While flying in an airplane, have you ever experienced any of the following?

1. Dry, tired, irritated eyes.
2. Dry, flaky nasal passages.
3. Headache.
4. Fatigue.
5. Itching skin.
6. Chapped lips.
7. Extreme thirst.
8. An "unfresh" feeling.
9. Illness immediately following the flight.

Airline cabin air is DRY

All the above symptoms are frequently experienced by airline passengers. The primary cause is low cabin humidity. Airline cabin humidity can run as low as 5%, depending on the number of people on the plane. Because the outside air at 30,000 feet contains almost no humidity or oxygen, artificially circulated, oxygenated and pressurized air is a necessity. Even apart from the low humidity, cabin air is controversial because many believe that recirculation, especially under crowded conditions, spreads bacteria.

At 5% humidity, competition for the little moisture in the air, among plane occupants, can be intense. The more crowded the plane, the more likely occupants are to experience dehydration symptoms such as those mentioned above. As skin dehydrates, dead particles are shed (which is the reason for the itching). Exposure to other peoples' airborne skin particles is also dehydrating and irritating. Airborne skin particles carry bacteria at a time when skin, eyes and nasal passages, dehydrated by low cabin humidity and forced air, are more vulnerable.

The mist solution

Research by Bio-Logic Aqua Technologies has shown that proper skin hydration during airline flights can make a big difference. Frequent misting of the eyes and face (and arms and hands) during flights, with Nature's Mist skin moisture or Nature's Tears EyeMist, helps alleviate dehydration symptoms by allowing each passenger to create their own micro-environment of moist, wholesome air. Dry eyes become moist, dry and itchy skin becomes fresh and cool, bacterial resistance is improved, saliva starts flowing, cosmetics look fresh again and headaches often vanish instantly. Contact lenses can be comfortably worn on board planes by misting the eyes whenever discomfort is felt. Skin crèmes and lotions do not increase skin content but are useful in helping slow moisture loss. So by all means, apply skin lotion AFTER you mist.

Airline comfort tips

Bio-Logic Aqua Technologies suggests several ways to avoid dehydration symptoms during airline travel:

1. Drink as much water as you can. Bottled water tends to be fresher, purer and safer than airline tap water. Orange juice is also helpful but a little caloric.
2. Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Both are dehydrating and contribute to headache and fatigue.
3. To lessen dehydration symptoms, apply Nature's Mist skin moisture or Nature's Tears EyeMist to the face every 15 to 20 minutes, leaving eyes opened and breathing in the moisture. Both product will benefit both skin and eyes.
4. Mist as needed to rejuvenate faded cosmetics.
5. Mist prior to applying lotions and other skin care products.
6. During your vacation, apply Nature's Mist skin moisture or Nature's Tears EyeMist after sports or outdoor recreation activities, and before applying sunscreen, to soothe and lessen fatigue (that "drained" feeling)
   and sunburn.