Shampoo stinging eyes, don't rub it! here's how to fix it

Shampooing is an essential part of your daily shower routine. But a morning shower session to start the day can turn completely into a disaster when your eyes sting with shampoo. Even though it seems trivial and can recover over time, have you ever wondered whether this carelessness will affect your vision in the future? What is the right way to deal with sore eyes that have been shampooed? Check out the information here.

Why does the shampoo foam feel sore in the eye?

The burning sensation when the eyes are exposed to shampoo is caused by the chemical content of the soap in the shampoo itself. Chemicals are irritants that can cause irritation, while there are many delicate, sensitive nerves that live in the eye. Exposed to the slightest stimulation, the eyes can become swollen and turn red. As a result, a sore eye sensation can be followed with or without other symptoms, such as itching in the eyes, eye pain, and watery eyes.

Red eyes that are stinging and watering are actually the body's attempt to defend itself from entering foreign substances. The nerves in the eye that are infested with the lather quickly send pain signals to the brain. The brain then orders the tear glands to release the tears to rinse the soap residue out of the eye.

However, eye reactions to shampoo are generally more severe than just ingestion of dust or cigarette smoke. This is because shampoo and soap chemicals have properties that are easily attached to water and also have a higher pH (more alkaline) than the normal pH of tears (pH 7). Therefore soap is easier to stick to eyes that have high humidity compared to dry skin.

Can shampoo in stinging eyes be harmful to eye health?

Most of the substances that get into your eyes that make your eyes sting will not cause serious eye problems. After rinsing, your eyes will usually feel a little sore or itchy, but these symptoms can quickly disappear.

How to deal with sore eyes that have been exposed to shampoo?

The only treatment needed for eyes that have ingested foreign substances, such as soap, shampoo, and perfume is to immediately flush the eyes with water. But you shouldn't do it haphazardly. Follow the instructions below

1. Calm down. Don't allow yourself to panic frantically when the shampoo stings your eyes. Take a deep and slow breath, calm yourself.

1. Don't rub your eyes. Rubbing your eyes will actually cause the shampoo to get deeper into your eyes.

1. Close your eyes. By closing your eyes, you are blocking more of the shampoo litter from entering your eyes. Don't open your eyes until you are ready to rinse off the shampoo.

1. Rinse your eyes with cold water for 2-3 minutes. Open your eyes and turn your face down shower so that your eyes are rinsed under running water for 2-3 minutes.

1. Drop the eye with artificial tears / moisturizing eye drops. This can help to get the shampoo residue out of your eyes.
2. Go to the doctor if your eyes sting or burn constantly, or if your vision becomes blurry even after cleaning your eyes with water.

Are there any ways to prevent shampoo from entering the eyes?

Apply the following methods to prevent sore eyes from getting shampooed the next time you shower.

1. Position your head to lean back when shampooing.
2. Close your eyes when shampooing.
3. Do not rub your eyes with your hands or fingers immediately after using shampoo.
4. Wash your hands after using shampoo.
5. Use a tear-free shampoo (tears-free shampoo), an example is baby shampoo. Baby shampoo has a pH that is close to the normal pH of tears and is also thinner, this means that if you get baby shampoo in your eyes, your eyes won't sting.

1. Use eye protection.