Humidity levels naturally drop during winter
because cold air can't hold as much moisture as warm air. Ideal indoor humidity during winter should hover around 45%. Dry air can cause your humidity to drop to levels of 15% or less, and this humidity imbalance can become a potential problem affecting your health, home, and especially your environment.
Dry Air And Disease Prevention
The upper part of your respiratory system, such as your throat and nose is lined with moist membranes. They help to capture dirt, dust, viruses, and bacteria before they reach your lungs. These membranes can lose too much moisture to dry air and their ability to capture particles become compromised.
Humidity helps these membranes to do their job to prevent these harmful particles from getting into the sensitive areas of your lungs. Taking the right steps to allow the right amount of moisture in your air, can reduce the risk of illness.
Dry Air Isn't Good For Your Nose
Dry air can cause another uncomfortable and unpleasant symptom: itchy, uncomfortable nasal passages. The majority of breathing is done through the nose and low humidity levels can cause the inside of the nose to become dry and irritated. This could be painful and also cause nosebleeds. A proper humidifier can help keep nasal passages clear and healthy.
Low Humidity Hurts Your Skin
Your skin is composed of half water. When the air lacks humidity, this will cause your skin to naturally dry out. It can be itching, flaking, tightness around the joints. It can even cause cracking of the skin and chapped lips. Overly dry air can cause flare-ups of skin problems including eczema and acne too. So keeping a humidifier is not only good for your health but also for your skin throughout the toughest of winters.
Static Electricity
When air is properly humidified, the static electricity in your home naturally dissipates. When the air is too dry, the static electricity will begin to build up. This can cause blankets and clothes to stick together. It can also cause painful electric shock if you are not careful. You could be prone to a shock every time you touch a doorknob or other metal surfaces.
Damage to your furnishings
Dry air can cause damage to your home as well as the items in it. Wood furniture can start to bend and even crack. Musical instruments can lose their shape and their tune. Items such as books, artworks can become brittle, warped, and wrinkled.
Don't Suffer Through Winter
The cold is bad enough, don't let dry air add to your discomfort and damage the things in your home. Take control with a humidifier and enjoy the air all year long. There are plenty of humidifiers available online that you can purchase — do your research and see what works best for your home and your budget.
