Chemical Splash In The Eye: First Aid!

If a chemical splashes into your eye,
take these steps immediately.
1. Flush your eye with water. Use
clean, lukewarm tap water for at
least 20 minutes, and use
whichever of these approaches is quickest:
A. Get into the shower and aim a gentle stream of lukewarm
water on your forehead over your affected eye. Or direct the
stream on the bridge of your nose if both eyes are affected.
Hold your affected eye or eyes open.
B. Put your head down and turn it to the side. Then hold your
affected eye open under a gently running faucet.
C. Young children may do best if they lie down in the bathtub
or lean back over a sink while you pour a gentle stream of
water on the forehead over the affected eye or on the bridge
of the nose for both eyes.
2. Wash your hands with soap and water. Thoroughly rinse
your hands to be sure no chemical or soap is left on them.
Your first goal is to get the chemical off the surface of your
eye, but then you must remove the chemical from your hands.
3. Remove contact lenses. If they don’t come out during the
flush, then take them out.
Caution
Don’t rub the eye — this may cause further damage.
Don’t put anything except water or contact lens saline rinse in
the eye, and don’t use eyedrops unless emergency personnel
tell you to do so.
4. Seek emergency medical assistance
After following the above steps, seek emergency care . Take
the chemical container or the name of the chemical with you to
the emergency department. If readily available, wear
sunglasses because your eyes will be sensitive to light.
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