. Most cases of burning during crying stem from environmental factors, dry eye, or allergies. Look for other signs of infection (e.g., pus, severe redness, pain, vision changes) to determine if professional evaluation is needed.

What treatments are best for chronic burning with crying?

Treat dry eye with artificial tears or prescription drops under medical supervision.
Control allergies with oral antihistamines or allergy eyedrops.
Manage blepharitis with warm compresses and eyelid hygiene as directed by your doctor.
Seek professional evaluation to tailor treatment to your specific diagnosis.

The Takeaway

Mild burning of the eyes when you cry is usually nothing to worry about and often resolves quickly. However, when burning is persistent, severe, or accompanied by additional worrisome symptoms, it may signal an underlying condition requiring medical care. Practicing good eye hygiene, addressing any chronic eye health issues, and using proven soothing strategies at home can help reduce discomfort. When in doubt, consult your eye care provider to protect your vision and overall eye health.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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