Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Karen W. on 29/04/2007 02:27:39

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: Karen W. on 29/04/2007 02:27:39

 Well I was wondering, because in my daily life I have noticed that water from the shower, always makes my eye lashes feel heavier and as if they are poking me and getting tangled or something. Now Today I found my self melancholy and the tears were obviously doing whatever job they are supposed to be doing, but I did notice that my eyes were just as wet from the tears, as I was in the shower at the time, but as soon as the tears rolled my eyes immediately felt less agitated then with the water. the lashes seemed to relax and not be such a problem??? I do not understand why. Can someone explain this or am I imagining it?

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: JimBob on 30/04/2007 00:19:26

Water from tears is not like water from the shower - they contain different things. The shower can have dissolved metals - iron & copper from fittings and pipes, if you place is old enough, and from calcium and other minerals from the ground.

Tears, on the other hand have only what you body produces, like salts and amino acids (some of the anti-biotic agents in the tears) so the tears are compatible with you eye lashes.

(Now some doctor or physiologist will correct me, I'm sure.)

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: Karen W. on 30/04/2007 00:25:07

Thanks Jim Bob... I always wonder why water in my eyes feels so bad, like its hard or something.. LOL I know its not but tears are way different.. makes sense what you say!

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: lyner on 30/04/2007 09:12:15

I am sure that pH and concentration of salts play a part.
btw - how analytical of you to notice that phenomenon under such circumstances; a true scientist by nature!
Maybe a new shower gel, based on tears, would sell well..

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: daveshorts on 30/04/2007 11:12:06

Do you live in a hard water area? If you add your water to red cabbage does it go blue? This would mean that your water is alkali. This is not especially good for hair. Hair is covered with scales, in alkali environments they tend to lift up, making the hair tangle more easily. Your tears are probably slightly acidic which will allow the scales to lie down. making the hir nice and smooth. This is why lemon juice in the final waer you rince your hair with will make your hair a lot more manageable.

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: Karen W. on 30/04/2007 17:41:10

We have hard water, but the cabbage stays purple at least the purple cabbage does!.. LOL

I did not know that about lemons either. I just know I can't stand plain water to sit upon my eyelashes as it feels pokey almost!

Crying soaks them the same but doesn't feel weird!

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: Karen W. on 30/04/2007 17:42:37

Quote from: sophiecentaur on 30/04/2007 09:12:15

I am sure that pH and concentration of salts play a part.
btw - how analytical of you to notice that phenomenon under such circumstances; a true scientist by nature!
Maybe a new shower gel, based on tears, would sell well..

Maybe it would! LOL

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: RD on 02/05/2007 15:34:57

Quote from: Karen W. on 29/04/2007 02:27:39

Well I was wondering, because in my daily life I have noticed that water from the shower, always makes my eye lashes feel heavier and as if they are poking me and getting tangled or something. Now Today I found my self melancholy and the tears were obviously doing whatever job they are supposed to be doing, but I did notice that my eyes were just as wet from the tears, as I was in the shower at the time, but as soon as the tears rolled my eyes immediately felt less agitated then with the water. the lashes seemed to relax and not be such a problem??? I do not understand why. Can someone explain this or am I imagining it?

Tears include oil produced by the Meibomian glands,
so tears will be more lubricating than water from the shower.

Karen, you have mentioned that you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
There is an associated condition called "Sjogren's Syndrome" which can cause eye irritation.
Sjogren's affecting the eyes is treatable with artificial tears.
http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_sjogrens.html

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: Karen W. on 02/05/2007 16:11:43

Quote from: RD on 02/05/2007 15:34:57

Quote from: Karen W. on 29/04/2007 02:27:39

Well I was wondering, because in my daily life I have noticed that water from the shower, always makes my eye lashes feel heavier and as if they are poking me and getting tangled or something. Now Today I found my self melancholy and the tears were obviously doing whatever job they are supposed to be doing, but I did notice that my eyes were just as wet from the tears, as I was in the shower at the time, but as soon as the tears rolled my eyes immediately felt less agitated then with the water. the lashes seemed to relax and not be such a problem??? I do not understand why. Can someone explain this or am I imagining it?

Tears include oil produced by the Meibomian glands,
so tears will be more lubricating than water from the shower.

Karen, you have mentioned that you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
There is an associated condition called "Sjogren's Syndrome" which can cause eye irritation.
Sjogren's affecting the eyes is treatable with artificial tears.
http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_sjogrens.html

Its not me with Fibromyalgia.. I think that might be Carolyn. I have heart problems..

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: Karen W. on 02/05/2007 16:13:58

Thanks for the other information about the oil produced by the  Meibomian glands.. That actually makes sense why the tears don't get that icky feeling!

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: Carolyn on 02/05/2007 16:46:23

Quote from: Karen W. on 02/05/2007 16:11:43

Quote from: RD on 02/05/2007 15:34:57

Quote from: Karen W. on 29/04/2007 02:27:39

Well I was wondering, because in my daily life I have noticed that water from the shower, always makes my eye lashes feel heavier and as if they are poking me and getting tangled or something. Now Today I found my self melancholy and the tears were obviously doing whatever job they are supposed to be doing, but I did notice that my eyes were just as wet from the tears, as I was in the shower at the time, but as soon as the tears rolled my eyes immediately felt less agitated then with the water. the lashes seemed to relax and not be such a problem??? I do not understand why. Can someone explain this or am I imagining it?

Tears include oil produced by the Meibomian glands,
so tears will be more lubricating than water from the shower.

Karen, you have mentioned that you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
There is an associated condition called "Sjogren's Syndrome" which can cause eye irritation.
Sjogren's affecting the eyes is treatable with artificial tears.
http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_sjogrens.html

Its not me with Fibromyalgia.. I think that might be Carolyn. I have heart problems..

Karen - You're right, it was me....that I believe it to be a hasty diagnosis.  Thanks for the info RD.  Fortunately, I don't have any of those symptoms.

Title: why does water from the shower make my eye lashes feel tangled and tears do not?
Post by: Karen W. on 02/05/2007 17:43:02

I thought it was you. I hear that is often a diagnosis when they cannot figure out whats wrong.. I wonder if that's true..