Here’s how to care for your eyes, sinuses and skin during a wildfire

Multiple wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles County, destroying thousands of structures and forcing more than 130,000 residents to evacuate, with much of the area under a red flag warning through Friday night. Sinuses Recent research shows that air pollution and smoke can trigger chronic sinus inflammation or weaken the nose’s natural filtration system, even in previously healthy people, said Dr. Kevin Hur, an ear, nose and throat specialist with Keck Medicine of USC. “Washing daily or up to two times a day can help clean the filter that’s inside your nose so it’s as effective as possible.” — Kevin Hur, ear, nose and throat specialist with Keck Medicine of USC Wearing a mask outdoors, limiting time outside and keeping windows closed are all recommendations that can not only protect your lungs but also your sinuses. “It can change the chemical makeup of your natural tear film and cause even more irritation.” Skin The threats to skin health are equally concerning and are exacerbated by Southern California’s dry winter season, says Dr. Teo Soleymani, who holds faculty positions at both UCLA Olive View-Medical Center and at USC. “Creams and ointments are always better than lotions, things out of jars are always better than things out of a pump bottle.” — Teo Soleymani, faculty at UCLA Olive View-Medical Center and USC “Every time the hillsides burn in Southern California, we see patients coming in with pretty severe contact allergen rashes,” Soleymani said.