Table of Contents
- What Happens If I Get Soap Or Face Wash In My Eyes?
- Should I Put Eye Drops After Getting Soap in My Eye?
- How To Prevent Soap From Getting Into The Eyes? Tips
- Conclusion
What happens when soap gets into your eyes? It’s an unpleasant experience. I, for one, shout whenever I’m in such a situation.
Soap, a staple of cleanliness and hygiene, can sometimes find its way into the eyes, causing discomfort and irritation.
Whether it’s accidental splashes during handwashing or shampoo mishaps in the shower, dealing with soap in the eyes can be a challenging experience.
The pH of the eye or the tears is slightly alkaline, and most of the soaps we get from the market are highly alkaline.
So, if soap gets into the eye, yes, it can cause damage to the eye; Eyes have a low tolerance for alkaline substances.
What can we do to prevent it? Let’s dive into the science of symptoms and strategies for managing the discomfort when soap enters the eyes.
Let’s start!
What Happens If I Get Soap Or Face Wash In My Eyes?
A thin layer covers our eyes called the tear film, which is composed of three layers: an oily layer, a watery layer, and a mucous layer.
This film protects our eyes and provides the necessary hydration to keep them comfortable.
When soap disrupts this film, it can lead to a stinging sensation. The pH level of soap(9-10) is also higher than that of our eyes, which typically have a pH of around 7.
Soap’s alkaline nature can cause a burning feeling, disrupting the natural balance of the eye’s environment.
Here’s what typically happens if soap gets in your eye:
Burning or Stinging Sensation: The most common immediate sensation is a burning or stinging feeling in the affected eye. This sensation can be pretty intense, leading to discomfort or pain.
Redness and Irritation: The eye may become red and inflamed as a result of the irritation from the soap. This redness can extend to the surrounding eyelids and is consequently accompanied by swelling.
Blurred Vision: Soap in the eye can temporarily blur vision, making it difficult to see clearly.
This occurs due to the disruption to the tear film and the presence of foreign substances on the eye’s surface.
Tearing and Watery Eyes: The eye’s natural response to irritation is to produce tears in an attempt to flush out the offending substance.
This can lead to excessive tearing and watery eyes as the body tries to remove the soap from the eye.
Sensitivity to Light: Some people may experience increased sensitivity to light (photophobia) after getting soap in their eyes.
This sensitivity can exacerbate the discomfort and persist until the soap is thoroughly rinsed out.
Should I Put Eye Drops After Getting Soap in My Eye?
1. Rinse Immediately: first, wash your hands to remove any chemical or soap residue; flush your eyes with lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes. This helps to dilute the soap and wash away any residue.
You can use an emergency eyewash, particularly if it’s a chemical that splashes into your eyes. But if you don’t have water, it is excellent.
You want to try your best to keep your eyelids open, so you have a constant flush of water down to that eye. Again, wash for a minimum of 15 minutes. You can blink every once in a while.
Paraventure, you have contact lenses in your eyes, and soap gets in them. Remove contact lenses immediately.
2 Use Eye Drops: Over-the-counter artificial tears or lubricating eye drops can help soothe irritation and provide relief from dryness and discomfort.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and dosage.
3. Avoid Rubbing: While it might be your first instinct, rubbing your eyes can cause more irritation and potentially scratch your cornea.
4. Seek Medical Attention: If symptoms persist or worsen after rinsing, or if you experience severe pain, vision changes, or signs of infection (such as discharge or swelling), seek medical attention promptly.
A healthcare professional can assess the situation and provide appropriate treatment, such as prescription eye drops or ointments.
What to do if a child gets soap in the eyes? The above-listed treatment works for children, too, and you can contact your pediatrician or ophthalmologist if your child’s symptoms don’t improve or worsen.
How To Prevent Soap From Getting Into The Eyes? Tips
To prevent soap from getting into your eyes in the first place, consider the following tips:
Close Your Eyes Tightly: This might seem obvious, but ensuring your eyes are shut tightly while washing your face can go a long way.
Use Tear-Free Products: Many soaps and shampoos on the market are designed to be less irritating to the eyes. Choose Gentle Products
Wash Your Hair Backwards: When rinsing your hair, tilt your head back to allow the water and soap to run away from your face.
Conclusion
While getting soap in the eyes can be an uncomfortable and unpleasant experience, knowing how to manage the situation can help minimize discomfort and prevent further irritation.
Remember to exercise caution when using soap near the eyes and choose gentle products to reduce the risk of irritation.
Additionally, if symptoms persist or worsen, or you experience severe pain, vision changes, or signs of infection, seek medical attention promptly from a healthcare professional or eye doctor.
They can assess the situation and provide appropriate treatment to help soothe the irritation and prevent complications.
With these strategies in mind, you can navigate the occasional mishaps of soap in the eyes with confidence and ease.
