Perfume in Eyes: Immediate Relief & When to See a Doctor

The Dangers of Getting Perfume in Your Eyes

Spraying perfume, whether accidentally or intentionally, into your eyes can be extremely dangerous and cause injury. Your eyes are very sensitive, so exposing them to the chemicals present in perfumes and fragrances can lead to painful irritation, inflammation, and even vision damage if left untreated.

Causes of Perfume in Eyes

There are a few common ways that perfume ends up spraying or dripping into eyes:

Accidentally triggering the perfume bottle toward your face
Spraying too close to your face
Rubbing your eyes after applying perfume to skin

Regardless of how it happens, perfume and fragrance chemicals should never come into contact with eyes. The results can be painful and cause short-term or long-term issues.

Dangers and Effects of Perfume in Eyes

Getting perfume or fragrance in your eyes exposes them to chemicals like alcohol, parfum/fragrance, denatured alcohol, essential oils, and many others depending on the particular formula. These ingredients, even in small amounts, can cause:

Burning sensation
Excruciating pain
Blurred vision
Excess tears and watering
Redness and bloodshot eyes
Light sensitivity
Eyelid inflammation
Corneal damage in severe cases

What to Do Immediately

If perfume or fragrance gets in your eyes, it's important to take quick action to minimize damage and discomfort:

Flush eyes - Rinse eyes thoroughly with cool water for 15-20 minutes to dilute and flush out chemicals.
Don't rub eyes - Rubbing will only worsen irritation and pain.
Remove contacts - If wearing contacts, remove them promptly.
Seek medical care - See a doctor immediately if pain, changes in vision, sensitivity to light or other concerning symptoms develop.

Treating Perfume in Eyes

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms. Your doctor can best advise on appropriate medications and care, which may involve:

Medications

Artificial tears - Soothe eyes and help flush out irritants.
Steroid eye drops - Reduce inflammation.
Antibiotic eye drops - Prevent infection.
Oral pain relievers - Alleviate eye pain and discomfort.

Home Remedies

In mild cases, using a cold compress can provide relief in addition to flushing eyes thoroughly with cool water. Allow eyes plenty of rest by avoiding screens, driving, reading, and eye strain.

Emergency Treatment

If you experience sudden loss of vision, significantly blurred vision that doesn't improve, unbearable pain, or any concerning eye symptoms after perfume exposure, seek emergency medical care immediately. Emergency treatment may involve special eyewashes to neutralize chemicals, medications through an IV, and eye exams to assess for injury.

Preventing Future Perfume Eye Injuries

Once you recover, it’s wise to take precautions to avoid perfume and eyes coming into contact again by:

Applying perfume 6-8 inches from skin.
Spraying perfume away from face.
Closing eyes and mouth when spraying.
Washing hands after application.
Keeping perfume bottles capped.

Being careful when using perfumes can go a long way in preventing painful and costly eye injuries. Seek prompt treatment if you do get perfume or fragrances in eyes, and consider safer application techniques moving forward.

FAQs

Can perfume cause permanent eye damage?

In severe cases, yes - perfume and fragrances contain chemicals like alcohol, oils, parfum, and preservatives that can severely irritate or even damage sensitive eye tissue if exposure occurs. Flushing eyes promptly can help minimize lasting damage.

Is it okay to use eye drops after perfume exposure?

Yes, artificial tear eye drops can help soothe irritation and flush out eye irritants after perfume exposure. But do not use eye drops until after you have rinsed eyes thoroughly with water first.

When should I go to emergency room for perfume in eye?

Go to the ER immediately if you experience sudden vision impairment, intense pain, sensitivity to light, or eye injury symptoms that do not quickly improve after flushing eyes and removing contacts. Urgent specialized eye care can help prevent lasting issues.

How do I prevent getting perfume in my eyes?

Always spray perfume 6-8 inches from skin and avoid aiming near eyes or face. Wash hands after application, keep bottles capped when not in use, and be very careful when using spray perfumes to avoid accidental eye contact.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.