You should also seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, headaches or lightheadedness, double or impaired vision, dizziness or loss of consciousness, and rashes or fever. If eye washing is ineffective in your situation, you should call the Poison Control Center and seek medical attention. You should also contact another person to come get you to ensure you receive the proper medical attention.
Five minutes for mildly irritating chemicals, such as hand soap or shampoo Twenty minutes or longer for moderate-to-severe irritants, including hot peppers Twenty minutes for non-penetrating corrosives, such as acids like battery acid[3] X Research source At least sixty minutes for penetrating corrosives, which include household alkalis like drain cleaner, bleach, and ammonia[4] X Research source
Five minutes for mildly irritating chemicals, such as hand soap or shampoo Twenty minutes or longer for moderate-to-severe irritants, including hot peppers Twenty minutes for non-penetrating corrosives, such as acids like battery acid[3] X Research source At least sixty minutes for penetrating corrosives, which include household alkalis like drain cleaner, bleach, and ammonia[4] X Research source
You can also use bottled water. Milk can soothe burning from foods such as peppers. However, use sterile solution to flush your eyes as well. Always ensure that the milk hasn’t spoiled since this can introduce bacteria into the eyes.
A bowl is the best option whether you need to flush out a contaminant, a foreign particle, or even just for flushing tired eyes. The bowl should be large enough for you to fit your entire face in it. You can use a small cup that fits snugly around the rim of your eye socket, such as a shot glass. However, this should only be used for contaminants or tired eyes and not for small particles in your eye. You should avoid using the eyedropper for most situations that are simply treating dry, tired eyes.
The longer you leave these caustic/acidic materials on the surface of the eye, the more damage will be done. the goal is to rinse them out as quickly as you can.
Again, you can’t over-wash your eyes. If you’ve been exposed to an irritant, especially a chemical, it’s okay to wash longer than the suggested amount of time.
The commercial eyewash solution or sterile water should be between 60–100°F (15. 6–37. 8°C). [10] X Research source
Be prepared for some small spills. Lean over a sink while you do this so that the solution doesn’t run down your face and onto your clothes. If you’re worried, wear a towel around your neck to keep yourself dry.
If you have a sterile plastic syringe, you can also carefully use one that does not have a sharp tip or needle.
Ensure that you do not actually touch the dropper to your eyes or eyelashes.
Repeat as needed, but do not double dip the same spot on the towel into the solution for sanitary purposes. Use a different dry section of the towel, or use a different towel entirely.
If possible, it’s better to use sterile, purified water rather than ordinary tap water. Tap water can contain more bacteria and additives than sterile water. If you don’t want to make an eye wash solution, you can always substitute tap water. Just understand that it may be more irritating and it carries a higher risk of containing bacteria, etc. [14] X Research source
If possible, it’s better to use sterile, purified water rather than ordinary tap water. Tap water can contain more bacteria and additives than sterile water. If you don’t want to make an eye wash solution, you can always substitute tap water. Just understand that it may be more irritating and it carries a higher risk of containing bacteria, etc. [14] X Research source
Cover the solution while it’s cooling to ensure no new contaminants are introduced. Keeping the solution cool can give it a refreshing effect when it’s used on your eyes. However, don’t cool the eyewash below 60°F (15. 6°C). [15] X Research source It can be painful and even slightly damaging to your eyes. Even if you take extra care to keep your solution clean, be sure to throw it out after a day or two. Bacteria can be re-introduced to a solution after it’s been boiled.
For instance, some chemicals—such as most of the alkali metals—react violently with water. The Poison Control Center can easily identify the correct steps for you to take. If they advise you to call 911 and also to rinse your eyes, have someone else around you call emergency services for you while you concentrate on rinsing your eyes. The quicker you can get to a hospital, the more likely you are to prevent serious injury or blindness.
If your sink has an adjustable faucet, point it directly into your eye at a low pressure and a lukewarm temperature and hold your eyes open with your fingers.
