That yellow “crust” in the corners of your eyes after waking up is usually normal — and way less mysterious than the internet makes it sound 👀
Here’s what it actually means.
What that yellow eye crust really is
It’s called rheum.
Rheum is a mix of:
- Dead skin cells
- Mucus
- Oils
- Tears
- Dust or debris
When you’re awake, blinking washes it away.
When you sleep, it builds up and dries, forming that yellow or tan crust.
When it’s completely normal ✅
You’re likely fine if:
- It’s small amounts
- Happens mostly in the morning
- Eyes aren’t painful or very red
- Vision is normal
This is just your eyes doing routine cleanup.
When the color matters ⚠️
Yellow or green, thick, sticky
May suggest infection, especially if paired with:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain or burning
- Eyes stuck shut
- Blurred vision
Common causes:
- Bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Sinus infections
- Blocked tear ducts
Clear or whitish
Often linked to:
- Dry eyes
- Allergies
- Irritation (screens, contacts, smoke)
Why some people get more than others
- Sleeping with a fan or dry air
- Allergies
- Contact lens use
- Eye makeup residue
- Sinus congestion
What you can do
- Gently clean with a warm, damp cloth
- Avoid rubbing your eyes
- Wash hands before touching eyes
- Replace old eye makeup
- Use lubricating eye drops if dry
🚫 Don’t scrape crust off with dry fingers — it can irritate the eye.
When to see a doctor
Get checked if:
- Discharge is thick, green/yellow, or constant
- Eyes are painful or very red
- Symptoms last more than a few days
- Vision changes
Bottom line
👁️ Morning eye crust is usually harmless
🟡 Yellow doesn’t automatically mean infection
🚨 Persistent, painful, or worsening symptoms = get evaluated
If you want, I can:
- Help you tell allergies vs infection
- Explain kids vs adult eye discharge
- Share safe home care tips
- Talk about dry-eye prevention
Just say the word 👍
