Português (Brasil)
English (US)
Español
Got alcohol in your eye?
Stop everything: got alcohol in your eye? Immediate danger! We won’t waste time with introductions because you’re probably in distress. It’s time to act fast!
If someone near you has gotten alcohol in their eye, here’s a step-by-step guide on what to do right now to ease the pain and ensure no damage occurs.
Now, if alcohol got into your eye: rinse with water immediately and only continue reading after at least fifteen minutes of running water, okay?
Let’s start the rescue operation!
Got alcohol in your eye? Water immediately!
Rinse with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes. Also, avoid touching or rubbing your eyes - this will only spread the alcohol further.
Alcohol is highly harmful to the eyes. It irritates the mucous membranes and, if it spreads, can reach areas where the pain is intense - and the damage may be irreversible.
If alcohol gets into the eye, it’s best to take the person under a shower, turn on cold water, tilt their head, and let the water flow directly over the affected eye. Let it rinse for 15 minutes.
This will help flush out the alcohol and significantly ease the pain. But this isn’t the final step.
Watch for Signs of Inflammation
It’s hard to say when the pain will completely subside, but if it persists for hours after contact with the substance, it’s time to seek an ophthalmologist immediately, preferably at an emergency room.
Persistent pain is the main sign of eye inflammation. Intense pain that goes beyond stinging is a key indicator of more serious damage.
Other symptoms include intense redness that lasts a long time, excessive tearing, blurred vision and dark spots.
These symptoms can appear independently. You might not feel any discomfort but notice dark spots in your vision. It may seem harmless if the pain has faded, but that’s not always the case.
Stay vigilant and keep an eye out for any symptoms.
What problems can be caused by alcohol in the eye?
The most common reaction is a strong burning sensation. Don’t worry - serious cases are rare. Do they happen? Yes, but not frequently.
Still, it’s important to stay alert to the symptoms. Don’t ignore any of the signs mentioned earlier, as they could indicate more serious issues.
Here’s a list of potential problems that can occur if alcohol gets into the eye:
Corneal burn – The cornea is the outer layer of the eye. When it’s burned, it causes intense pain that goes beyond stinging, along with severe redness. Seek emergency medical care immediately.
Keratitis – This can occur alongside a corneal burn. It is characterized by a change in eye coloration, going beyond the usual redness caused by blood vessels. The eye may appear "cloudy".
Corneal ulcer – This is a small wound that forms on the eye, almost like a sore. Over time, it may turn whitish and could require surgery for removal.
If alcohol gets into the eye, it’s best to rinse thoroughly and head to the hospital. Sometimes, these issues can develop without obvious symptoms, so professional evaluation is essential.
How to Prevent Problems with Hand Sanitizer Getting into the Eyes
The biggest concern with hand sanitizer getting into the eyes is that it often happens with children.
One reason is the use of foot-activated sanitizer dispensers, commonly placed at store entrances. The danger for children is that the dispenser nozzle is often positioned right above their heads or directly at eye level when they activate it.
Another common issue is leaving hand sanitizer within easy reach of children. Since they often see parents and family members applying the product, they might imitate the behavior and accidentally cause an incident.
Although accidents with adults are less common, they can still occur. The key is to always be mindful of the drying time - it takes less than a minute. When applying hand sanitizer, mentally count the drying time if necessary. This habit can help prevent you from accidentally touching your eyes before the product has fully dried.
Newsletter
