What you need to know about wearing contacts when sick
Sneezing, sniffling, and congestion — oh my! When you have cold and flu symptoms, the last thing you want to do is worry about making your symptoms worse. Wearing contacts when sick may worsen redness, dryness, and other eye problems, leaving you feeling miserable. Here's what you need to know about wearing your contacts when you have a cold or flu.
Understanding contact lens use during illness
"Can I wear contacts when sick?" is one of the most common questions contact lens users ask when they feel cold symptoms coming on. But the answer may surprise you.
General guidelines
When you're ill, it's important to prioritize your eye health. After all, you only have one set of peepers, so you need to protect them from redness, swelling, and other symptoms. Whether you need to avoid contacts depends on what type of illness you have.
It's important to stop using contact lenses when you have pink eye or another type of eye infection. When you already have an infection, wearing contacts is like throwing gasoline on a fire. Every time you put your lenses in or take them out, there's a risk you'll transfer bacteria and viruses to your eyes.
Impact of cold and flu on eye health
The cold and flu causes several eye-related symptoms, such as redness, itching, blurry vision, and burning. Some people even develop eyelid swelling or sensitivity to light.
Can you wear contacts when you have a cold?
You have a little more leeway when it comes to a simple cold. Some people prefer to stop using their contacts, but you can use them safely if you take proper precautions.
Factors to consider
Comfort should be your top priority. You don't want to spend the day squinting because your eyes are itchy or irritated. Next, consider whether you're experiencing any eye discharge. If you have discharge, you may want to hold off on wearing your contacts for a few days.
Finally, think about the potential risks. When you wear contacts, cold and flu symptoms are concerning due to the risk of transferring an infection to your eyes. One infection is bad enough — you don't need a second one to ruin your day. If you're not confident in your ability to manage the infection risk, avoid contact use until you feel better.
Alternatives to contact lens use
If you decide to avoid contacts for a few days, wear glasses instead. Keeping an inexpensive pair of frames on hand is a great way to make sure you can see even when you're sick.
Should I throw away my contacts after being sick?
Post-illness lens care
Once you recover, make sure you disinfect your contacts to knock out any bacterial or viral organisms left over from your illness. You can use a multipurpose lens cleaner, or a solution made with hydrogen peroxide.
If you use the hydrogen-peroxide solution, make sure you soak your lenses in plain saline afterward. Hydrogen peroxide causes eye irritation and burning, so you need to wash it off before you use your contacts.
Evaluating lens condition
After your illness resolves, examine your contacts carefully for signs of damage. Think of yourself as a crime scene investigator looking for evidence. Watch for cracks and scratches that could allow bacteria and viruses to worm their way through your lenses and into your eyes.
Tips for contact lens wearers during illness
Hydration and lubrication
Even if wearing contacts when sick doesn't bother your eyes, you still need to support your eye health. Drink plenty of water to flush out harmful organisms and keep your immune system in fighting shape. If necessary, use lubricating eye drops to add moisture to dried-out eyeballs.
Proper hand hygiene
Even if you're feeling fine, proper hand hygiene is critical. Before you handle your contacts, wash your hands thoroughly. Sing the alphabet song while you wash to make sure you have enough time to rinse away all the germs.
Seeking professional advice
If your eye symptoms don't improve, contact an eye care professional for guidance. You may have a secondary infection or an unrelated eye problem.
Treat your eyes like royalty
Wearing contacts when sick is okay unless you have pink eye or another type of eye infection. Good hand hygiene and regular eye care can help you avoid having a minor illness turn into a major eye problem. If it's been a while since your last eye exam, schedule one as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to wear contacts if I'm taking medication for my illness?
It depends. Some medications, such as decongestants and antihistamines, cause eye dryness. If your medication has this effect, you may need to stop wearing contacts until your symptoms resolve.
Should I avoid wearing contacts if I have red or irritated eyes during illness?
Yes. If your eyes are already red or irritated, you should avoid putting in contacts until you feel better.
Can wearing contacts make my cold or flu worse?
Wearing contacts doesn't make an illness worse, but it may exacerbate your symptoms. For example, if you have watery eyes due to a cold, wearing contacts may make the watering worse.