The common cold often brings uncomfortable symptoms, including watery eyes. This symptom leads to irritation, blurry vision, and the need for frequent dabbing. While frustrating, it is generally a harmless and temporary result of the body’s inflammatory response to the cold virus. Understanding the biological cause and applying targeted solutions can help manage this discomfort until the cold resolves.
The Biological Mechanism Behind Watering Eyes
Tears are produced by the lacrimal glands to lubricate and protect the eye’s surface. After washing across the eye, tears drain through a specialized system of channels connecting the eye to the nose. This drainage occurs via two small openings, or puncta, in the inner corners of the eyelids, which lead into the nasolacrimal duct.
The nasolacrimal duct, or tear duct, travels down the side of the nose and empties into the nasal cavity. When a cold virus causes inflammation, the tissues lining the nasal cavity and the duct itself begin to swell. This swelling effectively pinches the duct shut, creating a temporary blockage.
Since the tears cannot drain through the blocked duct, they back up and overflow onto the cheek. This overflow is the watery eye symptom accompanying nasal congestion. The tears are not overproduced; the drainage system is temporarily disabled by the surrounding inflammation.
Immediate At-Home Methods for Relief
Addressing swelling and congestion in the nasal passages is the primary strategy for relieving watery eyes. A warm compress applied around the nose and eyes can help reduce inflammation and soothe the affected tissues. Soak a clean cloth in warm water, wring out the excess, and rest it over the closed eyes for five to ten minutes to encourage drainage.
Maintaining high environmental humidity helps thin the thick mucus contributing to duct blockage. Using a cool-mist humidifier, especially while sleeping, adds moisture to the air and reduces irritation in the nasal passages. Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or clear broths, also helps keep the body hydrated and thins mucus consistency.
Gentle nasal irrigation is a highly effective method for physically clearing the nasal passages, reducing pressure around the tear duct opening. Devices like a neti pot or squeeze bottle use a sterile saline solution to flush out mucus and inflammatory agents. Use only distilled, sterile water, or boiled and cooled tap water, to prevent serious infection risks. When wiping overflow from the eye, use a clean tissue and gently dab rather than rubbing, which can irritate the delicate skin.
Over-the-Counter Treatment Options
Pharmacological treatments focus on reducing the systemic inflammation and congestion causing the duct blockage. Oral decongestants, such as those containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, work by constricting blood vessels throughout the nasal lining. This action reduces swelling in the nasal passages, relieving pressure on the nasolacrimal duct and allowing tears to drain properly.
Topical nasal decongestant sprays, like those containing oxymetazoline, provide fast and targeted relief by narrowing blood vessels directly in the nose. These powerful sprays should not be used for more than three consecutive days. Prolonged use can lead to rhinitis medicamentosa, or rebound congestion, where the nasal passages swell more severely when the medication wears off.
Some over-the-counter antihistamines, while designed for allergies, can have a drying effect on secretions. Although a cold is a viral infection, this drying property can help reduce the overall fluid volume contributing to watery eyes. Always check packaging labels for active ingredients and consult a pharmacist if taking other medications.
Identifying When Medical Attention Is Necessary
While watery eyes are a common cold symptom, certain signs indicate the issue may have progressed to a secondary infection or a more serious problem. The presence of thick, colored discharge, specifically yellow or green pus, suggests a potential bacterial infection like conjunctivitis or a significant sinus infection. Normal cold-related tearing should involve clear, watery fluid.
Other red flags include pain in or around the eye, extreme redness that does not resolve with the cold, or any noticeable change in vision, such as blurriness or light sensitivity. If eye symptoms persist for longer than ten days, especially after other cold symptoms improve, an evaluation by a healthcare professional is warranted. These symptoms may point to a condition requiring specific medical treatment beyond home remedies.