What Are the Health Effects of Low Indoor Humidity?
With cold winter weather comes lots of dry air. Dry air makes static electricity when you touch furniture or other people in your home. Besides static electricity, there are many health effects of low humidity that can cause new health problems, or make current ones worse. If your house suffers from exceptionally low humidity in the winter, then call Mission Mechanical to help. We have the humidity solutions you’ve been looking for to help keep your home healthy all year long.
Common Health Effects of Low Humidity
Low humidity has been tied to the spreading of germs and colds. According to a 2016 study, doctors found that more people were infected with the flu after a cold spell. The authors of the study found that dry air may prolong the life of viruses indoors. It’s a good idea to be aware of the common health effects of low humidity so you can accurately gauge the humidity in your home.
Dry Skin
Cracked knuckles, chapped lips, and itchy and dry skin are all signs of low humidity. This could be especially problematic for those suffering from severe eczema. Your skin is your body’s first line of defense, and dry skin can weaken your skin’s barrier function, making you more susceptible to germs. Keep lotion handy, and apply liberally when you notice dry skin.
Respiratory Problems
Sudden bloody noses and scratchy throats are very common if exposed a lot to dry air. Dry air can especially irritate your sinuses, nose, and throat. Nasal congestion during the cold months is usually attributed to low humidity. With normal humidity, the sensors in the nose send a cooling sensation to make the air pass freely through the nasal cavity. When the air in the environment is dry, these sensors get irritated, making the sinus dry.
Eye Issues
Dry air is nothing to cry about, but your eyes may have a hard time producing tears. Your eyes rely on moisture for protection, and if your eyes are dry, they are more vulnerable to infections. Experiencing a burning feeling in your eyes is another health effect of low humidity. If your eyes seem to get very dry in the winter, talk to your eye doctor about eye drops to help keep your eyes moist.
Exasperated Allergies and Asthma
If you have chronic allergies or asthma, dry air is known to make these ailments worse. The lack of moisture in the air dries out the sinuses and bronchial tubes, leaving your airways open to irritation. Try to avoid long exposure to dry air if you suffer from chronic asthma, and keep your inhaler handy.
How a Whole House Humidifier Can Help
Humidifiers are a great solution to combat dry air. If you have a few rooms where you get particular bad static shocks, having a humidifier just for this room might help a lot. However, if you can’t find relief in any room of the house, consider installing a whole house humidifier.
Not only can a whole house humidifier help with dry air, but it can also help with climate control in your house. Whole House humidifiers add moisture to the air which helps make your house feel warmer, which means you won’t want to turn up the heat as much. This can be especially helpful if you’re sick and have chills. With more moisture in the air, viruses won’t survive as long, so your house will feel cleaner, and diseases will spread less quickly among family members.
Call Mission Mechanical for Humidity Solutions
Mission Mechanical is happy to offer whole house humidifiers to help your home be as comfortable as possible. A powerful humidifier can help eliminate the health effects associated with low humidity in your home. This is especially helpful if you or any of your family members suffer from eczema, asthma, or chronic allergies. Call Mission Mechanical today to learn more.
