Sunscreen products are needed by both adults and children for skin protection against sunlight’s damaging UV rays. However, products like these do cause quite a number of burning sensations in the eyes.
Even though permanent damage will not result from getting some sunscreen in the eyes, this could still cause significant eye inflammation and burning.
If you use contact lenses, you will want to first remove them if ever sunscreen gets into your eyes. Then, use artificial tears or lubricating eye drops to flush out your eyes.
Try not to rinse your eyes using bottled or tap water. These could still have microorganisms that could cause critical infections of the eyes like Acanthamoeba keratitis. Therefore, it might be best to always have a bottle of artificial tears or sterile eyewash solution whenever you go to the beach, whether you use contacts or not.
Applying a cold wet compress over your closed eyes could also help in easing the burning sensation of sunscreen getting in your eyes.
You could also make the burning sensation ease up quicker by often (around every twenty minutes) applying a lubricating eye drop product that is preservative-free until your eyes feel better.
In addition, if you use contacts, think about changing into everyday disposable contact lenses so that you could replace the lenses right away with a fresh pair should the ones you have on become contaminated with your sunscreen.
Any sign of an eye problem should warrant a visit to your eye clinic Washington, DC for proper medical attention.