Watering Eyes/Winter/Raw skin - HELP!

[Gowest]

I try to ride through the winter - as we have somewhat mild winters in the southeast. I have always had trouble with my eyes watering - but now that the weather is cold - it is almost unbearable. The minute I go out - they pour - and then tears pool under the edges of my glasses on my cheeks - causing raw red painful skin!!

I do not wear contacts or Rx glasses. I have tried different types of glasses - and my eyes continue to water. I have put zinc oxide and aquaphor on my face to try to protect my skin - but I am still in pain. After riding - my glasses look as if they have been dipped in brine and allowed to dry there is so much salt on them.

Any ideas/suggestions???

[Roadtrip]

Found this, not a solution, but insightful into why it's happening.

http://www.goodhope.org.uk/Departments/eyedept/watery.htm

Sounds like you might want to talk to your dr about your problem.

Shannon

[tulip]

I have family in WNC and I would not call the recent weather "mild" in any sense. It has been very, very cold. Last year it was very cold, too.

My eyes water as well, although not as badly as yours from your description. I keep dabbing them with a bandana, and they eventually stop. I do find that putting Weleda Sea Buckthorn Oil on my face before going out in the cold really helps with the skin irritation from the cold.

[OakLeaf]

Same for me. I'm not in the cold long enough to bother, but maybe try ski/MC goggles?

[7rider]

My eyes also tear and hurt in cold weather riding.
I use something like these from Eye Rider (http://www.riderseye.com/ItemDetail.asp?c=Cat_Goggles&Style=93) (an older out of production model). They work well....as long as I'm moving. When I stop, they fog up (and the fog freezes), even with loads of Cat Crap (http://www.rei.com/product/623337) on the lenses.

I asked what folks use on Road Bike Review forums, and one guy said safety goggles from Home Depot and another said these (http://sciencekit.com/product.asp?pn=IG0026241&mr:trackingCode=A8100B8B-FDCC-DF11-9B0F-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA). Not quite sure I want to go for dork-level to that extreme. (Note...I'm looking for clear lenses, as my winter commutes tend to be in dark or failing light.

I currently have a pair of Panoptx Raptor's (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,2390M_Panoptx-Raptor-CV-Photochromic-Sunglasses-Removable-Eyecups.html) on order from STP. Hopefully, they will breathe better than the Eye Riders, not block peripheral vision like I heard MC and ski goggles do (cuz I have considered those, too), and look a little more stylish (very little, likely) than safety goggles.

Anyway...those are my options.....

[PamNY]

Watering eyes in cold weather are so annoying! Have you always had this problem, or is it a change? I had a serious eye-watering problem for years after 9/11 -- I assume exposure to the toxic dust made my eyes hypersensitive. My problem eventually resolved by itself.

Your question made me wonder if you've been exposed to unusual irritants lately.

[marni]

I have watery eyes almost all year round. Some of the time it is allergies but mostly it's just old eyes. I have found that liquid tears when I first get up in the morning helps as they have time to kick in before I ride. As far as skin chaffing- my fall back for dry skin around my eyes is vaseline heavily applied, and then trying very hard not to dry or rub.


the article about dry eyes sure had a lot of good information in it. If it doesn't resolve itself, definitely see an eye dr. as it may be an indication of something not so nice is happening.
HTH

[jessmarimba]

Mine water really badly every time I run or ride, even with sunglasses. It's so annoying because it causes my contacts to blink "out of place" and then I can't see...awful for downhills (where it's windiest and most likely to happen!)

I'd also love to know what to do about it. I can't get prescription sunglasses b/c of the lens thickness so I feel sort of trapped.

[soprano]

I second the recommendation for Vaseline or petroleum jelly on exposed skin that is likely to chap.

[Gowest]

thank you for all of the suggestions and links to information. after reading everything I do believe I have an issue with tear drainage - but from what I understand and due to my own health history - there is no mechanical (surgical) fix for me - but I can and will try some of the suggestions to minimize the discomfort and damage to my skin.

[beccaB]

I had a big problem with winter and early fall watery eyes until I got some prescription sports goggles from my eye doc. Enough air gets in that there is still air circulating, but they stop most of the wind and keep bugs out too in the spring and summer. They also stay on better than regular glasses.