How to Relieve Eye Pain After Swimming

After swimming in a chlorine-treated pool, your eyes may become red and swollen. This is because the pool water contains chemicals that wash away your natural tear film, causing irritation. Although the discomfort from eye irritation typically fades over time, it can be quite uncomfortable in the moment! Fortunately, there are several ways to soothe your eyes faster, whether you swim in a pool or the ocean.

Rinse your eyes with cool water to remove harsh chemicals. After exiting the pool, some water may still remain in your eyes. Rinse your eyes with cool water to remove chloramine and other chemicals that could cause stinging. Stand by the sink and pour water slowly into each eye using a cup. Gently pat your eyes dry with a soft towel after rinsing.

• If you wear contact lenses, make sure to remove them first. However, remember that you should never wear contact lenses while swimming, as bacteria and irritants can get trapped beneath the lenses and rub against your eyes.
• Although your eyes may not feel relief immediately after rinsing, this step is essential, as any remaining chemical residue will continue to cause discomfort.
• Cool water can help reduce inflammation, but warm water can also be effective if you prefer it.

Use saline solution to restore moisture in your eyes. If you experience dryness and stinging after swimming, a saline solution can help soothe your eyes. Saline solution is similar to natural tears and works by replenishing moisture and flushing out impurities, providing immediate relief. You can easily find regular eye saline solutions at pharmacies. Be sure to check the expiration date to ensure the product is still good. After swimming, apply a few drops to your eyes according to the instructions on the bottle.

• Always carry a bottle of saline solution in your beach bag or swim bag to have it handy when needed.

Lubricate dry eyes with artificial tears. To further hydrate your eyes, you can add 1-2 drops of artificial tears or eye lubricating solution after rinsing your eyes with saline. Apply two drops every hour for 4-6 hours following swimming. Be sure to choose eye drops labeled 'artificial tears' or 'lubricating' on the label.

• Avoid using eye drops with a red-eye formula, as these can dry your eyes out and cause additional irritation.
• You can also apply a few drops of artificial tears before swimming to prevent dryness from the start.

Try using milk to soothe your eyes, but be aware of potential risks. This method has not been scientifically proven, but some swimmers report using it to relieve their eyes after a long day in the pool. You can use a dropper or spoon to place a few drops of milk into your eyes. Blink a few times and wipe away any excess milk. However, it’s important to note that there is no scientific evidence supporting this method. If your eyes feel worse after using milk, stop immediately.

• Milk may work by balancing the pH in the eye or soothing the eyes with its protein coating.
• If your eyes are more irritated after using milk, rinse the milk out with water.
• While there isn't much formal research on the risks of using milk in your eyes, some doctors caution that it may not be safe since milk is not sterile.

Use a cold compress to reduce inflammation and pain. If you're suffering from burning eyes, a cold compress can be a quick and simple way to soothe your eyes. The cold compress helps reduce swelling and alleviate pain. Simply soak a towel in cool water, close your eyes, and place the towel over your eyes for a few minutes. The burning sensation will naturally decrease.

• If the towel becomes warm and your eyes aren’t feeling better, you can re-soak it in cool water and continue applying it.
• You can also wrap an ice pack in a clean, lint-free cloth if you prefer a colder compress.
• To avoid spreading germs, refrain from sharing your towel or ice pack with others until they have been washed.

Place wet tea bags on your eyelids to soothe inflamed eyes. Tea contains anti-inflammatory compounds known as polyphenols that can help reduce swelling and irritation. Soak two tea bags in cool water. Lie down, close your eyes, and place the tea bags over your eyelids. Leave them there for about 10 minutes, or until the tea bags warm up. If your eyes are still sore, you can dip the tea bags back into cool water and reapply.

• While tea has anti-inflammatory properties, there is no evidence to suggest it is more effective than water at soothing eye irritation. However, due to their size, shape, and absorbent nature, tea bags can serve as an excellent homemade compress for your eyes!

Try cucumber slices to cool and hydrate your eyes. Although there isn’t much scientific research on the effects of cucumbers, this home remedy has been used for years to treat swollen, irritated, and burning eyes. Chill a cucumber, then slice it into two thick pieces. Lie down, close your eyes, and place the cucumber slices on your eyelids. The cool slices will soothe your eyes and restore moisture to dry skin around them.

• Similar to tea, cucumbers contain plant chemicals that help reduce inflammation and discomfort. Furthermore, the chilled cucumber slices have a cooling, hydrating effect and are the perfect size for an eye compress.
• If cucumbers aren’t available, some health and beauty experts recommend using chilled raw potato slices instead. After using cucumbers, rinse your eyes to remove any residue.

Use a gel eye mask to cool your eyes. Gel eye masks are great for soothing tired eyes and even reducing headaches. Keep the mask in the fridge so it’s cool and ready whenever you need it. You can purchase gel eye masks online or at your local pharmacy.

Remove your contact lenses before swimming. Never swim with contact lenses in, as they can trap irritants and bacteria against your eyes. Before entering any pool, ocean, or body of water, make sure to remove your contact lenses first.

• If you need corrective lenses for clear vision underwater, consider getting prescription swim goggles for safety.
• Wearing contact lenses while swimming puts you at risk of serious eye infections. A corneal infection could lead to permanent vision damage.
• If you forget to remove your contact lenses before swimming, don’t panic! Just take them out as soon as you’re done swimming, and soak them in contact lens solution for at least 24 hours to cleanse any debris. If you’re using disposable lenses, throw them away and replace them with new ones.

Wear swimming goggles when entering the water. This is the best way to prevent eye irritation from pool water or seawater. If you keep the water out, your eyes won't get red or stinging while swimming. Make sure to wear goggles so you can swim comfortably and open your eyes underwater without worrying about discomfort afterward.

• Be sure to choose goggles that fit snugly around your eyes to ensure water doesn't leak in while swimming.
• If you can't tolerate goggles, try to keep your eyes shut as much as possible when submerged in water.
• If you have young children, encourage them to wear swimming goggles to keep their eyes healthy.

Avoid swimming in pools with strong chemical smells or murky water. Have you ever swum in a pool with a strong chemical odor? Many people mistakenly think it’s the scent of chlorine, but it’s actually the smell of chloramines, chemicals that form when chlorine reacts with sweat, sunscreen, urine, saliva, and other substances, causing eye irritation. Look for these signs to determine if a pool is not clean:

• The pool has a strong chemical smell (or any other unusual odors).
• The water looks cloudy rather than clear.
• You don't hear the sound of cleaning equipment working, such as the pump or filtration system.
• The pool surface seems slippery or sticky rather than clean.

Only swim in lakes and rivers designated as safe for swimming. Lakes and rivers don’t need chemical treatment; they have natural ways of preventing harmful bacteria. However, some rivers and lakes are in disrupted ecosystems and may contain bacteria that could irritate your eyes or lead to infections. To stay safe, be sure to:

• Only swim in designated safe swimming areas; avoid areas marked as "no swimming" zones.
• Avoid swimming in polluted rivers or lakes.
• Don’t swim in stagnant ponds or lakes with murky water or a greenish tint.
• Avoid swimming in lakes with abundant algae. These bodies of water can harbor cyanobacteria that irritate the eyes or cause illness.
• Steer clear of swimming in lakes near crop fields or agricultural areas, or near drainage outlets, as these lakes may be contaminated with E. coli.

Test the water if you're unsure about its safety. Environmental protection agencies may conduct safety tests on lakes and rivers in your area, but you can also purchase home testing kits to check water quality yourself. Look for water testing kits online that detect waterborne pathogens and pollutants, particularly E. coli, and follow the instructions for testing the water.

• E. coli is often an indicator that the water could cause eye irritation or illness, as other pathogens may be harder to detect. If this bacterium reaches a certain level, it’s likely that other harmful microbes are also present in the water.
• In some areas, you can purchase affordable testing kits at local health clinics.