An eye infection, such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), affects the delicate mucous membrane lining the eyelid and outer eye surface. While maintaining hygiene is important, many people worry that showering will worsen the condition or spread the infection. You generally can shower with an eye infection, but you must take careful steps to prevent contamination and promote healing. These protective measures focus on limiting direct water exposure and managing the infectious organisms that cause irritation, redness, and discharge.
Showering Safely Minimizing Direct Eye Contact
You can shower while dealing with an eye infection, but the process requires a modified routine to protect the affected area. The primary goal is to prevent tap water, soap, and shampoo from directly entering the eye. Tap water is not sterile and can contain bacteria or other pathogens that could worsen the existing infection or cause irritation that prolongs recovery.
When washing your hair, tilt your head back significantly to ensure the soapy water runs away from your face and eyes. Using mild or tear-free shampoo reduces the chance of chemical irritation if residue splashes near the eye. A lower water pressure setting on the showerhead is also advisable, as high pressure can force contaminants into the eye.
Keep your eyes tightly closed for the entire duration of the shower, especially when rinsing your hair and face. Never rub your eyes while wet, as this can easily transfer infectious material into the eye. The warm steam from the shower can be helpful, as it may soften any dried discharge or crusting around the eyelids, making gentle cleaning easier afterward.
Hygiene Protocols to Prevent Contamination
Strict hygiene protocols are necessary to prevent the spread of the infection to the other eye, to other people, or back to yourself. The infectious organisms that cause pink eye are highly contagious and can survive on surfaces and fabrics. Use a separate, freshly laundered towel for your body and face, or ideally, use disposable paper towels to dry your face.
Avoid sharing personal items like washcloths, towels, and soap bars until the infection has fully cleared. After showering and touching your face, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. It is also recommended to wipe down frequently touched bathroom surfaces, such as faucet handles, with a disinfectant to limit cross-contamination.
Washcloths, pillowcases, and bedding that have contacted the infected eye should be washed frequently in hot water with detergent. If you use a compress, whether warm or cold, use a fresh, clean cloth each time and immediately wash or dispose of it to prevent reintroducing the infection.
Managing Post-Shower Care and Eye Treatments
After the shower, focus on drying the area and applying any prescribed treatments safely. When drying your face, gently pat the skin around the eyes with a clean towel or tissue rather than rubbing. Rubbing can cause irritation to the already inflamed conjunctiva and may spread the infection from one eye to the other.
Wash your hands immediately before and after applying any prescription eye drops or ointments. This prevents contaminating the medication’s dropper tip or transferring the infection. If using multiple types of drops, wait approximately five minutes between applications to allow each dose to be absorbed.
You must avoid wearing contact lenses until the eye infection is completely resolved and approved by a doctor. Contact lenses can trap infectious agents against the cornea; if worn during the infection, they should be discarded along with the case. Similarly, all eye makeup used during the infection should be thrown away, as cosmetics are easily contaminated and can cause reinfection.
Warning Signs and When to Skip the Shower
While a cautious shower is usually acceptable, certain symptoms indicate a severe infection that requires immediate medical attention. You should seek prompt care if you experience severe eye pain that is disproportionate to the redness, or if there is a sudden change in your vision, such as new blurriness or loss of sight. These signs can suggest deeper corneal involvement, like keratitis, which is a serious infection of the eye’s clear front surface.
Extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia) or seeing halos around lights are serious warning signs that require a doctor’s evaluation. If the redness or swelling of the eye or eyelid worsens significantly over a 24-hour period, or if you develop a fever, these symptoms suggest the infection may be progressing dangerously. If a physician has provided specific post-surgical instructions prohibiting water contact—for example, after recent cataract or LASIK surgery—those instructions must always be followed.