What Happens If You Get Soap In Your Eye: 3 Things To Do

Getting soap in your eye is a scary experience, especially if you have ever heard of the old wives’ tales that getting soap in your eye can make you go blind. Fortunately, this isn’t true, and avoiding getting soap in your eye is easy. Here are some things you need to know if that unfortunate situation happens. Soap in the eyes is uncomfortable but not dangerous unless it’s a chemical solution such as bleach or another corrosive substance. 

Getting regular bar soap in your eyes is usually okay and should resolve quickly with little risk of long-term effects. The effects of getting bar soap in your eyes will last only as long as it takes for the eye to rinse the soap out naturally; about five minutes on average for most people. If you get any sort of soap—bar or liquid—in your eyes, follow these steps to reduce discomfort and speed up resolution.

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Image Credit: dollarshaveclub.com

What Happens if You Get Soap In Your Eye?

The first step if you get soap in your eyes is to rinse them out as soon as possible. If you have water immediately available, then use it. If not, use an eye wash solution. Eye wash solutions can be purchased at most pharmacies and contain saline (salt water), which can rinse unwanted substances out of your eyes. 

Warm water can help reduce discomfort. Be careful, though, to avoid putting your fingers near your eye, as this can make the problem worse. If you have gotten soap in your eye, do not rub your eye or attempt to wipe it out. Also, avoid using any sort of eye- or face-scratching motions. These motions can cause the soap to spread further and increase the discomfort until it is gone. 

If you get any kind of chemical into your eye, get medical attention immediately. Chemicals like bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and ammonia can cause serious, long-lasting effects if they get into your eye. While the soap is in your eye, keep your eye closed whenever possible. This can help limit how much soap enters your eye and make the process of rinsing it out go faster.

Rinse your eye with plain water to help flush out any contaminants; then, get to the doctor right away. If you are wearing eye makeup when the soap gets into your eye, you can wipe it away with a clean cotton ball before you rinse your eye. But be careful not to get any cotton fibers stuck in your eye.

1. Rinse your eyes with water

Rinsing your eyes with water is an essential part of getting soap out of your eyes. If you have water available, you can use a steady stream to wash the soap out of your eye. Even a few drops of water can help flush the soap out of your eye. The first step in treating soap in your eyes is to rinse your eyes with water. Warm water can help reduce the discomfort associated with soap in your eyes.

It is important to avoid putting your fingers near your eye because this can cause the soap to spread further into your eye. Since water is the best tool for rinsing away soap in your eyes, put your hands up to your face and use your fingers to gently press the water out of your eyes. You may need to do this a few times before the water runs clear again.

2. Try using an eyelid compress

An eyelid compress is a way to help reduce the amount of soap that gets into your eye. First, get a clean washcloth and soak it in warm water. Then, take the cloth and put it over your eyelid for a minute or so. This will help to draw out any soap trapped between your eyelashes. If you use a washcloth, be careful not to get any fibers stuck in your eye. 

If you don’t have water or an eye wash solution on hand, you can use an eyelid compress to try to flush the soap out of your eye. To do this, use your clean hand to gently press down on your eyelid while holding your eye closed. If you have a friend or family member nearby, ask them to help you do this. You can also use a clean cotton ball to dab at the soap trapped between your eyelashes.

3. Consult your doctor if the soap is a chemical

If you are at all concerned that the soap in your eye is a chemical, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. Most bar soaps aren’t harmful, but you should still go to the doctor to make sure the soap isn’t irritating your eyes and that the soap doesn’t stay in your eye too long. If you get a chemical, such as bleach, in your eye, you need to get medical attention immediately. 

Chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia, can cause serious, long-lasting effects if they get into your eye. Rinse your eye with plain water to help flush out any contaminants and then seek medical attention. If you get any other type of soap or cleaning product in your eye, you are unlikely to experience any long-term effects. These cases are usually minor and will go away within a few minutes.

Conclusion

If you accidentally get soap in your eye, take a deep breath and don’t freak out. It is a common occurrence and one that can be easily remedied. The first step is to rinse your eye with water to remove any of the soap. If you get any other chemical in your eye, you need to get medical attention immediately. 

If you get bar soap in your eye, expect it to only last a few minutes before it is all out of your eye and your vision is clear again. If you get any other type of soap or cleaning product in your eye, you are unlikely to experience any long-term effects.

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