How does a cold affect your eyes. What causes excessive tearing during illness. Can flu symptoms impact your vision. Why do eyes produce more tears when you’re sick. Is eye watering a common cold symptom.

The Connection Between Colds and Watery Eyes

When you’re battling a cold or flu, you might notice your eyes watering more than usual. This ocular symptom is closely linked to the overall effects of these respiratory infections on your body. But what exactly causes this increased tear production?

Inflammation and Irritation

During a cold or flu, your body’s immune response triggers inflammation in various areas, including the nasal passages and surrounding tissues. This inflammation can extend to the tear ducts and lacrimal glands, leading to increased tear production and drainage issues.

Nasal Congestion’s Role

Nasal congestion, a hallmark of colds and flu, plays a significant role in eye watering. How does this work? The nasolacrimal duct, which normally drains tears from your eyes into your nose, can become blocked due to swelling and excess mucus. This blockage causes tears to back up and overflow from your eyes.

The Science Behind Tear Production During Illness

Understanding the mechanisms of tear production helps explain why your eyes water more when you’re sick. The lacrimal glands, responsible for tear production, can become overactive during a cold or flu.

Types of Tears

There are three main types of tears:

• Basal tears: These constantly lubricate and protect your eyes
• Reflex tears: Produced in response to irritants
• Emotional tears: Released during strong emotions

During a cold or flu, your eyes may produce more reflex tears as a response to the increased irritation and inflammation.

The Lacrimal System

The lacrimal system consists of:

1. Lacrimal glands: Produce tears
2. Tear ducts: Drain excess tears
3. Nasolacrimal duct: Connects tear ducts to the nose

When you have a cold, this entire system can be affected, leading to increased tear production and impaired drainage.

Viral Impact on Ocular Health

Viruses responsible for colds and flu can directly affect your eyes, causing various symptoms beyond just watering. These may include redness, itching, and a gritty sensation.

Viral Conjunctivitis

In some cases, the same viruses causing your cold or flu can lead to viral conjunctivitis, commonly known as “pink eye.” This condition inflames the conjunctiva, the thin membrane covering the white part of your eye and inner eyelid, often resulting in increased tear production.

Distinguishing Between Cold-Related and Allergy-Induced Watery Eyes

It’s crucial to differentiate between watery eyes caused by a cold and those resulting from allergies. While both can cause excessive tearing, there are key distinctions in accompanying symptoms and duration.

Cold Symptoms vs. Allergy Symptoms

Cold-related watery eyes often come with:

• Nasal congestion
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Fatigue

Allergy-induced watery eyes typically involve:

• Itching
• Sneezing
• Clear nasal discharge
• No fever or body aches

Managing Watery Eyes During a Cold or Flu

While watery eyes can be uncomfortable, there are several strategies to manage this symptom and provide relief during your illness.

Hydration and Eye Care

Staying well-hydrated helps maintain overall eye health and may reduce irritation. Applying a warm compress to your eyes can help soothe discomfort and potentially improve tear drainage.

Over-the-Counter Solutions

Artificial tears can help lubricate your eyes and wash away irritants. Decongestants may also provide relief by reducing nasal congestion and subsequently improving tear drainage.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While watery eyes during a cold are usually not a cause for concern, certain situations warrant a visit to your healthcare provider or eye doctor.

Red Flags

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Severe eye pain
• Vision changes
• Thick, colored discharge from the eyes
• Symptoms persisting well after other cold symptoms have resolved

Prevention and Long-Term Eye Health

Maintaining good overall health and hygiene practices can help prevent colds and flu, thereby reducing the likelihood of experiencing associated eye symptoms.

Hygiene Practices

To protect your eyes during cold and flu season:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Avoid touching or rubbing your eyes
• Use clean tissues to wipe your eyes
• Replace eye makeup regularly to prevent bacterial growth

Understanding the connection between colds, flu, and watery eyes can help you better manage these symptoms and maintain ocular health. Remember, while watery eyes can be bothersome, they’re often a sign that your body is working to protect your eyes during illness. If you have concerns about persistent or severe symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment options.

The Immune System’s Role in Ocular Symptoms

The immune system plays a crucial role in your body’s response to colds and flu, including the impact on your eyes. When you’re sick, your immune system releases various chemicals and compounds to fight off the invading virus. This immune response can inadvertently affect your eyes, leading to increased tear production.

Cytokines and Inflammation

Cytokines, small proteins released by immune cells, are key players in the body’s inflammatory response. During a cold or flu, these cytokines can cause inflammation in the eye area, potentially leading to increased tear production and other ocular symptoms.

Histamine Response

While more commonly associated with allergies, histamine release can also occur during viral infections. This can contribute to eye irritation and watering. Understanding this mechanism helps explain why some cold and flu symptoms mimic those of allergies.

The Impact of Dehydration on Eye Health During Illness

Dehydration is a common concern during colds and flu, as fever and reduced fluid intake can lead to a decrease in overall body hydration. This state of dehydration can significantly affect your eyes and contribute to various ocular symptoms.

Tear Film Composition

The tear film covering your eyes consists of three layers:

1. Lipid (oil) layer
2. Aqueous (water) layer
3. Mucin layer

Dehydration can disrupt the balance of these layers, potentially leading to dry eyes or paradoxically, excessive tearing as your eyes try to compensate.

Electrolyte Balance

Proper electrolyte balance is crucial for maintaining healthy tear production and composition. During illness, especially if accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea, electrolyte imbalances can occur, affecting tear quality and quantity.

Long-Term Effects of Frequent Colds on Ocular Health

While most colds and their associated eye symptoms are temporary, frequent or prolonged infections may have longer-lasting effects on your ocular health. Understanding these potential impacts can help you take proactive steps to protect your vision.

Chronic Dry Eye Risk

Repeated viral infections that affect the eyes may increase the risk of developing chronic dry eye syndrome. This condition can lead to persistent discomfort and may require ongoing management.

Lacrimal System Changes

Frequent inflammation of the lacrimal system due to recurrent colds could potentially lead to structural changes over time. These changes might affect tear production or drainage efficiency, although more research is needed to fully understand the long-term implications.

Nutritional Considerations for Eye Health During Illness

Your diet plays a significant role in maintaining overall health, including the health of your eyes. During a cold or flu, certain nutrients can be particularly beneficial in supporting ocular health and potentially alleviating symptoms.

Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene

Vitamin A is essential for eye health and immune function. Foods rich in vitamin A or its precursor, beta-carotene, include:

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Spinach
• Egg yolks

Incorporating these foods into your diet during illness may support overall eye health.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce eye irritation. Sources include:

• Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel)
• Flaxseeds
• Chia seeds
• Walnuts

Consider including these in your diet to support ocular health during and after illness.

The Role of Sleep in Ocular Recovery

Adequate sleep is crucial for overall recovery from colds and flu, and it plays a specific role in ocular health. During sleep, your eyes undergo important restorative processes that can help alleviate symptoms and promote healing.

Tear Production During Sleep

While you sleep, your eyes continue to produce tears, but at a reduced rate. This period of lower tear production allows the ocular surface to rest and recover from the day’s irritations. For those experiencing excessive tearing due to a cold, sleep can provide a welcome respite.

Cellular Repair

Sleep is a crucial time for cellular repair throughout the body, including the eyes. During deep sleep stages, your body increases production of proteins necessary for cell growth and repair, which can aid in healing any inflammation or irritation in the eye area caused by your cold or flu.

Environmental Factors Affecting Eye Symptoms During Illness

Your environment can significantly impact your eye symptoms when you’re battling a cold or flu. Understanding and modifying these factors can help alleviate discomfort and promote faster recovery.

Indoor Air Quality

Dry indoor air, often exacerbated by heating systems during colder months, can worsen eye irritation and watering. Consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air, which can help soothe irritated eyes and nasal passages.

Screen Time and Eye Strain

When you’re sick, you might find yourself spending more time in front of screens for entertainment or work. This increased screen time can lead to digital eye strain, potentially worsening existing eye symptoms. Remember to take regular breaks and practice the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

The Connection Between Sinuses and Eye Symptoms

The close anatomical relationship between your sinuses and eyes means that sinus issues during a cold or flu can directly impact your ocular symptoms. Understanding this connection can help you manage your symptoms more effectively.

Sinus Pressure and Eye Discomfort

Inflamed and congested sinuses can put pressure on the surrounding areas, including your eyes. This pressure can lead to eye pain, feeling of fullness, and increased tearing. Managing sinus congestion through nasal irrigation or decongestants may help alleviate these eye symptoms.

Referred Pain

In some cases, sinus pain can be referred to the eye area, causing discomfort that feels like it’s originating from the eyes themselves. This referred pain can be confusing and may lead to unnecessary worry about eye health. Understanding that the source might be your sinuses can help guide your symptom management approach.

The Impact of Medications on Eye Symptoms

Various medications used to treat colds and flu can have side effects that affect your eyes. Being aware of these potential effects can help you make informed decisions about your treatment and manage any ocular side effects effectively.

Decongestants and Eye Dryness

Oral and nasal decongestants, while effective at relieving congestion, can sometimes lead to dry eyes. This dryness might paradoxically cause your eyes to water more as they attempt to compensate. If you notice this effect, consider using artificial tears alongside your decongestant medication.

Antihistamines and Ocular Side Effects

Some antihistamines used to manage cold symptoms can cause dry eyes as a side effect. This dryness can lead to irritation and, in some cases, increased tear production as a compensatory mechanism. Balancing the benefits of antihistamines with their potential ocular side effects is important for overall comfort during your illness.

Recovery and Post-Illness Eye Care

As you recover from a cold or flu, your eye symptoms should gradually improve. However, taking care of your eyes post-illness is crucial to ensure a full recovery and prevent any lingering issues.

Gradual Return to Normal Activities

As you start feeling better, gradually increase your normal activities, including screen time and reading. This slow return helps prevent overwhelming your eyes, which may still be sensitive from the illness.

Monitoring for Persistent Symptoms

Keep an eye out for any persistent ocular symptoms even after other cold or flu symptoms have resolved. If you notice ongoing issues such as excessive tearing, redness, or discomfort, it may be worth consulting an eye care professional to rule out any secondary complications.

Future Research and Developments

The field of ocular health in relation to respiratory infections is continuously evolving. Ongoing research aims to better understand the mechanisms behind eye symptoms during colds and flu, as well as develop more targeted treatments.

Potential New Treatments

Researchers are exploring new treatments that could more effectively manage ocular symptoms during respiratory infections. These might include:

• Specialized eye drops that target inflammation
• Nasal sprays designed to improve tear duct function
• Novel antiviral medications with fewer ocular side effects

Staying informed about these developments can help you access the most effective treatments as they become available.

Preventive Strategies

Future research may also focus on developing strategies to prevent ocular complications during colds and flu. This could include:

• Nutritional approaches to boost ocular immunity
• New types of protective eyewear for daily use
• Advanced hygiene protocols to reduce virus transmission to the eyes

These preventive measures could significantly reduce the impact of respiratory infections on eye health.

Understanding the complex relationship between colds, flu, and your eye health empowers you to better manage your symptoms and protect your vision. Remember, while watery eyes and other ocular symptoms during illness can be uncomfortable, they’re often temporary and manageable with proper care. If you have concerns about persistent or severe symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek professional medical advice. By staying informed and proactive about your eye health, you can ensure your eyes remain healthy and comfortable, even when battling a cold or flu.

Why Do My Eyes Water in Cold Weather

The cold weather months bring snow, sleet, and dry air. Winter walking, skating, and other outdoor activities often come with watery eyes that make your eyes red, makeup smudge, and make you look sad when you’re not.

An eye exam can ease your eye health concerns, but watering eyes are typical in cold weather. As counterintuitive as it sounds, your eyes water when they’re too dry. Dry eyes lead to your tear glands producing extra lubrication. The winter months bring the perfect storm of factors to make your eyes water.

What Causes Your Eyes to Water in Cold Weather?

Watery eyes are commonly caused by windy days and cold, dry air that dehydrates your eyes. As your eyes become overly dry, your tear glands will work overtime to produce excess tears. Instead of just lubricating your eyes, tears can fall when your tear ducts are overwhelmed. Even though you’re not sad, your tear glands might make it look like you are. Like a furnace, they cannot turn off right away.   

Outdoor conditions aren’t the only reason your eyes water in cold weather. Chilly conditions tempt you to blast the heat in your car or home furnace, producing the dry air it takes to irritate your eyes. This irritation can manifest in spontaneous watering eyes and trigger your tear glands  to overproduce lubrication.

As annoying as it can be, watery eyes can sometimes indicate your eyes are healthy. It’s a sign that your tear glands are working as they should and creating the excess lubrication your eyes need as moisture evaporates in cold air.

In other cases, watery eyes can be caused by dry eye disease. When you’re suffering from dry eye disease, watery eyes mixed with other symptoms such as redness, eye fatigue, scratchiness, or pain. Too many tears can indicate issues with your tear film, requiring artificial tears or medicated eye drops to ease the symptoms. 

How to Prevent Watery Eyes in Cold Weather?

Running for tissues to combat watering eyes can leave them red and irritated. Preventing watering eyes before they create real tears is the key to overcoming cold weather waterworks.

Wear Glasses

Wearing your glasses and sunglasses in the winter is a simple method to create a barrier between your eyes and the wind. It keeps the humidity between your eyes and lenses contained, so your eyes don’t become overly dry. Contact lenses can also dry out your eyes, so swapping them for your glasses on cold days tends to be beneficial for your eye health. You can also wear sunglasses over your contacts lenses. 

Just like with snowboarding and skiing, all winter sports, like snowshoeing and winter hiking benefit from eye protection goggles to prevent eye-watering, irritation and U.V damage.

Add Moisture

It may seem odd to add moisture to eyes that are already watering, but because dry eyes are the cause, eye drops can stop your eyes from producing excess water. Before you go out into the windy, snowy cold, a few drops can keep the surface of your eyes lubricated.

You can also add humidifiers to your indoor spaces to keep moisture in the air. It will counteract the drying effects of your furnace on cold days and promote natural lubrication of your eyes.

​​Tips to Take Care of Your Eyes in the Winter

 In the winter, your eyes need special care. Some tips to keep your eyes extra safe in winter include:

• Keep your eyes safe from snow-related damage and scratches. Shards of icy snowflakes can scratch the cornea.
• Despite the festive season, don’t share mascara or eyeliner with anyone. The risk of spreading bacteria is not worth flawless makeup.
• Don’t be afraid to blink excessively. Your eyes are trying to find the right balance of moisture, and blinking is the best way to lubricate your eyes.

Should You See an Optometrist for Watery Eyes?

If you notice your eyes water in cold weather with no other irritation or symptoms, your eyes are likely trying to prevent your eyes from getting overly dry.

If you’re noticing that your eyes are persistently watering, regardless of the environmental conditions, you may be experiencing epiphora––which is the scientific term for tearing or watery eyes.

Epiphora

When the tear film can’t drain properly, or there is an overproduction of tears, you can experience watering eyes. There’s a balance between healthy tears that keep the eye’s surface healthy and too much tearing that negatively affects your vision.

People who develop consistent watering eyes may notice other symptoms, including:

• Redness in the eyes
• Swelling
• Blurred vision
• Eye fatigue
• Mucus around or in the eyes
• Difficulty wearing contact lenses

In cold, windy weather, these symptoms can intensify.

These indicators of watering eyes can be uncomfortable, and you may notice difficulty when driving at night and more sensitivity to screens or other lights. These markers are a sign that you need to see an optometrist.

Dry Eye Disease

When your eyes are overwatering, it’s a common sign of dry eye disease. Your eyes are trying to lubricate themselves by flooding with tears. It indicates a problem with your tear film where your tear layers are out of balance. Your tear film can be affected by:

• Too much exposure to screens
• Poorly fitted contact lenses
• Eyelid inflammation
• Certain prescription medication
• Ocular surgery 
• Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD)

Dry eye disease is common, but you don’t have to live with it. Detail your symptoms to your optometrist to start treating dry eye disease and stop your eyes from overwatering. 

Still Experiencing Watering Eyes?

If you’re concerned about watering eyes in cold weather or any other season, York Mills Eye Care can thoroughly examine your eyes and tear ducts to get to the root of your concerns. Book an appointment with our team to discuss your eye health and learn how to keep your eyes at their best in cold weather.

Winter Eye Blues: How to Protect Your Eyes from the Cold

Winter eye care tips by Donald McCormack, M.D.

Boulder Medical Center

Frigid temperatures and seasonal winter weather have finally settled into Boulder County. Along with Colorado’s beautiful winters come the risk that dropping temperatures, harsher winds, and dryer air will negatively impact our eyes’ health. Bright sun, reflective snow, and traveling to higher elevations also present unique challenges. That’s why it’s important to pay special attention to eye health during the colder months.

Here are the most common problems, along with tips to help you take good care of your eyes this winter.

Dry eyes in winter

Remember that kids need eye protection too!

Tears are a mixture of water, fatty oils, and mucous that provide a protective layer on our eyes’ surface. Although our eyes are constantly producing tears, the tears also naturally evaporate. When this cycle is balanced, our eyes function perfectly and feel fine. However, in winter, cold air holds less water than warm air, so dry eyes are more common. Wind can increase evaporation too. This is why almost everyone will experience eye irritation on the coldest days for these reasons. Symptoms of dry eyes can include redness, itchiness, burning, stickiness, and a foreign body sensation in the eye.

Several measures can help with dry eyes:

• Purchase over-the-counter artificial tears such as Refresh and Systane. These products supplement our natural tears and can be used as often as six times a day. Some preservative-free varieties can be used even more often. Apply a drop of artificial tears before you head out into the cold and wind to help keep your eyes comfortable;
• Use humidifiers to improve your indoor environment;
• When in the home, decrease drafts, avoid fans, and direct heating vents away from your face. These solutions help decrease evaporation that occurs when air moves across the eyes;
• Avoid cigarette smoke. Smoke can increase eye irritation;
• Always wear sunglasses or ski goggles when outdoors. Be sure to retain eye moisture when outside, especially when engaging in activities where air moves quickly across your eyes, such as snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobiling;
• Decrease the amount of time you wear contact lenses.  Lenses can wick tears away from your eyes;
• For chronic or severe dry eyes, ask your ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. They are trained in a full spectrum of treatments for dry eyes, including the insertion of tear duct plugs. These tiny, biocompatible devices can be easily and painlessly inserted into your eyes to help relieve dry eyes. Read more about dry eye remedies here.

Watery eyes and cold weather

Watering eyes are common as we step outside into colder winter temperatures. When cold air causes more evaporation, our eyes are left with a thinner cushion of tears that protect the sensitive surface cells. This condition can trigger a reflex that tells the lacrimal gland (the eye gland that secretes an aqueous tear film layer) to produce extra tears. The result is that tears can flood our eyes and spill onto our cheeks.

In this case, the tearing is actually due to evaporation; treatment for watery eyes is similar to dry eyes.

Snow blindness

Prevent snow blindness by always wearing appropriate eye protection during winter sports.

Photokeratitis is the medical term for snow blindness caused by damage to the surface cells of the cornea from ultraviolet (UV) light. Although we are exposed to UV light all year, reflections from snow intensify this exposure. That’s why photokeratitis is usually seen in winter. The cornea cells have denser nerve endings than anywhere else on your body, making snow blindness extremely painful. The damage, while often temporary, can cause blurry vision. UV light can damage the retina in the back of the eye as well.

The best way to prevent snow blindness is to avoid prolonged UV exposure. All sunglasses and snow goggles sold in the United States are required to have sufficient filters that block both UVA and UVB rays. Wearing adequate protection for snow sports is extremely important.

Treating snow blindness involves rest with eyes closed for 12 to 48 hours. Your ophthalmologist can provide symptomatic and pain relief if needed.

Eyes at altitude

Traveling at higher elevations exposes our eyes to even colder temperatures and less protection from UV light. Hence, dry eyes and the risk of snow blindness increase the higher you go. If you enjoy Colorado mountain activities like skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, taking extra precautions to protect your eyes is vital.

About Donald McCormack, M. D.
Ophthalmologist

Dr. McCormack diagnoses and treats all eye diseases, prescribes eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems, and performs a wide range of clinical procedures and more complicated eye surgeries. He has special interests in treatments for dry eyes and glaucoma and has been a principal investigator in numerous clinical research trials for these conditions.

Originally from Ames, Iowa, Dr. McCormack has been with the Boulder Medical Center since 1993. Here is a partial list of the services he provides:

• Complete eye exams for adults and children
• Cataract Surgery — standard, toric, and multifocal lenses
• Glaucoma — medical and laser treatments
• Diabetes — retinal laser surgery
• Dry Eyes — medical treatments and punctal plugs
• Glasses and Contact Lenses

Click here for Dr. McCormack’s full profile

Watery eyes with colds and runny nose: causes, treatment 02 Colds are accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms.

A person has a stuffy nose, a sore throat and head, and a fever. In addition, the patient often has watery eyes during a cold. The cause of this phenomenon is considered to be swelling of the soft tissues of the nose and irritation of the tear ducts. To get rid of such an unpleasant symptom, it is necessary to comprehensively treat a cold. Do not forget that under such a symptom, not only a respiratory disease, but also a number of other diseases can be hidden.

Features of the symptom

It is worth remembering that the tear ducts are connected to the nasal passages, so any disease of the nose can also affect the visual organs. With a runny nose, the mucous membrane swells strongly and moisture from the eyes cannot normally be released through the lacrimal canals, so it simply flows out of the corners of the eyes.

Such a disorder is often accompanied by pain and pain in the eyes, and photophobia often occurs. Constantly moist eyes are an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. If they begin to multiply on the mucous membrane of the eyes, then conjunctivitis develops. In this case, the use of antibacterial drugs is indispensable.

Why the eyes are watery

Tearing of the eyes with a runny nose is easily explained, due to swelling of the tissues of the nose, the normal discharge of tear fluid is disturbed. But the cause of such an unpleasant phenomenon can be a number of other diseases, some of which are somewhat reminiscent of a cold with symptoms.

Allergic rhinitis

Very similar to the common cold allergic rhinitis. In this case, a person has a scratchy throat and a strong flow from the nose. The patient often sneezes, his eyes become red and constantly watery.

Allergies can be triggered by certain foods, household dust and animal hair. Sometimes a person does not understand where his allergy came from, even without taking into account that he sleeps on a down pillow, and down is a great allergen.

Vasoconstrictor drops can also provoke an allergic reaction, especially if they are used very often. To avoid such a complication, such drops should be used no longer than 2-3 days.

Treatment of allergic rhinitis should begin with the elimination of any contact with allergens. Reception of antihistamine preparations is shown.

Conjunctivitis

An infectious disease such as conjunctivitis can provoke tearing. In this case, lacrimation and photophobia are also observed. Eyes hurt, they bake, pus is released from them. In the morning, the patient cannot open his eyes normally, as the eyelashes are glued together with purulent masses.

Conjunctivitis can be allergic, viral or bacterial, depending on this and prescribed treatment. With a viral and allergic form, two eyes are immediately affected, with a bacterial form of the disease, one eye is first affected, and a few days later the second.

Treatment is limited to the use of antibacterial drops and ointments. Floksal, Tobrex, Levomycetin drops and Tsiprolet will help. If several drugs are used, then the time interval between them should be at least 10 minutes.

In bacterial conjunctivitis, antibiotics should be used for at least 5 days.

Influenza and acute respiratory infections

In case of respiratory diseases, the eyes are almost always red and watery. This is due to swelling of the nasal mucosa and irritation of the eyes by pathogens. This state lasts no more than 3 days.

Conjunctivitis can become a complication of a cold, in which case the symptom persists for a longer time. A cold is accompanied by a sore throat, runny nose, fever, and frequent sneezing. The patient needs complex treatment.

Pathologies of the paranasal sinuses

Diseases of the paranasal sinuses can also cause tearing. Most often, sinusitis leads to the constant release of lacrimal fluid. In this case, the maxillary sinuses become inflamed and filled with pus, as a result of which soft tissue edema occurs and the outflow of lacrimal fluid becomes difficult.

Sinusitis and rhinitis

With sinusitis and rhinitis, the patient often has a headache, there is a feeling of pressure from the inside in the region of the bridge of the nose and near the wings of the nose. With labyrinthitis, the patient is tormented by severe headaches. These diseases are accompanied by high fever, runny nose, cough and lacrimation.

Treatment consists of taking antibacterial drugs and washing the paranasal sinuses with antiseptic solutions. In especially advanced cases, bone punching and pumping out of purulent masses are required. Then the cavity is washed with an antiseptic solution. After such an operation, the patient must be prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics, which help prevent complications.

Tumors

Cysts and polyps in the nose can provoke tearing, especially if they are located close to the tear ducts. Treatment in this case is reduced to the removal of neoplasms surgically, the operation can be done with a laser or in the classical way. This surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia.

If lacrimation persists for a long time, a complete examination is necessary. Serious diseases can be the cause of this unpleasant phenomenon.

Peculiarities and causes in a child

Other factors may also be the cause of tearing in children of different ages. This symptom can be caused by:

• Various perfumes. Strongly pungent odors can provoke the strongest lacrimation in the baby.
• Excessively dry indoor air can also cause tearing. If there is a sick child in the house, then it is necessary to monitor the humidity of the air. During the illness, the mucous membranes of the baby are already too dry, which leads to their severe irritation. To humidify the air in your home, you can use wet towels or special household humidifiers.
• Foreign objects in the nose or eyes. In this case, the baby also sheds abundant tears. When a foreign body enters the eye, reddening of the mucous membrane and severe pain in the eyeball are observed. If some small object got into the nose, then more often there is lacrimation from both eyes at once and severe lacrimation.

In infants, watery eyes may be caused by an allergy to formula milk or complementary foods. Most often, such an allergy occurs with skin rashes like urticaria.

When to see a doctor

In some cases, you should not delay in going to the doctor, as there is a risk of serious complications. Only a specialist can accurately diagnose and prescribe treatment. A doctor’s examination is necessary in the following cases:

• If a cold is accompanied by a high temperature that does not go well or lasts more than 5 days in a row.
• If, in addition to tearing, there is skin itching and soft tissue swelling.
• If there is a suspicion that a foreign body has entered the nose or eye. In many cases, without the help of a doctor is not enough.
• If the patient’s condition worsens every minute.
• With suppuration from the eyes, and if in the morning the eyelashes stick together in purulent masses.
• If there is a feeling of pressure in the face or migraines are frequent.

In any case, it is necessary to see a doctor if a young child is ill. In children, colds are often complicated by bronchitis and pneumonia, which is explained by the special structure of the respiratory organs.

Treatment

In order to quickly and effectively cure colds, you should strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations. Do not try to treat only lacrimation, with a cold this will not work. You can treat colds with medicines and traditional medicine. At the same time, the latest methods only complement traditional treatment. The patient can be prescribed:

• Antiviral drugs – Groprinosin, Anaferon, Amizon and Viferon.
• Immunomodulatory drugs – tincture of Echinacea purpurea and medicines based on this medicinal herb.
• Antipyretics – Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

If a cold has a complication in the form of otitis media, conjunctivitis, bronchitis or other infectious diseases, then systemic antibiotics are indicated. In such cases, tablets and syrups are often prescribed, only injections are indicated for severe infections.

Time-tested traditional medicine recipes are good for colds:

• Linden tea. Helps to lower the temperature. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. It is recommended to drink linden decoction with the addition of a teaspoon of honey.
• Tea from raspberry twigs lowers the temperature well.
• With severe lacrimation or the first signs of conjunctivitis, it is recommended to wash the eyes with a concentrated decoction of chamomile or sage. For each eye should take a separate cotton swab.
• Rubbing. Various rubbing will help to quickly cure colds. To do this, it is good to use goat, badger or bear fat.

It should be borne in mind that the patient must not be rubbed at a high temperature, otherwise the condition will worsen significantly.

Eyes with colds are almost always watery due to a very stuffy nose. It is useless to treat the organs of vision in this case, it is necessary to eliminate the root cause of tearing. If a cold is complicated by conjunctivitis, you need to wash your eyes with antiseptic solutions. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Watery and sore eyes with a cold (what to do)

If your eyes are watery and sore with a cold, in 80% of cases it is necessary to treat first of all … a runny nose!

Cause watery and sore eyes with a cold may be sinusitis. What it is? Like many other medical terms ending in -itis, sinusitis refers to inflammation. In this case, inflammation of the sinus, and more specifically, the paranasal sinuses. As a rule, sinusitis begins with a cold or flu, when, after some time, the nasal septum swells and sputum production increases on the mucous membrane. The nasal septum swells so much that the passages to the paranasal sinuses are clogged. When phlegm and air cannot move freely between the nose and sinuses, excess pressure builds up in the sinuses. It causes pain in the frontal part of the skull, in the cheeks and upper jaw. And also around the eye sockets. That’s why the eyes hurt with a cold.

Headache and eye pain can also be caused by other causes, such as the common migraine. In this case, it passes quite quickly, within one day, and even without treatment. Whereas a headache from sinusitis lasts up to several weeks.

The reason why our eyes water when we have a cold is also quite simple – swelling of the nasolacrimal canal. The nasal canal is clogged, there is no other way for the fluid to go out, as through the lacrimal canal.

In most cases, syunsitis can be cured quite quickly and without consequences. Quite rarely, there are cases when sinusitis provokes eye diseases, despite the fact that the focus of infection is located very close to the eyes. Sinusitis is much more dangerous for the lungs and the respiratory system as a whole. Sinusitis is generally treated with antibiotics. It is customary to treat a stuffy nose with vasoconstrictor drops, for example, Naphthyzinum.