Tears aren't necessarily hotter than your body temperature; the burning sensation you sometimes feel when you cry is due to the unique composition of emotional tears combined with increased tear production and potential skin sensitivity.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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Different Types of Tears: There are three main types of tears:
- Basal Tears: These tears keep your eyes lubricated and protected.
- Reflex Tears: These are produced in response to irritants like dust or onions.
- Emotional Tears: These tears are produced when you're experiencing strong emotions, like sadness, joy, or anger.
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Composition of Emotional Tears: Emotional tears contain different components than basal or reflex tears. They often have higher levels of:
- Proteins: Such as prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and leucine-enkephalin (a natural painkiller).
- Hormones: Related to stress and emotional regulation.
- Stress-Related Chemicals: These components are released into the tears as a result of emotional distress.
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Increased Tear Production: When you cry, your body produces a larger volume of tears than usual. This increased production can overwhelm the tear ducts, leading to tears overflowing and running down your face.
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Skin Sensitivity: The skin around your eyes and cheeks is particularly sensitive. The unique composition of emotional tears, combined with the increased volume, can irritate the skin and cause a burning sensation. This is similar to how sweat can sometimes feel irritating when it dries on your skin.
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Evaporation: As tears evaporate from your skin, they can also create a cooling effect. However, if your skin is already irritated, this cooling sensation may be perceived as burning or stinging.
In summary, the "hot" sensation associated with tears, especially during emotional distress, is more likely caused by the unique composition of emotional tears irritating sensitive skin, coupled with increased tear volume, rather than the tears actually being hotter than your body temperature.
