Hair dye contains a potent mix of chemicals, including alkaline agents like ammonia, an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide, and colorants like paraphenylenediamine (PPD). When these substances contact the delicate tissues of the eye, they can cause serious chemical injury. Alkaline components rapidly penetrate the cornea and break down cell membranes, potentially leading to a severe chemical burn. Consequences range from mild irritation to permanent vision loss, making prompt first aid necessary.
Immediate Rinsing and First Aid Steps
The immediate action is to flush the affected eye with clean, running water. This step is crucial because the goal is to dilute and wash away the corrosive chemicals before they cause deep tissue damage. Use lukewarm tap water and aim for a minimum flushing time of 15 to 20 minutes continuously.
A highly effective method is to get into a shower and direct a gentle stream of water onto your forehead, allowing it to flow over the affected eye. If using a sink, tilt your head down and to the side so the water flows from the inner corner outward, preventing contamination of the other eye. Hold your eyelids open during the entire rinsing process to ensure the water reaches all surfaces.
Remove any contact lenses immediately, either before or during flushing, as they can trap chemicals against the eye’s surface, worsening the injury. Keep the eye open and move it in all directions—up, down, and side to side—to wash out any dye trapped beneath the eyelids. Do not stop rinsing just because the pain has subsided; the full 15 to 20 minutes is necessary to neutralize and remove the chemical residue.
Assessing the Type and Severity of Symptoms
After the initial, prolonged rinsing, observe the eye for symptoms that indicate the extent of the damage. Mild exposure often results in temporary symptoms like redness, excessive tearing, and a burning or stinging sensation, which may resolve quickly. This discomfort usually suggests temporary irritation or mild chemical conjunctivitis, which is inflammation of the eye’s outer membrane.
More concerning signs point toward a serious chemical burn or corneal damage (injury to the clear front surface of the eye). Severe symptoms include intense, persistent pain, inability to keep the eye open, or significant swelling of the eyelids. You may also notice blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, or increased sensitivity to light (photophobia).
Visible cloudiness of the cornea or a change in the eye’s color should be treated as a medical emergency, as these signs suggest deep tissue penetration. Severe reactions can also involve delayed allergic responses to ingredients like PPD, causing swelling that may not appear until hours later. Any symptoms that do not completely resolve after the full 20 minutes of rinsing signal the need for professional medical evaluation.
Professional Medical Care and Follow-Up
An immediate visit to an emergency room or an ophthalmologist is mandatory if pain, blurring, or irritation persists after home rinsing. Any change in vision, such as difficulty seeing clearly, also necessitates prompt professional care to prevent long-term complications. Bringing the hair dye container is helpful, as medical staff can identify the specific chemicals and tailor treatment.
Upon arrival, medical professionals will likely continue irrigation using sterile saline solution and may perform a pH test to confirm the eye’s surface has returned to a neutral state. They may also use fluorescein dye to stain the eye’s surface, allowing them to visualize and assess the extent of any corneal abrasion or burn. Treatment often involves prescribed topical antibiotic drops to prevent infection and potentially steroid drops to reduce inflammation.
For more severe injuries, the doctor may place a specialized contact lens or an eye patch over the cornea to promote healing. The long-term prognosis depends on the severity of the initial injury; mild irritations heal completely within a few days. However, a severe chemical burn, particularly from alkaline agents, can lead to scarring, glaucoma, or permanent vision impairment.