During the cold winter months, we stock up on heavier than usual moisturizers because the weather can destroy our skin if we don’t. But, what about our eyes? You can’t really moisturize them as easy as you do your skin, and the winter weather can leave you with seasonal dry eyes. There are actually a couple of things that you can do in order to get rid of your itchy sticky eyes that are very common during the cold winter months.
If your eyes start tearing up when you go outside, you’re not alone. The cold winds, mixed with the warm dry heat from the furnace can cause your eyes to dry out quickly. This is because our tear glands can’t produce enough fluid to maintain enough moisture for such conditions.
How To Avoid Dry Eyes
Drink More Water
In the summer the hot weather forces you to drink something refreshing, but in the winter when we’re constantly cold, we don’t drink as many fluids. When you become dehydrated you can feel it in your eyes. Green tea is great for dry eyes because it’s packed with antioxidants and you can have it hot or cold.
Dry Heat: Most people put their thermostat at 68, but when the weather drops, we often raise it to 70 or even higher if we have a drafty home. That dry heat can dry out the air in your home and reduce moisture in your eyes. Get yourself a humidifier, especially in your bedroom. It will help you breathe better, and it will help with the itchy eyes.
Get 8 Hours of Sleep
If you’re waking up with crusty sticky eyes that you have to peel open, then you might be dealing with blepharitis. This happens when the tiny oil glands of the inner eyelid become inflamed. Symptoms include red, itchy eyelids that look greasy and crusty. Wash your face with warm water twice a day, which will help with the inflammation around your eyes. Also, make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep, especially if you work in front of a computer all day. Give your eyes a rest!
Wear Glasses
Many of us think that just because the days are short and it’s cloudy, that your eyes don’t suffer from sun damage. It’s actually worse because the sun reflections from the snow are actually more damaging than during a summer day. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the cold wind, which also dry your eyes.
Moisturize Your Eyes With Food
If you have trouble drinking 8 glasses of water a day, look for foods that have plenty of water. Eat tons of fruits and vegetables that you consider juicy, these not only help hydrate your eyes but are also packed with nutrients that are beneficial to your eyes. Add foods with Omega-3s, vitamin C and E, lutein, and zeaxanthin, which play a vital role in keeping your eyes healthy.