First aid: something in the eye
Don't rub. Flush with saline.
Call 911 if
- A chemical splashed in the eye. Flush for 20 minutes while someone calls
- Something poked into the eye. Don't remove it
What to do
- Wash your hands. Take out contact lenses.
- Tilt the head so the sore eye is lower.
- Flush gently with saline eyewash, from the inside corner outward.
- Blink. If it still feels stuck, cover with an eye pad and get it checked.
See a doctor or urgent care if
- Something is stuck on the eye
- Vision is blurry or it still hurts after 24 hours
- The eye is very red or sensitive to light
In every Nurse in a Box kit: saline eyewash and eye pads, with a registered nurse a tap away if you're not sure what to do.
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General first aid information based on guidance from the American Red Cross, Mayo Clinic, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC. It isn't medical advice and doesn't replace care from a nurse or doctor.