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By Adam Rosenbluth, AARP, February 2025
A doctor’s advice on what to do about dry skin, watery eyes and runny nose in colder months.
Why are my eyes and nose always watery and my skin so dry during the winter?
Ironically, the cause of watery eyes and a runny nose in cold weather is dryness. To compensate for winter’s drying conditions, glands in the nose overproduce mucus to help keep our nasal lining lubricated. A similar process happens in our eyes. When they become dry, tear glands work overtime producing excess tears. The result? We end up sniffly and weepy.
At the same time, as we age our body produces less of a natural oil called sebum, which makes it tougher for our skin to retain moisture, especially when the weather is arid. Our body is also making less collagen and elastin, the proteins that help to keep skin moist and supple.
Now that you know why your eyes and nose run like a faucet and your skin feels dry as dust, what can you do about it?
The first thing I suggest to my patients is that they drink more water. Often, when someone comes to see me complaining about a runny nose or weepy eyes, they’re dehydrated. A lot of older folks don’t drink as much water because they’re worried about having to urinate at an inconvenient time or they don’t feel the urge to drink. Even though you may not feel thirsty the way you do in warm weather, your body still needs to stay hydrated. So, please, aim for eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.
There are over-the-counter remedies you’ll find at the drug store for dry eyes, nose and skin. For instance, to keep your nasal lining moist, I suggest using a saline gel in the nose at night or a saline spray during the day. OTC artificial tears will help to keep your eyes moist. Although you can use them several times a day, I recommend you apply a couple of drops before you head outdoors, especially in cold or windy weather. Remember to wear sunglasses when you’re outside to prevent the wind and sun from further drying out your eyes,
Almost half of older adults complain about dry skin, so if that’s your problem, you’re certainly not alone. You might want to try moisturizing lotions and creams. If you do, choose those without a fragrance because they’re less likely to be irritating. Also, take fewer or shorter length baths or showers and,avoid very hot water and harsh soaps or bubble baths. All these can contribute to drying your skin.
You can try using a humidifier, an appliance that adds moisture to a room, but the machine requires you to be vigilant about its upkeep. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says you need to clean your humidifier every three days. If you neglect it, the humidifier can release bacteria and mold into the air which can cause health problems like aggravating asthma or allergies, or by contributing to other lung illnesses and flu-like symptoms.
While I’ve gone over the usual reasons for your watery eyes and nose, as well as dry skin, other factors can contribute to these conditions. For example, you could have blocked tear ducts.
Make an appointment with your eye doctor if OTC remedies aren’t helping. Medications such as statins and diuretics can dry you out, as can certain health conditions such as allergies, diabetes and kidney disease. Be sure to discuss any discomfort you’re experiencing with your physician.
On the other hand, there’s a lot to be said for the health perks of colder weather. We usually sleep better, burn more calories, have better brain function and our immune system gets a boost. With a few moisturizing measures, I hope you’ll be able to reap winter’s benefits without having to deal with its drying downside.
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