Long days of swimming and playing in the pool with friends and family is a fun experience that almost every child wants to enjoy to the fullest. These are extremely important socializing and bonding experiences. If your little champ aspires to be a swimmer in the future or swims out of passion, then the importance of the pool increases manifold. But it is not as much fun if your little swimmer comes back with irritated, red, and itchy eyes, is it?
Irritated Eyes After Swimming is a Common Problem
Many swimmers often complain that an hour in the pool causes their eyes to redden and itch, producing irritation. If you or your child is facing the same problem, it can be a real nuisance. If you want to learn more about why this happens and how you can protect your little one’s eyes from this, read this article.
Why Do Your Eyes Turn Red After Swimming in The Pool?
Most people believe that your eyes can redden after swimming because of the chlorine in the pool water. It is understood that chlorine irritates your eyes when the pool water containing the chemical enters them. This might not be entirely true.
Many ophthalmologists believe that the problem is not the chlorine itself, but urine in the water. Children often get into the habit of urinating in the pool, especially when left unsupervised. The chlorine added to the water to clean it reacts with the urine to form chemicals called chloramines. When these enter your eyes, they cause irritation, redness, watering, and swelling.
How To Cure Eye Irritation After Swimming?
This can be avoided in a few simple ways. They are:
- Wear watertight swimming goggles to prevent the seepage of the pool water into your eyes.
- Use lubricating gels and eye drops before going into the pool.
- Remove contact lenses before swimming if you wear them.
- Soothe your eyes by running cold water and pressing a cool compress.
Conclusion
Thus, follow these prevention methods for avoiding eye irritation. In case irritation still persists, try over-the-counter allergy medication. However, if the problem gets increased unnaturally, you should go to a specialist eye clinic like The Retina Centre and opt for better treatment.