Between the harsh winter winds and the dry heat radiating inside, our eyes can suddenly feel irritated and scratchy this time of year. In fact, exposure to these atmospheres can cause moisture to evaporate inside our eyes. As a result, our tear glands cannot adequately produce the fluid needed to maintain the eyes’ protective, liquid coating. The result is itchy, dry eyes that can cause pain, blurred vision, a burning sensation or even watery vision as our eyes try to compensate for the dryness.

While it is difficult to avoid dry eyes altogether during the winter months, there are several steps that you can take to ensure your eyes stay soothed while indoors this season.

Help for the home

During the frigid winter months, a home’s humidity level can easily dip below the 30-55 percent range required for our eyes to stay lubricated. Offset this dry air by using a humidifier in your home. An alternative is leaving off the exhaust in your bathroom while you shower.

Also, refrain from using a ceiling fan while sleeping at night, as drafts can also exacerbate symptoms. To keep this culprit in check, light a match in the room you are in to find where the draft is located.

Fill up on fluids

Even mild dehydration can negatively affect how dry your eyes feel, as cold temperatures can dampen the body’s thirst mechanism and artificial heat hastens tear evaporation. Keep eyes hydrated by sipping water throughout the day. Also, increase your intake of fluid-rich foods like soup, fruits and veggies. Adding a cup of hot tea or water with lemon can not only keep you cozy on a chilly day, but ensure proper hydration as well.

Nourish your body

Many clinical studies show omega-3 fatty acids, which are considered essential fatty acids, may protect adult eyes from dry eye syndrome. Omega-3s support healthy tear production and keep eyes moisturized. In addition to omega-3s, other ingredients like Vitamin A, D3, green tea and evening primrose oil can significantly accelerate the time it takes to feel relief. A formula like EyePromise EZ Tears, which contains nine soothing ingredients to target symptoms from the inside, offers rapid results with the dietary ingredients mentioned.

Watery eye help

In cold and windy conditions, many complain their eyes water more than normal. Typically the symptoms of watery eye are excessive tearing, which is made worse by being outdoors. Wearing spectacles will provide protection against the wind, even if you don’t usually wear them outdoors. In some cases, excessive watering of the eyes may be a sign of a blockage of tear ducts or infection of the eye.

If you are concerned about the health of your eyes — whether tear production is suboptimal or you suffer from watery eyes, visit your optometrist. Your eye care professional will be able to advise you on the best course of action.

*BPT

The post Winter Woes: Dry Eye more prevalent in Cold Weather appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Keep Your Little Ones Warm, Cozy and Healthy with These Cold Weather Suggestions

Baby it’s cold outside and we still have months of cold weather ahead of us! Keep your little one warm, comfortable and healthy during these cold weather months with cozy and practical items from PishPoshBaby.com, Prince Lionheart, Feltman Brothers, The Ollie Swaddle and Kinsights.com.

PishPoshBaby.com:

Your one-stop shop for everything baby, PishPoshBaby.com offers accessories to keep little ones warm on-the-go such as (pictured left to right, top to bottom) the Tivoli Couture 4 in 1 Miracle Wrap ($88.99), JJ Cole Extendable Polar Bundle Me ($119.95), JJ Cole Urban Bundle Me ($44.95), and JJ Cole Lite Bundle Me ($24.95).

Moms and dads can also keep their hands comfortable and warm with the Baby Jogger Handmuff ($39.99) from PishPoshBaby, with a super soft interior and weather resistant exterior.

PishPoshBaby.com also offers in-home accessories to keep children healthy during these cold and flu months such as (pictured top and bottom) the Crane Adorable Cool Mist Humidifiers ($44.99) available in a variety of animals so you can match your nursery or pick your kid’s favorite; and the Duux Air Humidifier Mushroom ($64.95) which also doubles as a nightlight.

Prince Lionheart:

Family owned and operated, Prince Lionheart was started with three core beliefs – quality, innovation and outstanding service – that still hold true today as a popular baby and children’s product company available in major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Toys R Us.

Household and hygiene products for your kids can be uncomfortably cold, but they don’t have to be with these handy wipes warmers that will make sure baby’s buns stay nice and warm even during diaper changes, (pictured left to right) Compact Wipes Warmer, Wipes Warmer Pop and Warmies Wipes Warmer.  

Feltman Brothers:

Feltman Brothers provides traditional heirloom baby clothes for special occasions such as holidays, christenings, newborn gifts, family or birthday parties and Sunday church wear. The brand is renowned for its timeless, classically styled, handcrafted baby designs. Feltman Brothers is a family business three generations deep with a commitment to lasting quality and a passion for creating beautiful, elegant baby fashions and gifts that are passed down from generation to generation.

Adorable handmade clothing for the winter months include sweater sets such as (pictured left to right) Boys 3 Piece Sweater Set with Grey Trim ($58.99), Newborn Heather Grey Cable Knit Sweater Set ($61.95) and Girls 3 Piece Sweater Set with Bows ($62.95).

Cardigans are a great way to keep your little one fashionable warm such as (pictured left to right, top to bottom) the Girls Pink Cardigan with Bows ($45.99), Boys Cable Knit V-Neck Cardigan ($37.99), Boy’s Hooded Cable Cardigan ($34.99) and Cardigan with Cable Rose Bullions ($35.99).

Little feet need to stay cozy and warm, too, making these knit booties perfect! (pictured left to right, top to bottom) Boys Knit Bootie with Strap ($29.95), Girls Knit Bootie with Strap ($29.95) and Grey Knit Booties ($29.95).

Little heads can also keep warm with (pictured left to right) the Crocheted Flowers Hat ($19.95) and Heather Grey Hat with Rolled Edge($19.95).

Also super snuggly and warm is the Jacquard Knit Blanket ($62.95).

The Ollie Swaddle:

Everyone loves babies, especially ones that sleep peacefully. Babies love being swaddled and sleep peacefully and longer when all snuggled up in a cozy swaddle, perfect when home furnaces are having a hard time keeping bedrooms warm. This is a win for both the parents and baby when using the award-winning The Ollie Swaddle ($48)!

The Ollie Swaddle was named after and invented for a baby boy named Oliver, a foster baby that wasn’t thriving until Ollie Swaddle founder (and his foster mom) Hindi developed The Ollie Swaddle. It improves quality and duration of sleep for all babies (including preemies and high risk), reduces fussiness and helps babies self-calm. Its elasticity allows for freedom of movement, while the opening at the bottom makes it easy to change diapers. The custom developed moisture wicking material reduces overheating promoting physiological regulation. Perfect for ages 0-4 months.

Kinsights.com:

Cold weather means lots of cold and flu going around, and you never know when or where your little one might get sick. With Kinsights, you have the ability to store and keep track of your kids’ complete medical information, in a completely secure and free manner. Both parents have quick and easy access to this information, and you can also export and print it so you can have it on hand when you’re traveling or to pass along to a sitter, grandparent, or new doctor.

Being an online community, parents can also easily get helpful advice from other parents on what to do when your kids get sick.

The post BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE! appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.