"Seasonal Allergies: What’s Causing Your Dry Eye & Runny Nose This Winter?" — Sheila Dougherty
In the U.S., we’ve been experiencing the worst flu season in a decade; as of last week, 97 children have died of the illness. Influenza has been grabbing all the headlines, but our eyes, ears, noses, and throats experience all sorts of trouble this time of year. Gregory Levitin, MD, otolaryngologist and director of the vascular birthmarks and malformations program at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai and Angie Wen, MD, cornea and cataract surgeon at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, talk about the differences among the illnesses we commonly experience this year, and how best to care for ourselves. “Cold and flu season refers to the winter months when respiratory viruses are most prevalent. Many people are actually sensitive to cold weather, a condition called vasomotor rhinitis, and develop symptoms similar to that of allergic rhinitis, which can occur year‐round,” said Dr. Levitin. Dr. Wen added, “Many decongestants and antihistamines can cause dry eye in the same way that they dry out the mucous membranes of the nose.”
- Gregory M. Levitin, MD, Senior Faculty, Otolaryngology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Director, Vascular Birthmarks and Malformations, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai
- Angie Wen, MD, Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Cornea and Cataract Surgeon, New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai