Watery Eyes and Runny Nose – Is It a Cold or Allergy?

A runny nose is not a pleasant condition in itself: the nose is stuffy, it’s difficult to breathe, the discharge requires you to constantly keep a napkin handy... It’s even worse when a runny nose and tears appear at the same time. In this case, the state of health noticeably worsens, and for effective treatment it is necessary to find out what triggered the appearance of both symptoms at once.

The girl has a runny nose and tears

Sinus problems

Sinuses are a common problem for many of us. Is it an excess of mucus and even blood, which is in the same mucus... In addition, problems with the sinuses can manifest themselves in such phenomena as nasal congestion, headache (eyes often hurt), fever (in connection with this weakness appears) and etc. These difficulties are mainly caused by inflammation or a viral infection that blocks the nasal cavity (congestion), causing uncomfortable pain. In such cases, the body needs to do something about the disease, the most important condition for which is strong immunity, allowing the body to fight the infection as much as possible. Thus, you should pay attention to fresh and healthy food that can cover the daily requirements for vitamins and many other substances necessary for the normal functioning of the body.

Pain syndrome

The eyes appear heavy due to sinusitis, primarily due to pain. Patients describe eye pain in different ways:

  1. The pain is characterized as aching or dull.
  2. It can clearly spread to the temples and encircle the head.
  3. There may be a sensation of shooting in the eyes and transient cramping pain.

The pain is regarded as a feeling of heaviness due to increased pressure inside the eyeballs. This atypical effect affects the surrounding nerve receptors with the formation of a feeling of pain of varying intensity and color.

Most often, patients localize pain in the area of ​​the inner corners of the eyes, directly under the eyebrows. Changing the position of the head, especially with sharp bends and turns, brings increased pain, as do attacks or sneezing. Sometimes even ordinary blinking, which occurs involuntarily, brings pain to the patient. Pressure on the eyeballs becomes unbearable for patients.

In addition to pain, heaviness in the eyes is also associated with an increase in swelling under the eyes. The spread of the infectious process to the orbital area causes blood flow to the organ and its structures, causing the sclera and eyelids to turn red. This anatomical area swells due to increased sweating of plasma as an element of the anti-inflammatory fight.

Inflammation of the sinuses - what is it?

Inflammation of the sinuses, which are located near the nose, is technically called sinusitis. These sinuses are actually spaces near the nose that expand towards the cheekbones and eyebrows. These areas are lined with mucous membranes and canals. And thus they are connected to the nose. If these channels are blocked (congested), the flow of air and natural secretions also stops. Thus, inflammation is formed and pain associated with it (the head often hurts, sometimes in the area of ​​the eye or both eyes, and the back of the head also often hurts).

As a result of inflammation, the temperature rises, which in turn causes weakness and fatigue.

Fatigue

Why is my right eye watering?
The most common cause is ordinary overstrain of the visual organ. Lack of sleep can cause problems. A common factor is prolonged exposure to a computer monitor, when the membrane of the eye is not sufficiently moistened with tear fluid. If your right eye is watering due to fatigue, it is important to give your visual organs a good rest. Go for a walk, take a relaxing bath, exercise, wash your face and sleep. People who are forced to sit at a computer for hours every day should take short breaks between work and avoid eating in front of the monitor.

Why does nasal pain and stuffiness occur?

As mentioned, pain occurs when sinus inflammation flares up. Inflammation is caused by a viral infection, which can be a consequence of cold, drafts or hypothermia. It can also break out as a result of an infection in the throat or nose. Pathogenic microbes are constantly present in the mucous membranes, but make themselves felt in a situation of weakened immunity, after which they begin to multiply sharply. In addition to these reasons, inflammation can also occur due to irritation of the nasal passages.

Anti-lacrimation medications

If your eye becomes watery due to the development of an allergic reaction, doctors advise using the drug Allergodil. Antihistamine drops help eliminate the unpleasant symptom by reducing the level of capillary permeability in the structure of local tissues and suppressing the body's susceptibility to specific irritants. The medication is safe for children over 4 years of age.

Another effective remedy prescribed by ophthalmologists for the development of lacrimation is Tobrex. Eye drops produce a pronounced disinfecting effect on local tissues. It is advisable to use the drug in situations where trouble is caused by the development of conjunctivitis and other bacterial infections.

If there is eye strain or the consequences of foreign bodies getting on the mucous membranes, doctors recommend using Visin drops. The use of the medication relieves swelling and constricts blood vessels. As practice shows, lacrimation stops within the first minutes after instilling the product into the eye.

What to do?

The first aid to combat sinusitis is to humidify the indoor air. In addition, inhaling vapors from decoctions of medicinal herbs, to which you can add aromatic essential oils (menthol or eucalyptus oils are good), can come to the rescue. It is advisable to include crops containing strong aromatic substances in the diet (for example, radishes, onions, garlic, leeks and horseradish). These plants are characterized by a strong antibacterial effect. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system and consume large amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. If the problem befalls a smoker, smoking should be limited, because Nicotine narrows the conical capillaries of the nasal cavity, which reduces mucus secretion.

Sinusitis is an unpleasant phenomenon. In order to successfully avoid it, you need to strengthen your immune system every day and pay attention to a healthy diet. In addition, we should not forget about fragrant products that have an antibacterial effect. We have only one health, and it should be given due attention!

Can you feel sick with sinusitis?

If you feel sick with sinusitis, then this is not surprising. Of course, such a symptom is not the main manifestation of the disease, but it may also be present in the following cases:

  • Presence of headaches.
  • Dizziness.
  • Pressure of purulent contents on the walls of the maxillary sinuses.
  • Abrupt onset of the inflammatory process.
  • The occurrence and development of complications during sinusitis: meningitis, blood diseases, encephalitis, etc.
  • Intoxication of the body.

You should understand what caused nausea in this disease, because this can be a serious complication that will lead to dire consequences. Nausea and vomiting should never be ignored. If you have already made an appointment with an otolaryngologist, be sure to tell him about this manifestation.

The feeling of nausea with sinusitis does not always occur, but it can appear as a result of dizziness, intoxication of the body, etc.

Angina

Sore throat usually occurs in childhood. As a rule, the disease is caused by streptococci and other bacteria and viruses. Viral tonsillitis (tonsillitis) goes away within a week without treatment. Bacterial inflammation is a serious condition that requires treatment to prevent damage to other organs.

Symptoms

1. Sudden growing pain in the throat when swallowing - may radiate to the ear or eyes.

2. High fever, headache and vomiting.

3. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.

What to do with angina and complications of the disease

Strep throat is usually treated with penicillin or other antibiotics for about 10 days. Paracetamol is also suitable for reducing fever if you have a headache or a sore throat (recommended because children cannot be given Aspirin because it can cause Reye's syndrome, a rare disease that damages the liver and brain). For recurrent, chronic inflammation and swelling of the tonsils, removal of the tonsils is recommended. If left untreated, strep throat can damage the heart valves and kidneys.

Treatment of chronic sinusitis

For the purpose of treatment, the specialist opens the maxillary sinuses to remove all the pus that has formed there. Then the inflamed areas are washed with medications. The surgical process must be carried out by a surgeon in the presence of an ophthalmologist. Sinusitis with intracranial complications occurs in only 10% of people. However, the mortality rate may be about 35%, which is quite high.

If there are causes of an intracranial complication in a patient, he immediately needs hospitalization, since blood poisoning can occur, a purulent focus appears, and the meninges can become inflamed. The form of manifestation of complications is chronic gastritis, so it is best to consult a doctor at the first stage of sinusitis, rather than delaying treatment procedures. When the disease is already advanced, eliminating complications is a complex process that requires considerable resources and patience.

The eyes become heavy due to sinusitis due to the anatomical proximity of the orbital sockets and the maxillary sinuses. The inflammatory process is accompanied by many unpleasant symptoms, among which severe pain syndrome stands out. It also spreads to nearby organs, which are involved in the process with the development of complications. The feeling of heaviness in the eyes affects visual acuity, the ability to look at the light, and see in the twilight.

Flu

Influenza is one of the most common infectious diseases. Every year, 10% of the world's population is infected, and during a pandemic this number can even reach 40-50%.

Flu symptoms

The onset of the disease occurs very quickly. In the morning a person may feel good, but in the evening his whole body hurts. In the case of influenza without complications, symptoms are most evident during the first 3-5 days. They then gradually subside, but some of them, such as fatigue and weakness, can persist for up to 2 weeks.

The following symptoms indicate influenza:

1. The throat hurts very much, especially when swallowing, sometimes the pain radiates to the ears and eyes.

2. Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

3. High temperature.

4. Headache.

5. “The whole body” hurts.

6. Sometimes nasal congestion may be present.

What to do if you have the flu and its complications

Treatment of influenza involves bed rest and adequate fluid intake, as well as taking antiviral medications. If nasal congestion is present, a nasal spray (ideally with sea water, which moisturizes the mucous membrane) will help. Otherwise, the flu can lead to other serious illnesses and complications caused by either a virus or a bacterial infection. The most common complications are pneumonia, bronchitis and inflammation of the middle ear. A rare complication is inflammation of the heart muscle.

Causes of tearing

In fact, tearing of the eyes is a natural protective reaction of the body. The eyes are moisturized, which ensures:

  1. replenishment of the cornea;
  2. getting rid of pathogenic bacteria and dust particles.

Thanks to the lacrimal glands located in the corners of the eye sockets, fluid can flow to the eyeball and then be evenly distributed throughout it.
The fluid accumulates in the inner recess of the eye slits, which is called the ocular lacrimal lake. After this, the tears enter the nasal cavity. If tears flow for no apparent reason, and itching in the eyes does not go away, health problems should be suspected.

There are many reasons for lacrimation. The most common of them will be:

  • active inflammation of the nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses (sinusitis);
  • inflammatory process caused by allergens (allergic rhinitis, expressed by hay fever or an allergic reaction to irritants);
  • active inflammation of the eye membrane, provoked by viruses, infection, allergies (conjunctivitis).

Children and middle-aged people are especially susceptible to these diseases. Only a doctor can tell why problems appeared in the nose and eyes of a particular patient.

The main recommendation for those who have watery eyes and a runny nose is to try not to create excessive pressure in the nose. When blowing your nose, do not pinch both nostrils at once.

Otherwise, the infection from the nose will spread further, aggravating the situation.

Cold

The average person meets her on average once a year. In particular, the disease occurs most often in children, visiting them about 5-10 times a year. In this disease, a weakened body encounters an infectious pathogen - a virus or bacteria that affects the upper respiratory tract. The disease often occurs after hypothermia.

Cold symptoms

The first symptoms usually begin to appear within a few hours to 2 days after infection:

1. Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, lacrimation.

2. Sore throat, hoarseness.

3. Pain in the muscles or throughout the body.

4. Feeling tired, unwell.

What to do if you have a cold and its complications

It is recommended to use medications that relieve symptoms of the disease, such as headaches, sore throat, nasal congestion, and cough. If we are talking about bacterial inflammation, antibiotics are prescribed. Sometimes a bacterial infection is added to a cold, especially if the disease is not treated; In this case, the symptoms continue to debilitate the body, which then becomes less resistant to other “attacks.” Common complications of the common cold include sinusitis, tonsillitis, ear infections, bronchitis and pneumonia.

The child has watery eyes and a runny nose

If a symptom develops in a child, first of all, just like in adults, it is necessary to get rid of a runny nose.

If it is a mild cold, you can use the following medications in strict accordance with the instructions for use:

  1. Aqua Maris. The product is made from purified sea water with the addition of natural ingredients. Recommended for use in acute or chronic forms of runny nose and allergies. It can be used as a prophylactic agent during the spring flowering period of plants or during epidemics.
  2. Vibrocil. A vasoconstrictor drug that effectively fights runny nose of any origin. The product contains the active ingredients dimethindene and phenylephrine; with long-term treatment, it facilitates breathing and helps relieve swelling.
  3. Aqualor. The product is distinguished by its natural composition and inclusion of microelements such as zinc, selenium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. The drug quickly eliminates the symptoms of a runny nose and has a strengthening effect on the immune system.
  4. Otrivin. A saline solution that well moisturizes and cleanses the nasal mucosa. Can be used to treat children from the first months of life, as it does not contain potent or toxic components.
  5. Nazol. A vasoconstrictor drug based on phenylephrine. The product has an antibacterial effect and eliminates swelling of inflamed nasal mucosa.

You can also use a chamomile solution as an eye wash for children, but to prepare it, you can use half a tablespoon per glass of boiling water instead of a whole one if this composition stings the child’s eyes.

It is recommended to wash more often than adults (up to six times a day).

These symptoms cause the most problems to children and their parents who are concerned about the child’s condition.

he has a cold, allergies, adenoiditis, inflammation of the paranasal sinuses or a foreign body in the nose.

To accurately diagnose the problem, you need to know what other symptoms accompany the disease, as well as conduct a thorough examination of the baby and, if necessary, take tests and perform other studies.

If your baby has watery eyes and a runny nose

In infants there is a so-called physiological rhinitis. What does it mean? The baby's nasal passages are narrow, and the nasal cavity secretes mucus to moisturize and protect the mucous membrane.

This mucus accumulates in the nose, dries into crusts and prevents the child from breathing. In this case, there is no temperature, and the little patient is no longer worried about anything.

You can get rid of such mucus and crusts with a special children's aspirator or cotton wool pads soaked in sterile Vaseline.

What can be concluded?

During sinusitis, a person may encounter a variety of symptoms that should not be feared. Symptoms are just signs of a disease or pathological condition that will help establish an accurate diagnosis and begin the correct treatment of the disease.

It is important to seek medical help as early as possible by undergoing a full examination by an experienced ENT specialist.

At the same time, you need to remember that nausea and any other sign may indicate the presence of complications, so immediately begin treating sinusitis before it has time to ruin your mood and harm your health.

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