The impact of excessively dry indoor air on the human body

Especially in the winter months, indoor air often becomes excessively dry. Dry air can cause discomfort and negatively affect our health. The consequences of insufficient air humidity can be very different — from dry skin and burning eyes to problems with the respiratory system.

In this article, we will explain how dry air affects the human body, what consequences it can cause, and what can be done to prevent them.

Reading time: about 4 minutes.

Article contents

• Dry air: coughing, breathing problems, and eye irritation
• Dry skin due to dry air
• Home remedies for dry skin, coughing, and burning eyes
• Humidifiers for the health of skin, eyes, and airways

Dry air: coughing, breathing problems, and eye irritation

Excessively dry indoor air can negatively affect the respiratory tract. Low relative humidity can impair the natural cleansing function of the mucous membranes and weaken the body’s protective mechanisms.

When the mucous membranes dry out, the protective mucus layer becomes more permeable to disease-causing microorganisms. This can increase susceptibility to infections and manifest as coughing, sore throat, and colds.

An interesting study on the relationship between relative humidity and school absences due to illness showed noticeable differences.

Among children whose homes and schools did not use air humidification systems, the rate of absences due to illness was 7.1%. For children who used humidification systems both at home and at school, this figure was only 1.3%.

As for the eyes, studies show that low relative humidity can cause more frequent blinking, irritation, and burning, and can also contribute to inflammatory processes, including conjunctivitis.

In a dry environment, tear fluid evaporates faster, causing the tear film, which performs important protective functions, to become thinner. This can lead to burning, inflammation, and other eye health problems.

Dry skin due to dry air

Skin is the largest organ of the human body, and problems with its health can cause significant discomfort.

Air humidity plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin. Dry air affects its moisture level and contributes to moisture loss.

As a result, the skin becomes dry, itching and flaking appear, and cracks may form.

Excessively dry indoor air can also weaken the skin’s natural protective function, which helps protect the body from temperature effects, light, damage, and infections.

Home remedies for dry skin, coughing, and burning eyes

There are many home remedies that are traditionally used to relieve unpleasant symptoms associated with dry air.

Humidifiers for the health of skin, eyes, and airways

To maintain a healthy indoor microclimate, a relative humidity level of 40–60% is recommended. It is within this range that many risks associated with excessively dry or humid air are minimized.

A humidifier helps create a comfortable indoor climate and combat the consequences of excessively dry air, as well as prevent them from appearing.

Humidifiers equipped with a hygrostat allow you to individually set the desired humidity level.

In addition, such devices are efficient because they automatically stop humidifying when the set humidity level is reached and resume operation when necessary.

Thus, a humidifier helps maintain a comfortable humidity level indoors. Your skin, eyes, and mucous membranes will suffer less from dry air.

Why is it important to maintain optimal humidity?

• Helps reduce dry skin
• Reduces discomfort associated with eye irritation
• Supports the natural moisture of mucous membranes
• Creates more comfortable conditions for sleep and rest
• Helps maintain a pleasant microclimate at home and in the office

Would you like to learn more about how a humidifier can improve your well-being and what humidification technologies exist?

Discover the Stadler Form range of humidifiers and choose the right device for your home.

Stadler Form humidifiers: www.stadlerform.lv