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Posts Tagged ‘dry air’

It’s no secret that constantly living and working in damp conditions is bad for our health, but not many people realise that the opposite is also true. Air without enough moisture can cause a lot of health problems which could be avoided by regulating the air. The use of air conditioners not only helps to control the temperature and purity of the air but also ensures that humidity is kept at the right levels to avoid these health issues. One obvious consequence of a dry environment is dehydration, but there are all sorts of other complaints that can be made worse by living and working in these conditions.

Asthma – Modern homes and offices with double glazing get particularly dry when the central heating is in use during the winter. The effects of prolonged central heating causing that dried-out feeling are easily familiar to anyone but those with respiratory illnesses often find that it can make their condition worse. Installing a portable air conditioner with a humidifier in the home or office makes all the difference as it injects the necessary moisture back into the air.

Dry skin and hair – If the air is too dry it will draw water from any available source, including our skin. This can leave skin feeling rough and painful, and hair dry and brittle.

Hay fever and allergies – One in 10 people in central Europe suffer from hay fever, but contrary to its name this affliction has very little to do with hay. Pollen in the air is the real problem, it’s everywhere in the summer months but invisible to the eye. The use of a ceiling fan will make the room feel fresher and less dusty, but if the air is too dry it will only blow pollen around even more. Weighing down the particles by injecting moisture into the air will stop them from causing so much of a problem. As any hay fever sufferer will tell you, they are least affected by their allergies just after rain, while the air is still moist.

Eyes – One of the first signs that the air is too dry is irritation of the eyes. If the thin layer of moisture on the surface evaporates, the eye is left feeling dry and irritated. Contact lens wearers are most familiar with this as the lenses become an irritation if they are allowed to dry out, and can sometimes pick up small particles of dust.

Tiredness – It’s not just the feeling of dry eyes that causes us to feel tired in dry conditions, it also affects the way we breathe. Not having enough moisture in the air makes it more difficult for out lungs to extract the oxygen we need. Tiredness, headaches and general fatigue are signs of reduced oxygen levels, and can cause stress.