Are your eyes burning as soon as you take a shower, light a candle, or clean your kitchen? You’re likely using a product that contains chemicals that are irritating your eyes. Eyes are incredibly sensitive; even small amounts of airborne or surface chemicals can cause discomfort, disrupting the tear film or causing inflammation on the eye surface.
There are many household items that can cause irritation, such as household cleaners, hygiene products, and cosmetics, to name a few. And while some products are labelled “gentle” or “natural,” that doesn’t always mean they are irritation-free – essential oils, preservatives, and fragrances can still trigger reactions.
Let’s take a closer look at some everyday household items that may be causing your eyes to sting, water, or feel dry—and what you can do to reduce your exposure.
Contents
- 1 Household Products
- 2 Long-Term Effects of Exposure to Irritants
- 3 Choosing Eye-Friendly Household Products
- 4 Protective Eyewear
- 5 Recognizing Symptoms for Professional Consultation
- 6 The Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Household Products
1. 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.
How to Avoid
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.
Even better, consider switching to safer alternatives, such as vinegar, baking soda, or castile soap-based solutions. They are effective for most cleaning jobs and are much gentler on your eyes and respiratory system.
2. Soap
If you’ve ever gotten 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.
How to Avoid
For sensitive skin and eyes, use mild, fragrance-free products with fewer foaming additives—or consider switching to a “tearless” alternative.
3. 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.
How to Avoid
It’s essential to wash your makeup off every night to prevent discomfort or redness, and to discontinue use of the brand if irritation persists.
Moreover, expired makeup products like mascara, eyeliner, and powdered eye shadows can harbour bacteria, while sharing cosmetics with others can introduce infections. To minimize the risk of makeup-related eye troubles, always replace products every few months and clean brushes regularly.
4. Insect Repellent
Insect repellents contain compounds that can be irritating and even toxic, especially to the eyes.
How to Avoid
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.
Alternatively, consider switching to lotion-based repellents or natural options with citronella or lemon eucalyptus oils for milder protection.
5. 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, several potentially hazardous chemicals are commonly used in fragrances, including acetone, Linalool, and benzaldehyde, which can irritate your eyes, skin, and lungs and cause serious health conditions. Poor ventilation makes these effects even worse.
How to Avoid
Make sure to open windows or run a small fan when lighting candles, or consider using an unscented beeswax candle with a cotton wick instead.
6. 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, especially with waterproof or high-SPF formulas containing chemical UV filters.
How to Avoid
Mineral-based sunscreens, such as those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, are generally less irritating.
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.
7. 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.
How to Avoid
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.
8. 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. Many laundry products contain optical brighteners and synthetic fragrances that leave residues on fabric. These can irritate sensitive skin and eyes when transferred through bedding or clothing. Chemicals such as ethanol, sodium silicate, and bleach can cause a number of health issues and cause your eyes to water and burn.
How to Avoid
Fragrance-free detergents and wool dryer balls are excellent alternatives that reduce static without chemical additives.
9. Lawn Care Products
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: pesticides, fertilizers, and weed killers can drift into the air and irritate the eyes even when applied outdoors.
How to Avoid
Wear protective glasses when spraying or mowing and avoid touching your face until after washing your hands. Switching to organic products can help reduce your chances of experiencing acute and chronic health effects.
10. Mattress and Bed Sheets
Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments, such as bedding, and can trigger symptoms like itching, redness, or watery eyes, particularly in individuals with allergies.
How to Avoid
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. To further alleviate the symptoms, wash sheets weekly in hot water and use allergen-proof covers for mattresses and pillows. Regular vacuuming with a HEPA filter also helps reduce airborne dust.
Long-Term Effects of Exposure to Irritants
Most mild irritation from household products is temporary and improves once exposure stops. However, 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.
The good news is that taking early preventive steps, such as using safer cleaning agents and protecting your eyes during chores, greatly reduces the risk of long-term damage.
Choosing Eye-Friendly Household Products
If your household products irritate your eyes, choose products without ingredients like:
- Ammonia
- Triclosan
- Formaldehyde
- Other alkaline-based chemicals
Reading product labels carefully is one of the best ways to protect your eyes. Look for terms like “fragrance-free,” “hypoallergenic,” and “low-VOC.” Products that say “tearless” are also more likely to be eye-friendly. Staying informed about 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.
When cleaning, keep windows open or use a fan to improve airflow and limit chemical buildup.
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 prevent chemicals from coming into contact with your skin and eyes, protecting you from skin irritation and potential eye damage.
Recognizing Symptoms for Professional Consultation
Persistent redness, itching, or discomfort can sometimes resemble allergies but may actually result from chemical irritation or dryness. 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, please contact your optometrist to schedule an appointment. An eye exam can pinpoint whether symptoms are caused by environmental factors, allergies, or a more serious condition and 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.