Advice PLZ!?

So this is a multi-part question. I got contact lenses for the first time in my life today (I've been wearing glasses for like 12 years). My questions are...

Are your eyes usually blood shot & irritated when you first get them? I expected some irritation.. but I didn't expect my eyes to get so blood shot. If so.. is there any kind of eye drops out there that will help sooth it (my optometrist gave me some but my eyes are still irritated)?

This part is for ladies... I have nails and though it wasn't easy putting them in, I never expected it to be so hard taking them out... any advice?