• Question: why does your eyes hurt sow much when u get chlorine in them

    Asked by tuckwell to Sarah, Murray, Diana, Caspar, Alan on 23 Mar 2011 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Diana Drennan

      Diana Drennan answered on 22 Mar 2011:

      Chlorine is basic, like many other chemicals can hurt your eyes (shampoo, conditioner, face cream, soap) these things hurt because they are basic and our eyes are acidic and very sensitive (see here for more about acids & bases http://chemistry.about.com/od/acidsbases/a/acidsbasesterms.htm ). When you get the base in your eyes it causes a reaction, but it also stimulates tears (and you wash it out pretty quickly !!) so it doesn’t cause any lasting damage. This is why some shampoos claim “no more tears” because they’ve lowered the pH so that it’s not basic any more. Dove face bar also has a lower pH than most soaps, so is less irritating. NOTE: if you get any of these in your eyes be sure to flush with LOTS of water until it stops stinging. Otherwise you can do damage to your eyes. Even after swimming its a good idea to flush your eyes with saline solution (like that sold for contacts) – it will make them feel much better.

    • Photo: Caspar Addyman

      Caspar Addyman answered on 23 Mar 2011:

      I don’t know.. Hopefully Sarah can tell you something about the chemisty involved.

    • Photo: Sarah Thomas

      Sarah Thomas answered on 23 Mar 2011:

      well its not the chlorine that hurts your eyes, its the pH of water. your eyes prefer to be slightly alkaline (pH 7.2 – 7.5) but sometimes pool water can be slightly acidic and this makes your eyes feel dried out. Best to wear goggles in the pool i think, even though they give you marks on your face! at least mine do!

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