Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Sep 22, 2008 11:05 am This might be an odd question, but has anyone ever had any permanent effects or mild damage to their eyes and sinus cavities from excessive inhalation and exposure to cleaning products like White King and Domestos and Exit Mould and stuff like that?
I was cleaning my old place on Saturday for about 5 hours, and much of that was spent in a fairly smallish bathroom, scrubbing and cleaning, and at many stages I felt quite ill and faint from the strong fumes. When I was cleaning the shower enclosure, my eyes were literally streaming down my face and stinging so much from the White King. It’s now 3 days later and my eyes are still sort of pink-rimmed and the whites are a bit pink too in places, and feel quite irritated, like they’re very dry and a bit scratchy. Everything seems to be affecting them, like a windy day and bright sunlight, more than those things usually would affect them. Also, and most concerning for me, is their appearance. Besides the slight redness, they are SO incredibly puffy. It looks like I’ve been crying but I haven’t, and underneath are HUGE bags that were not there before (and I’m not tired), and my eyes actually feel like they look small, you know? I also keep sniffing constantly and my nose hurts when I breathe in cool/cold air through it. Will this go away!? I’ve never had it before! (this is precisely why I don’t ever clean or do housework!! Lol) How the hell did I become a senior member!? I know nothing! Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 2Sep 22, 2008 12:31 pm I react slightly to some cleaners, but not as bad as your reaction. My thoughts would be for you to see a Doctor. Eyes are not something you take chances with. Hope it clears up soon.
Judie Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 3Sep 22, 2008 1:06 pm Usually I’m ok. Hardly any reaction at all. My partner on the other hand gets nose issues, sinus pain, watery eyes, headaches, etc. But I don’t usually spend hours upon hours in enclosed spaces with strong bleach all around. Yuck. How the hell did I become a senior member!? I know nothing! Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 4Sep 22, 2008 1:25 pm Grace…..before I was a decorator, I used to CLEAN homes for the wealthy in Nowra!
Now this meant spending WAY too much time in showers with bleach products…… That was 15 odd years ago, too this date I have survived the fumes. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 6Sep 22, 2008 4:08 pm If you can smell the chemicals it means you're actively ingesting those molecules into the body. Sounds to me as if you've just overdosed on this stuff. The vapours may also have reacted with the fluids in your eyes, nose & airways and 'bound' there for a little while.
I am certainly no expert at all in these things, but the cause suggests a cure: An intense vapour bath - perhaps a sauna - to try to 'flush' some of the toxins out, or at least dilute them. Perhaps a mild eyewash would also be good. You should be able to get that at a chemist. Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. - Dale Carnegie Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 7Sep 22, 2008 4:48 pm Hi Grace. Perhaps you should see an optometrist to get your eyes tested. It could be that you were so engrossed in your cleaning that you were not blinking as often as you should. The fumes did not help either. This could (may or may not be your case) cause slight corneal epithelium damage which may be the reason your eyes are still sore and sensitive. Get it checked out. It is important to eliminate infections etc. If the cause is just dried eys, your eyes should heal in a couple of days, perhaps get some saline drops from chemist to lubricate your dry eyes until it is better. Good luck. Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 9Sep 22, 2008 6:32 pm Used Jif without gloves once ... the skin on my hands completely peeled off over a three week period. There are reasons all those cleaning products have warnings on the label, they do have some rather nasty ingredients. I can't go anywhere near anti-mould sprays etc - instant allergic reaction (DH has to tackle those jobs! ).
Go to the doctor if you aren't feeling better tomorrow. Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 10Sep 22, 2008 7:55 pm When I use Domestos I end up with a runny nose and fluid in the throat. From memory, my eyes are OK. Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 11Sep 22, 2008 8:16 pm Grace - try using a lubricating eye drop such as "Refresh" or "Systane" form an optometrist or pharmacy. (About $10)
Use every couple of hours for a couple of days. If not better, make a time to see an optometrist - usually bulk billed to medicare. Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 12Sep 23, 2008 12:54 pm Thanks for all the helpful advice and your own experience.
I feel ok…my eyes feel a lot more normal and less sleepy/puffy/pink today. I think they’re still a bit pink though…I will definitely get some eye drops today. That’d be really good I think. I know those cleaning things say to wear a mask and eye wear and stuff and obviously gloves (which I did wear), but you know…I’ve never had issues before so didn’t really think this would be any different. I apparently used 2/3 of a big bottle of White King extra strength…no wonder I had some adverse effects! Lol I hope my brain isn’t damaged. How the hell did I become a senior member!? I know nothing! Re: Permanent eye damage from cleaning products?! 14Sep 23, 2008 3:57 pm 2/3 of a bottle in one small bathroom? Wow, you must be very clean! Make sure you stick with non-medicated lubricants and not the ones that make your eyes white! Glad to hear it is getting better. I thought this would be a popular question but I haven't been able to find any similar posts. Perhaps I'm wording my searches wrong? When you have car insurance and the… 0 6604 there was an event. The question is whether the builder had the insurance and whether the event was covered. The workmanship is a separate conversation. 10 23716 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair The workmanship is lifetime guarantee by "the insurer", not the builder. They will of course ask the initial builder to rectify and if they don't they will appoint… 7 5022 |