If soap gets in your eye, rinse with clean water for 15 minutes. See a doctor if pain or blurry vision continues.
Steps
- Rinse with clean lukewarm water for 15 minutes.
- Keep eyelids open.
- Remove contacts if easy.
- Don’t rub.
Why it stings
Soap is alkaline and disrupts the tear film.
Healing
Most irritation fades within a few hours.
See a doctor
If pain, redness or blurry vision continue.
Emergency
Strong chemicals (bleach, drain cleaner). Rinse and call 911.
First aid steps
Flush the eye with clean lukewarm water or saline for at least 15 minutes, holding the eyelids open. Blink often. Remove contact lenses if they come out easily. Do not rub the eye. Most household soaps are mildly irritating and cause stinging and redness for minutes to a few hours.
- Soap raises pH and disturbs the tear film, causing stinging and temporary blurred vision.
- Strong cleaners, bleach, and dishwasher detergents can cause serious chemical burns and require emergency care.
- Baby shampoo is formulated as tear-free by using milder surfactants and a buffered pH.
When to get help
See a doctor if pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity or redness lasts more than a few hours or worsens. Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) for guidance. Go to the emergency room for chemical products other than mild soap, severe pain, vision loss or if a child cannot be calmed. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends flushing immediately for any chemical splash.
First aid steps
Rinse the eye with lukewarm water for 15 minutes by holding it under a gentle stream, keeping the eye open. Remove contacts. Soap can cause stinging, redness and temporary blur.
When to get help
Seek care if pain, vision change or redness persists after rinsing, or for strong chemical soaps. Poison control is 1-800-222-1222.
First aid for eyes
Soap irritates because of its alkaline pH and detergents, causing stinging, redness and tearing. Flush the eye right away with lukewarm water or saline for 15 to 20 minutes, holding the eyelids open. Remove contact lenses if possible.
When to see a doctor
Most cases resolve within a few hours, with mild irritation. Seek care if pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, discharge or redness lasts more than a day. Chemical injuries from strong cleaners, such as drain cleaner or industrial products, are an emergency, so flush for at least 20 minutes and call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 or go to an emergency room. Do not rub the eye. Tear free baby shampoo is formulated at a more neutral pH to reduce stinging.
Based on data from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Poison Control Centers
