07/03/2026
🚨 Smoke from nearby wildfires can cause more than just a cough. If you’re experiencing burning eyes, a sore throat, or a dry or runny nose, the smoke may be the cause. Here are a few ways to help protect yourself and find relief:
💧 Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your nose and throat moist.
🏠 Stay indoors when possible. Keep windows and doors closed, and use air conditioning or an air purifier if available.
👁️ Soothe irritated eyes. Use preservative-free artificial tears and avoid rubbing your eyes.
🧂 Use saline nasal spray or a saline rinse to help flush smoke particles from your nasal passages and relieve dryness and congestion.
🍵 Ease a sore throat with warm tea, honey (for adults and children over 1 year), warm saltwater gargles, or throat lozenges.
🚭 Avoid additional irritants like cigarette smoke, candles, and strong cleaning products while air quality is poor.
⚠️ Seek medical care right away if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, severe wheezing, dizziness, or symptoms that continue to worsen. People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, young children, older adults, and pregnant individuals should take extra precautions during smoky conditions.
❤️ We’re here for our community. If you have any questions or concerns about smoke exposure or your symptoms, please don’t hesitate to call Gorman Medical Cripple Creek at 719-820-7740. Our team is happy to help determine if you should be seen or answer any questions you may have.
Stay safe, take care of one another, and we hope for clearer skies soon!
