Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Rinsing the eyes
• Method 2 of 3: Using a compress
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing Irritation
• Tips
• Warnings

Are your eyes prone to redness and irritation after swimming? This is a reaction to chloramines - substances that accumulate in the pool water if it is not properly treated with special reagents. Irritation goes away on its own over time, but there are simple ways to reduce this irritation immediately after the pool. If you are swimming in salty seawater, these methods will help you as well.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Rinsing the eyes

1. 1 Rinse your eyes with cool water. Water can remain in the eyes after the pool, so rinse your eyes thoroughly with cool water to remove residual chloramines and other irritants. Tilt your face over the sink and gently rinse one eye and then the other with a cup of water. Pat your eyes dry with a clean, soft towel.
   • Rinsing the eyes with water will not have an immediate effect, but it is an important first step, as otherwise irritating substances from the pool water will remain in the eyes.
   • Cool water can reduce inflammation, but if you prefer warm water, rinse with warm water.
2. 2 Use saline solution to restore moisture in the eyes. If you experience dry eyes or itchy eyes, a saline solution can help relieve the discomfort. Saline solution is essentially artificial tears that keep the eyes hydrated and provide quick relief. Regular saline eye drops are available from pharmacies. After the pool, drip drops according to the instructions.
   • Carry a bottle of these drops in your beach or pool bag so you can have them on hand whenever you need them.
3. 3 Try a few drops of milk. This method of relieving irritated eyes has no scientific basis, but experienced swimmers use it after training in the pool. Use a dropper or spoon to put a few drops of milk into your eyes. Blink a few times and remove any milk residues. Milk has alkaline properties and is believed to have the effect of neutralizing water irritants.
   • Use this method at your own risk. There has not been any scientific research on whether this method works and what side effects it might have.
   • If irritation persists or even worsens after milk instillation, flush eyes with water.
4. 4 Try flushing your eyes with a baking soda solution. This home remedy is believed to help reduce eye irritation. Like the previous milk method, this method has no scientific basis... If you want to try it, mix a quarter teaspoon of baking soda with half a glass of water. Soak a cotton ball in this solution and squeeze it into your eyes. Blink a few times to make your eyes look like they are covered with a baking soda solution. If irritation intensifies or does not go away after a few minutes, rinse your eyes thoroughly with clean running water.
   • Be careful not to rub your eyes to avoid scratching them with baking soda particles.

Method 2 of 3: Using a compress

1. 1 Use a cold compress. A cold compress that can be done quickly and easily can help reduce swelling and irritation. Simply dampen a terrycloth towel with cool water and place it over your closed eyes. The burning sensation will gradually go away by itself. If the tissue heats up before your eyes feel better, wet the tissue again and repeat the procedure.
2. 2 Use wet tea bags. Tea has anti-inflammatory properties and helps relieve swelling and irritation. Moisten two sachets with cold water, lie on your back, close your eyes and place the sachets on your eyelids. Hold the bags until they are at room temperature. If the eyes remain inflamed, rinse them with cold water and repeat the procedure.
3. 3 Try cucumber slices. Chill the cucumber in the refrigerator, then cut two slices. Lie down, close your eyes and place the slices on your eyelids. Cucumber will reduce skin irritation and moisturize it.
4. 4 Use grated potatoes. Potatoes are astringent, so they can be used to soothe irritation and reduce inflammation. Grate fresh potatoes and apply over eyes. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then wash off with cool water.
5. 5 Make an aloe compress. Aloe is used for various kinds of inflammation, it can be used to make a softening compress for the eyes. Mix a teaspoon of aloe vera gel with a teaspoon of cold water. Blot two cotton pads in this mixture, lie on your back, close your eyes and place the discs over your eyes. After 5-10 minutes, remove the discs and rinse your eyes.
6. 6 Use a gel eye mask. Gel masks have a soothing effect on the eyes and may even relieve headaches. Store the mask in the refrigerator and use refrigerated when needed. These masks are sold at pharmacies or cosmetics stores.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing Irritation

1. 1 Use swimming goggles. Glasses are the best way to protect your eyes from irritation. The goggles prevent eye contact with irritants in pool water or seawater. The goggles will allow you to swim as long as you want, keeping your eyes open in the water, and avoid subsequent irritation.
   • Make sure the glasses fit you. They should fit snugly so that water does not seep out when swimming.
   • If you don't like swimming with goggles, try to keep your eyes closed when diving.
   • If you have children, teach them to swim with glasses too to keep their eyes healthy.
2. 2 Avoid swimming pools with a persistent "chemical" smell. Have you ever been to a pool with a persistent chemical odor? Many people mistake this smell for chlorine, but chlorine is odorless. The source of this strong ammoniacal odor is actually chloramines, which are formed when chlorine combines with sweat, sunscreens, and saliva that enter the water. Such a pool is not flushed with chloramines reagents. Here are the signs of a not-so-clean pool:
   • There is a strong chemical smell (or any other smell) in the pool.
   • The pool water is cloudy, not clear.
   • No cleaning equipment (such as pumps and filters) can be heard in the pool.
   • Pool covers are slippery and sticky.
3. 3 Be careful when swimming in lakes and rivers. Lakes and rivers do not require cleaning with special reagents. They have self-cleaning mechanisms. However, some lakes and rivers may be part of polluted ecosystems, and therefore pathogenic microorganisms may be present in them.
   • Swim only in natural waters that are recognized as safe. Avoid bodies of water that are not allowed to swim.
   • Do not swim in lakes or rivers contaminated with industrial waste.
   • Do not swim in lakes or stagnant ponds. Do not swim in bodies of water that are overgrown with algae and are green.
   • Avoid lakes with too much algae. There may be cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) present, which are toxic and irritate to the eyes, skin or ears. If swallowed, cyanobacteria can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and other symptoms.
   • Do not swim in lakes near pastures and farms, as the water can be contaminated with E. coli.
4. 4 Take general measures when swimming. To stay healthy during and after swimming, try not to open your eyes and mouth underwater. After swimming, take a shower. If you are injured or scratched while swimming, immediately clean the wound or cut. While the chances of contracting a serious illness are low in most swimming areas, there is still a risk, so it is best to take action.
   • See your doctor if you find signs of an infection. If you have areas of skin that are soft, red, swollen, or hot, this could be a sign of a staphylococcal infection.
5. 5 Check the water you are going to swim in if you are unsure of its safety. Usually, water tests are carried out in the bodies of water before the start of the swimming season and the results are published on local news sites and in newspapers, however you can test the water yourself (especially if it is a small body of water that has not been tested). Search online for a kit to test your water for major pathogens and pollutants, especially E. coli, and then run the test by following the instructions carefully.
   • E. coli is often considered an indicator that water is harmful to health, as other pathogens can be more difficult to detect. If E. coli is present in certain quantities in the water, then there is a high probability that it contains other pathogens.

Tips

• Dampen your eyes with a clean, damp cloth or towel.
• If your child can't reach the sink to rinse their eyes over it, dampen a paper towel or washcloth with warm water. Hold the compress first on one eye, then on the other.
• Try to always wear swimming goggles to minimize eye problems.
• Rinse your eyes with cool water and apply a damp towel or tissue to them for 10 minutes. This will cool and refresh them.
• If your eyes are swollen, soak cotton balls or pads with room temperature water and massage the area around your eyes. Also rinse your eyes.

Warnings

• If you wear contact lenses or glasses, remove them before performing the above procedures. Also remove your lenses before swimming.