Skiing is one of the most popular wintertime activities, especially when you have an opportunity to enjoy a cool trip in the great outdoors. While most of the articles about ski safety focus on your limbs, CEENTA is your source for keeping your head and skin winter-ready this year.
Ski Safety Tip #1: Wear Goggles
Your eyes are extremely vulnerable to cold weather, especially when facing it at top speeds down a mountain. To reduce the likelihood of dry eyes and protect them from the harsh impact of the wind and snow, wear protective goggles that properly fit your head.
Ski Safety Tip #2: Cover and Moisturize Your Nose
The cold air and higher altitude can play a number on your nasal cavities. As Dr. F.P. Johns Langford, a CEENTA ENT physician from our Concord office, explains, “Dry nasal passages can make it more likely to develop nosebleeds, while others may experience worse congestion.” A ski mask or a balaclava can be used to prevent windburn and keep your nose warm while enjoying the slopes. Saline spray and saline can also help prevent nosebleeds.
Ski Safety Tip #3: Use Sunscreen
It may seem weird to think you can get a sunburn in the middle of winter, but UV rays from the sun can reflect off the snow and direct to your skin. That, plus the higher elevation can make sun damage more likely. If you are planning on skiing during the daytime, cover any areas of your face and body not protected by clothing with sunscreen, such as the Sun Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 50 from Obagi.
While skiing, you may notice that your eyes, ears, nose, and throat don’t feel the best in any area. If you’re not sure why your vision is blurry, your ears are hurting, or your throat is sore, schedule your next appointment with CEENTA’s team of board-certified ophthalmologists and ENT physicians. With nearly twenty offices to choose from in the Carolinas, you’ll find the relief you need to return to the slopes.
Schedule your next eye or ENT appointment with CEENTA through our online platform or through your myCEENTAchart account if you are an existing patient.
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates
