Cleaning material in eyes? What to do and how to treat it 2023
Cleaning materials are a basic need for environments and every house to stay clean and smell nice. So what happens if cleaning material in eyes? What are the possible damages? How should it be intervened? What are the things to watch out for? Below you will find what you wonder about all these questions.
What Happens When Cleaning Material In Eyes?
Getting cleaning material into the eyes is a very important process that requires careful and rapid intervention. First of all, in order to prevent such an event from happening to us, cleaning materials should be removed from risky areas and equipment such as laboratory glasses should be used when necessary. Eye cleaning materials can cause chemical eye burns, and these types of burns are divided into three substances:
Alkaline Burns
They are most common as they have a high pH that penetrates the surface of the eye and can cause serious damage to both external structures such as the cornea and internal structures such as the lens.
Cleaning agents containing these alkaline chemicals include:
- Sodium hydroxide (Sewage cleaners) (Caustic soda)
- oven cleaners
- Ammonia
- Bleach
Acid Burns
They are caused by chemicals with a low pH. They are generally less damaging than alkali burns. Since they do not penetrate the eye as easily as alkaline substances, they cause superficial damage. But burning hydrofluoric acid is quite dangerous. Types of acids that can cause eye damage include:
- Phosphoric acid
- Acetic acid (Vinegar)
- Citric acid
- sulfamic acid
- Hydrochloric acid (Spirit of Salt)
- Hydrofluoric acid (Glass cleaner)
Irritants
These are pH neutral substances that tend to cause more eye irritation than actual damage. Most chemicals used in household cleaning fall into this category. You can find examples below:
- Dishwashing Liquids
- Multi-Purpose Surface Cleaners
Also read: Dopamine Detox: Everything you need to know 2021
How to Clean in Case of Getting Cleaning Material in the Eye?
There are several different techniques for dealing with and cleaning the eye with cleaning agents:
How to Clean with Water?
It is preferred to use a pure aqueous solution prepared by laboratories for this purpose. However, if it is not available, it can use clean warm water running from the tap. Things to do to clean the eye from cleaning materials are as follows:
- Be sure to remove contact lenses first. Because it can cause irritants to become trapped in the eyes.
- Tilt your head so that the affected eye is tilted towards the ground to prevent the substance from getting into the other eye.
- Run a stream of water or solution from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner to remove the cleaning agents.
- Continue rinsing for 10 to 15 minutes, keeping your eye open and allowing the liquid to pass through. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to use chemicals for cleaning. For example: strong alkaline solution to wash and clean the eye for 60 minutes
- Look around while washing the eye to make sure there are no chemicals or residue under the eyelid.
How to remove detergent particles from sight?
When trying to remove chemical particles from the eye or eyelash, you can:
- Wash your hands before touching eyes.
- Examine the eyes in the mirror to try to find the particles.
- Try to close your eyes and let the tears wash away the particles.
- If the object is in the corner of the eye, try to gently remove it with a clean, damp cotton swab.
How to Clean with Pressure?
If there is swelling in the eye, the person can use hot or cold compresses without strong pressure or rubbing.
How to Clean with Tear Drops?
Tear drops can help clean the eyes from cleaning chemicals, but you should be careful when using them and consult your doctor. Tear drops can help clean the eyes from cleaning chemicals, but you should be careful when using them and consult your doctor.
Safety Tips to Consider When Cleaning the Eyes
When cleaning cleaning materials from the eyes, you should avoid doing the following:
- Rubbing objects or applying pressure to the eye
- Applying ointment or medication to the eye
- wearing or holding contact lenses in the eye
- If there is a wound or hole in the eye, the following should be avoided: rinsing the eye with water or removing objects caught in the eye, pressing hard on the eye, and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin (as these can increase bleeding.)
When Should You Go To The Doctor?
You should see a doctor within 24 hours if you are unable to wash the cleaning agents out of your eyes, or as soon as possible if:
- If the pain is getting worse
- Change in vision (especially if vision loss is sudden)
- If you have blurred vision and black spots in the eye
- If there is a colored or bloody discharge from the eye
- If your fever is rising
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