When you experience a common cold, watery eyes are a frequent symptom. Though sometimes puzzling and bothersome, this tearing is generally a normal part of the body’s response to a viral infection. Understanding why your eyes water during a cold can help.
How Colds Cause Watery Eyes
The connection between your nasal passages and your eyes is direct, largely due to the nasolacrimal ducts, often called tear ducts. These small tubes drain excess tears from the surface of your eyes into your nasal cavity. When you have a cold, the mucous membranes lining your nasal passages become inflamed and swollen, a condition known as rhinitis. This inflammation and congestion can directly affect the tear ducts, causing them to narrow or even become temporarily blocked.
As the tear ducts become obstructed, tears produced by the lacrimal glands cannot drain properly into the nose. Instead, these tears accumulate on the eye’s surface and then overflow onto your cheeks, resulting in watery eyes. The body’s immune system also responds to the viral infection by increasing tear production. This heightened tear flow acts as a natural flushing mechanism, attempting to wash away viral particles and irritants from the eye’s surface.
Sometimes, the inflammation from a cold can extend beyond the nasal passages. The conjunctiva, a thin, clear membrane that covers the white part of your eye and lines the inside of your eyelids, can also become mildly irritated. This irritation, known as conjunctivitis, can further stimulate tear production and contribute to the watery sensation.
When Watery Eyes Signal More Than a Cold
While watery eyes are a common cold symptom, there are instances when excessive tearing might indicate a different underlying issue. Allergies, for example, can cause watery eyes, often accompanied by intense itchiness, sneezing fits, and a clear, runny nasal discharge, typically following seasonal patterns or exposure to specific allergens. The itchiness is a distinguishing factor not usually prominent with a cold.
Environmental irritants can also lead to sudden watery eyes, frequently affecting one eye initially. Exposure to smoke, dust, chemical fumes, or even a foreign object in the eye can trigger an immediate, protective tearing response to flush out the offending substance. This reaction is generally localized and resolves quickly once the irritant is removed.
Conjunctivitis, commonly known as pink eye, presents with significant redness in the white part of the eye and often involves a thick discharge. This discharge can cause eyelids to stick together, especially upon waking in the morning, and may be accompanied by a gritty sensation or increased sensitivity to light. Unlike a cold, which typically resolves within a week to ten days, these specific symptoms of conjunctivitis often warrant medical attention, particularly if the discharge is yellowish or greenish, vision changes occur, or severe eye pain develops.
Tips for Eye Comfort During a Cold
Managing watery eyes during a cold primarily involves alleviating discomfort and supporting healing. Gently wiping away excess tears with a soft, clean tissue can prevent skin irritation around the eyes and provide immediate relief. It is important to avoid rubbing your eyes, as this can introduce bacteria or further irritate the delicate eye tissues.
Applying a warm, damp compress over your closed eyes for several minutes can offer comfort and help soothe any associated sinus pressure. Staying well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids supports overall bodily functions, including mucus thinning, which can indirectly help with congestion. Considering the use of over-the-counter saline eye drops can also be beneficial; these drops can help flush out any irritants and provide additional moisture to the eye surface.
Ensuring adequate rest allows your body to conserve energy and focus on fighting the infection, which can help resolve cold symptoms, including watery eyes, more quickly. Avoiding exposure to environmental irritants like cigarette smoke or strong perfumes can also prevent additional eye irritation during this time.