Health consequences of low humidity
Headaches, itchy skin and irritated mucous membranes – all these are symptoms of low humidity. Especially in winter we are plagued by dry air, which can ultimately also be harmful to our health.
But don’t worry, there is a remedy in the form of humidifiers, which can be used to restore the optimal room climate and increase the air humidity.
Dry air and low humidity – frequent cause of complaints
People who feel unwell, have headaches or suffer from irritated mucous membranes seldom look for the reasons in their own homes. Rather, people assume that a cold is coming on.
In winter, however, dry air in particular can lead to the above-mentioned and other symptoms. A trivial cause, which can be corrected very easily.
Good to know: Too low air humidity is the cause of dry air. This does not occur only in the winter months, but can prevail throughout the year in different rooms.
No wonder, then, that even builders and landlords have long recognized the importance of air conditioning in apartments and houses. Many tenants require a healthy living climate in the first place in order to feel comfortable in an apartment or house and also to want to buy or rent it. Also in the office or. generally at work: only with an optimal air humidity it can be endured in the long run.
Frequent infections as a result of dry heating air
If the air in the room is warmed up due to a switched on heater, it contains little water. This means that the air humidity is low.
The lack of water in the air also increases the risk of infections. Although warm temperatures are perceived as pleasant, they also irritate the mucous membranes.
The throat, nose and bronchial tubes dry out as a result of low air humidity. Also the small cilia are no longer able to fulfill their function of cleaning due to the dry air.
In this way, bacteria and viruses have almost free rein and can multiply and enter the organism more quickly. Flu can be the consequence, which – as you can see – is not always caught by environmental influences, but can also be caused by dry heating air.
Increase humidity – a humidifier provides a remedy
To avoid infections as well as headaches and irritated mucous membranes, it is advisable to always check the air humidity in the rooms with a hygrometer. These small devices measure the temperature and humidity in the air and provide information about how good or bad the indoor climate currently is.
- Optimal air humidity: between 40 and 60 percent.
- Air humidity that is too low: below 40 percent.
- Humidity too high: above 60 percent.
Important: For some rooms there are certain exceptions to this rule. In the kitchen and in the bathroom the air humidity is and may be calmly always somewhat higher, whereby also here longer time over 60 per cent should be avoided absolutely.
In bedrooms, a humidity at the lower limit is recommended, because at night the humidity in the room generally increases even more. In the basement, too, the humidity is often somewhat higher, but even here it should not exceed 70 percent – certainly not permanently.
With a humidifier you can regulate the air humidity if it is currently too low. The counterpart of this device is a dehumidifier, which in turn is used when the humidity is too high and pulls the moisture from the air. A hygrometer (resp. moisture meter) checks the respective values and provides appropriate information.