Dry air can negatively affect our health differently, from sinuses to irritated eyes to skin and respiratory conditions. In many cases, overexposure to cold and dry air has caused a variety of risky health symptoms. Dry air can also increase your chances of suffering from certain harmful illnesses. According to the reports, the average American spent at least 90% of their time indoors, so keeping the air at a suitable moisture level is essential for various health reasons.
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How Can Overly Dry Air Affect Your Health?
According to the EPA’s recommendation, one must keep the moisture or humidity level in the workspace or home between 30 to 50%. When the indoor air level gets drier than this, it might increase your risk of suffering from several health issues.
Let’s discuss some ways through which dry and cold air can cause adverse effects on our health.
Bronchitis, Asthma, And Many Respiratory Illnesses
According to many medical experts, various asthma symptoms, especially in spasms, can worsen because of dry and cold air. When an individual is in a highly humid environment, the fluid that helps hydrate the bronchial tubes present in the lungs can easily evaporate. This situation can cause airways to become vulnerable and soon turn into irritation. This scenario mainly occurs during the winter seasons.
Sore Throat
Sometimes dry and cold air can lead to inflammation and pain in our throat, leading to difficulty in swallowing, according to an experimental study conducted in 2013 involving at least 45 volunteers to test the effects of dry and cold air. They sent a stream of dry and cold air into the volunteer’s throat. The volunteers reported the lower level of humidity and temperature of the dry air, higher irritation, and pain.
Eye Irritation
If an individual is working in an environment where the air conditioner keeps the moisture and humidity level low, then dry and cold air can cause harm to the tear film, which protects your cornea. You may notice dry patches forming under your eye, leaving you irritated by various eye irritants. Suppose your job demands spending hours in a highly air-conditioned area along with facing a computer screen. In that case, it is highly recommended that one should take short breaks to restore the moisture in the eyes.
Dermatitis And Dry Skin
According to many research types, indoor dry and cold air, especially coming from air conditioners, can cause dry and rough skin. It can worsen the symptoms of eczema. Arid and cold air can decrease your skin elasticity and weaken the skin barrier functions. However, when your skin contacts various irritants and allergens, it might get damaged. For individuals who are already suffering from atopic dermatitis, cold and dry air can worsen the situation.
Nosebleed
Nosebleed is one of the common side effects of cold and dry air. They are quite common during winter months, with offices and homes are extremely heated. You can experience nosebleeds during any season if indoor air contains a low level of humidity.
Dehydration
Spending hours in a dry and cold environment can quickly deplete the body’s water level. According to the study conducted in 2006, researchers checked and reported the hydration level of many workers who spend hours in a lower humid area. When the researchers analyzed the urine sample of many workers, they realized that their urine was highly concentrated compared to workers in a typical humidity environment. High-concentrated urine is one of the biomarkers of dehydration.
Conclusion:
Dry and cold air can cause negative effects on our health, can cause various skin problems, respiratory conditions, sore throat, dry eyes, dehydration, nosebleed, and other health issues. To develop a healthy work and home environment, the environmental protection agencies have recommended keeping the humidity level between 30% and 50% indoors. One can also use a humidifier, a spray that can lubricate your sinuses, lips, skin, balms, and moisturizing lotions. If you continue to suffer from significant health issues even after making specific changes, you must consult your doctor immediately.
