Halloween Eye Safety

Don't let your Halloween costume put your eyes at risk

(RxWiki News) Halloween is all about fun — complete with cool costumes, mountains of candy, haunted houses and trick-or-treating. So don't let potential eye dangers get in the way of all the Halloween thrills.

It's OK to wear vampire teeth, don a witch hat or practice your zombie walk, but don't put your eyes at risk this Halloween. Make sure your Halloween costume — and your child's — is as safe as it is spooky.

Dangers of Eye Makeup

Colorful makeup might make you a more convincing scary clown, but it might also endanger your eyes. Thick coats of makeup around the eyes can get into the eye during the course of a night spent trick-or-treating — or even when you're removing the makeup.

Use only makeup approved by the FDA, especially on the face or around the eyes. Always apply the makeup or face paint as directed by the label.

Even if the package has a picture of someone wearing face paint near their eyes, if the label says keep away from eyes, follow the directions.

Always test the makeup on a small area on your arm before applying it to your face, especially if you have never used the makeup before. Try the makeup for a few days and check for allergic reactions such as a rash, redness, swelling or other signs of irritation.

Remove the makeup exactly the way the label says. The label may instruct you to use cold cream, soap and water or eye makeup remover.

A Pointed Concern

If you plan to be a swashbuckling pirate or gallant knight, leave the sword at home — or settle for a fake one.

Experts recommend avoiding pointy props for your costume. If the sword is a must, make sure it's made out of soft, flexible material.

Also, be sure to include a belt carrier or protective case like a sheath in your costume. That way, you minimize the risk of accidentally poking your eye or someone else's — and you keep those candy-grabbing hands free.

Careful with Glow Sticks

Glow sticks can make Halloween night a little brighter, but misuse can make them dangerous to the eyes and skin.

First, never let your child chew on a glow stick. Glow sticks contain dibutyl phthalate, which is a mild irritant.

If the liquid from a glow stick comes into contact with the eyes, rinse the eyes immediately. If wearing contact lenses, remove the lenses and rinse the eyes with room temperature water. Continue to rinse the eyes for 15 to 20 minutes. If glow stick liquid touches the skin or gets in the mouth, rinse the liquid off or out immediately. Contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if you experience any side effects besides mild skin or mouth irritation.

Speak with your health care provider if you have any questions about keeping safe this Halloween.