Exposure to Degreaser in Eye: What to Expect
25M, Earlier today, I accidentally got a few drops of "Zep purple degreaser" in my eye. Initially, it stung, and my eye became red and watery. I quickly went to an eye wash station, and thankfully, the discomfort, redness, and irritation subsided almost instantly. This incident occurred approximately 3 hours ago. Should I be worried about potential symptoms developing later, or did the eye wash effectively resolve the issue?
Answers (1)
7/1/2025, 6:10:36 AM
OpenHealth AI
It’s great that you acted quickly by using an eye wash station, as this is crucial for minimizing potential damage from chemical exposure. Given that your symptoms like stinging, redness, and irritation improved almost instantly after the rinse, it’s a positive sign. However, it’s understandable to be concerned about any delayed symptoms.
Explanation
The chemical components in degreasers can be irritating to the eye, and even though you rinsed your eye promptly, it can take time for any residual irritation or damage to surface. Symptoms you might still experience could include:
- Continued redness or irritation
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision or discomfort when blinking
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your condition for the next 24 hours. Watch for any worsening symptoms like increased redness, swelling, persistent pain, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light.
-
Avoid Rubbing Your Eye: This can cause additional irritation or damage, so try to keep your hands away from your eye.
-
Use Cool Compresses: If you feel any lingering irritation or discomfort, applying a cool, clean compress to your closed eye can help soothe it.
-
Artificial Tears: If your eye feels dry or irritated, using preservative-free artificial tears can provide relief.
-
Seek Immediate Attention if Necessary: If you notice severe worsening of symptoms, such as intense pain, vision changes, or if any discharge develops, seek professional medical attention without delay.
It’s reassuring that the initial response was positive, but remaining vigilant will ensure your eye health is fully protected. If you have any further concerns or notice changes, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help.
Related Questions
Concerns About Throat Bumps: Should I Consult My GP Again?
Greetings, everyone. Recently, I discovered the presence of a sore throat and upon examination, I noticed some red bumps at the back of my throat. Concerned, I sent a photo to my general practitioner, who suggested that these may be retention cysts due to obstructed mucus glands, advising me to keep an eye on them for the next few days. Currently, my only symptoms include a light cough and a slight soreness in my throat. After a follow-up check the next day, I noticed that the bumps appear to be changing color, possibly shifting to white. I'm unsure if this change is due to the lighting, as the pictures were taken at different times—one at night and another during the day. I’m seeking opinions on whether it’s still advisable to monitor the situation over the coming days since I’m not experiencing any additional symptoms. I do have a medical history that includes anxiety and reflux. 28-year-old male
28-Year-Old Female with Lymph Node Concerns and Unexplained Symptoms
Hello everyone, I’m a 28-year-old female generally in good health; I don’t have any serious past medical history and seldom fall ill. To be honest, I rarely seek medical attention. However, I’ve been feeling like something is off recently, which has prompted me to visit the doctor several times. This series of concerns began at the start of the year when I experienced digestive issues including cramping, sporadic hernia pain, and diarrhea. Initially, I attributed these symptoms to stress stemming from my high-pressure job, and while those digestive problems have largely subsided, I’ve been grappling with ongoing nausea and a lack of appetite, forcing myself to eat even though I seem to have gained weight. About a month ago, I consulted a physician due to migraines and discomfort from a swollen lymph node in my neck, which led to a prescription for amoxicillin. While the migraine pain has alleviated, the lymph nodes on the left side of my neck are now significantly hard, fixed, painless, and have increased in size to approximately 3 cm by 2 cm. Additionally, I started noticing bruises forming on my legs, which were identified by my GP as erythema nodosum. Initially, these were quite painful, but with the help of compression socks, the discomfort has lessened considerably, although the bruises remain visible. I’ve undergone various tests, including blood work that returned mostly normal results aside from low vitamin D levels, urine tests, and swabs — all of which were fine. An ultrasound was performed, and the senior radiologist commented on my "angry lymph nodes" without showing much concern. I am still awaiting a detailed report on that. Recently, I have also experienced significant fatigue (which I believed was a result of burnout) and have been waking up feeling overheated at night to the extent of needing to throw off the covers, yet my sheets aren’t drenched. Notably, my partner feels cold, indicating that it’s not the room temperature. I’ve had no fever or coughing. I can't shake off the intuition that there is something wrong. Although my healthcare providers are keeping an eye on my situation, my anxiety is growing. Are there specific questions I should be asking or areas where I should advocate for further investigation? Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Struggling with Prolonged Sinusitis
Currently, I’m facing a significant challenge with sinusitis that has persisted for the past 15 days (40-year-old female from Australia, weighing 80 kg). The initial six days were particularly tough; I relied heavily on nasal irrigation twice daily, utilized nasal sprays, took allergy medications, and even used a humidifier while sleeping. After a few days of slight improvement, my symptoms worsened yet again when I returned to my workplace. Although there are moments at home when I feel somewhat relieved, the discomfort intensifies while I'm in the office. I experimented with pausing the nasal rinses for a few days, suspecting they might be exacerbating the issue, but I've resumed them now. Unfortunately, nothing seems to provide any real relief—both the nasal flushes and sprays fail to clear my sinuses; instead, I often end up feeling more congested and uncomfortable afterward. While the sinus-related pain is not excruciating, it is still quite bothersome, and even ibuprofen does little to alleviate it. Typically, I experience these sinus issues several times each year, but they rarely extend beyond 7 to 8 days. I’m contemplating whether it’s possible to recover without the use of antibiotics, which my doctor seldom prescribes, and usually, I’m feeling better by this time. I’ve been trying to secure an appointment with my doctor, but sadly, she’s unavailable until late July! Other doctors seem to have packed schedules as well, making it difficult to find an earlier consultation. My symptoms do not include yellow or discolored mucus, as it remains clear, and I don’t have a fever. However, I do experience headaches and pain in my nose, eyebrows, face, and even some tooth discomfort. Additionally, one of my ears feels blocked. I'm uncertain about the best course of action to find some relief. Is it worthwhile to schedule an appointment for four days from now, which is the earliest I can get? I worry they might advise me to continue my current routine, as they often do. I sincerely hope to see improvement before then. Moreover, I need to obtain a referral to an ENT specialist to explore options that may prevent future occurrences of this issue.
Post-Necrotizing Pneumonia Recovery Challenges
Hello everyone, I wanted to share an update regarding my brother, who is 17 years old and had a significant health crisis. Standing at 6'2" and weighing around 95 kg before his illness, he now weighs approximately 73 to 75 kg after spending 4.5 months in the Intensive Care Unit due to necrotizing pneumonia, which was accompanied by flu, S. aureus PVL+, and pneumococcus, ultimately leading to septic shock. While I am grateful that he survived, he has been left with serious consequences, including the loss of half of his left foot and several toes on his right foot. He recently attended a follow-up appointment in the pulmonology department, and unfortunately, the news was not very promising. I’m seeking insight on the results he received to understand if there’s potential for recovery or whether some conditions might be lasting. Here are the translated findings from his recent tests: 1. **Blood Gas Analysis (with reference ranges)** - pH: 7.47 (Norm: 7.36-7.44) - pCO2: 3.73 KPa (Norm: 5.00-5.60) - PO2: 12.88 KPa (Norm: 11.17-13.83) - Bicarbonate: 20 mmol/L (Norm: 22-24) - Total CO2: 21 mmol/L (Norm: 23-25) - Base Excess: -2.6 mmol/L (Norm: -2.00-2.00) - O2 Saturation: 98% I recognize that the elevated pH is a result of the diminished pCO2. However, is it typical to see such irregular results at this stage? Will these values likely normalize over time? The A-a gradient is measured at 18 mmHg, while the expected maximum is 6 mmHg, indicating that oxygen transfer from the lungs to the bloodstream isn't functioning optimally, despite his excellent O2 saturation. Can we anticipate any improvement through respiratory physiotherapy? 2. **Pulmonary Function Tests** - Total Lung Capacity (TLC): 5.73L (77% of normal) - Forced Vital Capacity: 3.74L (61% of predicted) - FEV1: 2.90L (56% of predicted) - DLCO: 16.32 mL/min*mmHg - KCO: 63% Given that his lungs were severely compromised with 75% infection and could only handle 10-30 mL of air at some points, I’m not too surprised by these results. Is it possible for him to achieve more typical lung function with respiratory therapy? What additional measures could assist in recovering lung capacity? 3. **Imaging Results** His pulmonary artery shows dilation; it was recorded as being 31 mm with PA:A > 1 and this condition has remained stable since his ICU admission. Additionally, he has been diagnosed with varicose bronchiectasis. While it seems the bronchiectasis may be permanent, I am keen to understand its long-term effects. Will this condition significantly hinder his quality of life, or are there effective ways to manage it and maintain control over the symptoms? I apologize for the lengthy message, but since I am overseas and was unable to join my brother at his appointment, I appreciate any insights or advice you can offer. Thank you for your assistance!
Persistent Moisture Down There
Let me provide some background... I’ve lived the single life for 26 years, but this past May, I began communicating with a guy. Although I’ve taken the pill previously, I’m currently not using any hormonal birth control. After my recent trip to London, I came back and noticed something unusual: I’ve been consistently feeling wet down there—enough to completely soak my underwear. It’s not related to discharge at all. Prior to this, I was as dry as the desert. Now, even when I'm apart from him, I continue to experience this moisture. When we first got intimate after my return from London, his first comment was about how wet I was. It’s quite embarrassing because this change happened so abruptly, and I can’t pinpoint anything I’ve done differently. Is it possible that I’m just perpetually aroused? What’s the situation here? I should mention that there’s no odor, unusual discharge, or discomfort, which reassures me that it’s not an infection or STI. Our physical encounters have been limited to fondling, with no penetrative intercourse. I really need some advice!