Are your eyes burning as soon as you take a shower, light a candle, or clean your kitchen? You’re likely using a product which contains chemicals that are irritating your eyes. In fact, there are many household items that can cause irritation, such as household cleaners, hygiene products, and cosmetics, to name a few. To learn what products to avoid purchasing, here are ten household items that could be irritating your eyes.

Household Cleaners

Several household cleaners contain harsh ingredients, such as ammonia, triclosan, and formaldehyde. These are known to cause inflammation, irritation, and severe burning if they come in contact with your eyes. To avoid contact in the first place, it’s important to wear safety goggles or regular glasses, if that’s all you have, to protect your eyes from any serious damage. This is especially important when dealing with oven cleaners, stain removers, degreasers, toilet bowl cleaners, and any other potent disinfectants.

Soap

If you’ve ever got shampoo or dish soap into your eye, you know just how painful it can be. Soaps that are not considered “tearless” will likely contain alkaline-based chemicals that can irritate and sting your eyes. Fortunately, the effects are temporary, and most soap can be easily removed by flushing your eyes with water for several minutes.

Cosmetics

The makeup you use can also irritate your eyes, especially if you’re sensitive to certain ingredients. Additionally, small particles in powder and eye shadow can become lodged under the lid, causing irritation and inflammation. That’s why it’s important to wash your makeup off each and every night to avoid any discomfort or redness and to discontinue use of the brand if any irritation persists.

Insect Repellent

Insect repellents contain compounds that can be irritating and even toxic. To avoid getting them in your eyes, cover your eyes when spraying yourself with any type of insecticide. If the chemical touches your eye, first flush with water and then follow the instructions on the can.

Candles and Air Fresheners

Who doesn’t love lighting a nice, fragrant candle? But as lovely as they are, did you know these could also be causing your eyes to tear up and burn? Unfortunately, a number of potentially hazardous chemicals are commonly used in fragrances, including acetone, Linalool, and benzaldehyde which can irritate your eyes, skin, lungs, and cause serious health conditions. Unscented beeswax candles with a cotton wick are the safer option.

Sunscreen

We’ve all experienced the painful stinging effect that sunscreen can cause when it gets in your eyes. Although sunscreen won’t cause any permanent damage, it can cause some serious discomfort and eye inflammation. If you get sunscreen in your eyes, flush your eyes with water or lubricating eye drops. A cold, wet cloth can help to ease any stinging and alleviate the pain a little quicker.

VOCs

Your red, irritated eyes could result from volatile organic compounds (VOC) exposure. In fact, VOCs are everywhere inside your home, including the solvents, paints, furniture, and carpets. These can easily seep out and impact the air quality of your home, making your air 10 times worse than outside. To lower the VOC levels in your home, switch to VOC-free cleaners, avoid carpet cleaners and stain guards, and get an air filter that is designed to remove toxic VOC particles in your home.

Laundry Detergent and Softener Sheets

We all love the smell of fresh laundry, but did you know that it could be causing your watery, itchy eyes? Laundry detergents are, in fact, a strong eye irritant. Chemicals such as ethanol, sodium silicate, and bleach can cause a number of health issues and cause your eyes to water and burn.

Lawn Care

Your quest for lush, green grass could also be causing eye discomfort. Certain plant and lawn care chemicals are harmful to your eyes and body. Switching to organic products can help reduce your chances of experiencing acute and chronic health effects.

Mattress and Bed Sheets

Those pesky dust mites might be what’s causing your eye sensitivity. If you’re allergic to dust, over-the-counter pills and eye drops may help. If your symptoms are persistent, then a prescription medication might be the best option.

Long-Term Effects of Exposure to Irritants

Regular exposure to eye irritants without using any protection can lead to various long-term health issues, such as glaucoma, corneal damage, and dry eyes. Direct chemical exposure can, in the most severe cases, lead to blindness or loss of the affected eye. By choosing products without irritants where possible and practicing proper safety precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk to your continued eye health. 

Choosing Eye-Friendly Household Products

If your household products irritate your eyes, choosing products without ingredients like ammonia, triclosan, formaldehyde, or other alkaline-based chemicals can help reduce sources of irritation. Products that say “tearless” are also more likely to be eye-friendly. Staying informed on the ingredients in your cleaners, soaps, and cosmetics can help you be aware of potential irritants and where you can cut down on them in your life. 

If you do get a foreign substance in your eye, it’s best to rinse it with clean water and check the product packaging for warnings and potential next steps.

Protective Eyewear

Sometimes, harsher chemicals are necessary to clean, and that’s when personal protective equipment can help you keep your eyes and skin safe. Wearing safety glasses and gloves can keep chemicals off your skin and out of your eyes, protecting you from skin irritation and potential eye damage. 

Recognizing Symptoms for Professional Consultation

Knowing when to contact an eye doctor is another option you can leverage to help catch early signs of eye disease and prevent further complications. Symptoms that you may experience due to exposure to irritants include:

  • General eye pain.
  • Blurred vision.

  • Eye redness.

  • Nausea.

  • Headaches.

  • Halos or rings around lights.

  • Loss of peripheral vision.

  • Sensitivity to light.

  • Swollen eyelids.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should get in contact with your optometrist to schedule an appointment. This way, they can examine your symptoms and run tests to determine the best course of action to treat and address your eye concerns.

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

Even if you aren’t experiencing any immediate symptoms of damage due to irritants, scheduling regular eye exams can help you catch any issues well before they manifest! Don’t suffer in silence—instead, visit us at Laurier Optical to get an eye exam! We’ll check the condition of your eyes, look for any underlying health issues and also answer any questions you have about common eye allergens and irritants that you may have in your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.