ChilliFacts

What to do if you get chilli in your eye

Rinse the eye immediately with plenty of clean, room-temperature water for at least 15 to 20 minutes, and take out contact lenses. Do not rub it. If pain, redness, blurred vision or tearing continue an hour after you start rinsing, or symptoms are severe, get an urgent eye exam or emergency care.

Checked October 20, 2026 · How we source facts

What happens

If pepper juice gets into the eye, it can cause intense pain, tearing and redness [3]. Capsaicin, the irritant in hot peppers and in pepper spray, is familiar to anyone who has touched their eyes after cutting a pepper [2].

First aid: rinse right away

Poison Control says to start rinsing immediately, because every second matters with substances splashed in the eye [1]. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises flushing with plenty of clean water, and lists eyewash, saline solution or running tap water as options [4].

  1. Take out contact lenses before rinsing [1].
  2. Rinse with room-temperature water [1]; the NHS advises clean water that is not hot [6].
  3. Adults and older children can rinse in the shower; let the water hit the bridge of the nose and run gently into the eyes [1].
  4. Keep blinking while rinsing [1].
  5. Rinse for at least 15 to 20 minutes [1][5].
  6. Do not touch, rub or press on the eye [4].
  7. After rinsing, rest the eye and contact a poison centre for advice [1].

Contact lenses and glasses

Remove contact lenses before rinsing [1]. For pepper spray, Poison Control advises throwing the exposed lenses away and washing glasses with soap and water [2].

Do not wear contact lenses again until the eye is better [6]. If your eyes are very red, painful or watery while you wear lenses, remove them and call your eye doctor [7].

Prevention

Do not touch your face or eyes after preparing hot peppers, and wear gloves while working with them [3]. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them before handling contact lenses [7].

What doesn’t work

  • Rubbing the eye [4].
  • Rinsing with hot water; use clean, room-temperature water [1][6].
  • Putting contact lenses back in before the eye has recovered [6].
  • Waiting to see if it passes before rinsing; start immediately [1].

Questions

Should I use milk to rinse my eye?

The medical sources say to rinse with clean water or saline. None of them recommend milk.

How long should I rinse?

At least 15 to 20 minutes, according to Poison Control. The NHS advises at least 20 minutes of running water.

Do I take my contact lens out first?

Yes. Poison Control says to remove contact lenses before rinsing, and its pepper spray guidance says to throw exposed lenses away.

Can I use saline instead of tap water?

Yes. The American Academy of Ophthalmology lists eyewash, saline solution or running tap water.

When is it an emergency?

Go for an urgent eye exam if symptoms last an hour after rinsing starts, and go straight to emergency care if symptoms are severe or vision changes.

More guides

Sources

  1. National Capital Poison Center (Poison Control): Rinse immediately, room-temperature water, at least 15 to 20 minutes, shower and bridge-of-nose method, blink, remove lenses first, contact poison centre, one-hour rule, go to ER if severe.
  2. National Capital Poison Center (Poison Control): Capsaicin is the irritant in peppers and pepper spray; discard exposed contact lenses; wash glasses; seek immediate evaluation for persistent eye pain or breathing problems.
  3. National Capital Poison Center (Poison Control): Pepper juice in the eye causes intense pain, tearing and redness; irrigation first; do not touch face or eyes; wear gloves.
  4. American Academy of Ophthalmology: Flush with plenty of clean water; eyewash, saline or running tap water; do not touch, rub or apply pressure.
  5. American Academy of Ophthalmology: Hold the eye open under running water for 15 minutes after a harsh chemical.
  6. NHS (UK National Health Service): Clean water, not hot, at least 20 minutes; no contact lenses until better; emergency symptoms; seek advice if not better after 24 hours or for a child.
  7. American Academy of Ophthalmology: Wash and dry hands before touching lenses; remove lenses and call an eye doctor if eyes are very red, painful or watery.