Getting semen in the eye can be quite painful, but it’s not usually harmful. It’s important to rinse out the eyes as soon as possible with clean, cool water.
It’s also worth noting that semen can carry STIs such as herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, so this is one of the reasons it’s good to practice safe sex and use protection.
Burning
It’s not a pleasant experience when semen, which is also known as cum, gets in your eye. It stings and burns, which can make you think that you’re dealing with a serious issue like blindness. However, a little bit of semen in the eye is pretty normal and should not cause long-term damage, a doctor tells SELF.
In fact, it’s a natural reaction to get something like this in your eye because it contains components like sugars, enzymes, and acids that irritate fragile ocular tissue. The body’s natural response is to swell and protect the area, which can lead to itching, pain, watery eyes, and even blurry vision.
If you have sperm in your eye, the first thing you should do is rinse it out as soon as possible. Use cool, clean water that is not flavored or sparkling. You can also use a sterile eyewash made of pure, fresh water. It’s also a good idea to wash your hands immediately after touching your eye. This can help prevent STIs, including herpes, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
Itching
Getting semen (or cum) in your eye can be extremely uncomfortable. This is why it’s important to flush your eyes with water immediately, and not rub them. Rubbing can actually aggravate the condition by adding more dirt and bacteria to the eye.
When you get sperm in your eye, you may notice that your eyes are irritated and itching. This is because your body is trying to protect the eye with a flurry of protective tears.
The itchiness usually subsides after a few hours, but it’s important to watch out for signs of a longer-lasting problem. If your eyes remain irritated for more than 24 hours, you should see a doctor.
It’s possible to contract sexually transmitted diseases like herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV through the eyes. This is because the eye’s delicate mucus membrane can be a breeding ground for germs. However, it is more common to contract these infections through direct contact with bodily fluids. Practicing safe sex and getting regular STD testing is the best way to prevent this from happening.
Swelling
If you get semen (also known as cum) in your eye, the first thing to do is rinse it out as quickly as possible. It’s best to have a bottle of cool, clean water or saline solution handy to flush out your eye, explains Tanginika Cuascud, M.D., a clinical sexologist and educator at Texas Sexual Health. Rinsing your eye ASAP will reduce the chances of the foreign substance sticking around, which could lead to a more serious infection or STI, like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Semen contains components like sugars, acids and enzymes that can irritate delicate eye tissue, so when it gets in your eyes, you might experience a burning sensation or itching. Your instinct may be to rub your eye, but resist the urge. “Rubbing can only make the situation worse by rubbing the mucus mixture of salts, sugars and proteins deeper into your eye,” says Cooper. You can also try a warm compress or eye drops. If symptoms persist, see a doctor to prevent any infection or STIs. They can help identify the cause of your eye irritation and recommend treatment if necessary.
Discharge
There’s no need to panic if you’ve got semen in your eye, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, rinsing your eyes with clean water is key to preventing infection. You should also avoid using soap, as it can irritate the sensitive area.
The stinging and burning you’re experiencing is totally normal, since your delicate eye tissue can be very easily irritated. Semen contains a number of components that act as irritants, including acids, zinc, chlorine, sugars, and enzymes. Your body’s natural response is to send inflammation into the area, which leads to burning and redness, says urologist Ryan Berglund, M.D.
You may also develop a stye, a painful bump that looks like a pimple on the outside of your eyelid. Styes are usually triggered by Staphylococcus bacteria, which can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll get an STI or HIV infection through semen-to-eye contact (though there has been one case of this happening). Instead, the most likely cause of infection is from chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis bacteria.
Vision Problems
Getting semen, also known as cum or come, in the eye can be a frightening experience. It stings and burns, causing you to fear permanent damage or infection. However, most of the time it’s not a problem and symptoms go away on their own.
If you do happen to get sperm in your eye, rinse the area immediately, says Tanginika Cuascud, M.D., a clinical sexologist and educator for Texas Sexual Health. Remove your contacts if you wear them, and splash water or saline solution in the affected eye for 30 to 60 seconds. Then, blot the eye dry with a tissue or cloth and re-insert your contact.
Although it is rare, getting sperm in the eye can lead to chlamydial conjunctivitis, a sexually transmitted disease that causes red eyes and discharge. It can also lead to other STIs, such as gonorrhea and herpes, which could also affect the eye, especially if left untreated. This is why it’s important to practice safe sex and always use protection during sexual activities. These methods can help reduce the risk of STIs, including HIV.
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