Hot and humid summer days can feel unbearable at times, but do you know why? Humidity or the amount of moisture in the air can make the temperature feel warmer as the sweat takes longer to evaporate. The hot, muggy air feels uncomfortable and can cause the human body to exhaust faster, proving a potential danger to human health. On the other hand, low humidity levels aren’t great for the body either. Know how changing humidity levels can impact your body and what measures can control the symptoms. Naturally, when your body starts to heat up, you release sweat. The sweat then evaporates from the skin, which helps us feel cool. In humid weather where the air has a high moisture content, the sweat takes longer to evaporate, leaving you feeling hot and sticky. As a result, the body starts working even harder to cool itself. This results in increased sweating, increased heart rate and respiration, and depth of blood circulation. Excessive sweating can also cause loss of water and certain chemicals your body needs to function correctly.
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Frizzy Hair
If you realize you’re having more bad hair days than good ones, humidity is the cause here. High moisture in the air can result in more rough and frizzy hair. To combat this, you can either use a straightener or frizz-controlling hair products. However, these products also don’t work well in extreme humidity.
Increased Sweating
You might notice you’re sweating more during the humid days. It’s because the humidity in the atmosphere makes you feel the temperature hotter than it is. What’s worse, the sweat can’t evaporate from your body which makes you feel warmer.
You can use a whole-home dehumidifier for such situations. These dehumidifiers reduce the moisture level in the air, so you don’t feel uncomfortable. In addition, it is wired in your HVAC system, so you don’t even have to turn it on and off. Rather, it senses the indoor humidity and acts automatically according to it.
Overheating
Humidity not only impacts the temperature but also fools your body. You can suffer serious health consequences in the high humidity. It’s advisable to avoid working outdoors during summers because you can put yourself at risk of headaches, exhaustion, chills, fever, and even disorientation. These are some common conditions overheating can put you in:
Heat Cramps
Working out in humid weather can cause muscle cramps due to the imbalance of salt in the body. However, cramps become less frequent when your body gets used to the temperature.
Heat Exhaustion
In this case, body temperature rises to 102 degrees. If not taken care of, older adults can face severe consequences. The best way to prevent this is by drinking a lot of water. Also, don’t take any salt tablets without consulting the doctor.
Heat Stroke
Extreme heat in temperature can cause the body temperature to rise above 105 degrees. In this case, the person might feel confusion, lethargy, and unconsciousness. If you have even the slightest doubts, go to the doctor immediately, as heat strokes can cause death if left untreated. As far you’ve understood the effects of high humidity on the body, what about extremely low humidity levels? When the humidity levels are low in the atmosphere, the rate of water loss through respiration and skin increases. Your body tries to put back the moisture which is lost due to respiration. Also, when it enters your lungs, the dry air can draw the moisture out of them. All of such conditions contribute to moisture loss from the body. Invest in a good home humidifier during these months where humidity gets extremely low. Apart from this, drink plenty of water whether you’re outdoors or indoors.
Dry Skin
Low humidity in the air can leave your skin flaky and itchy. It’s because the skin needs moisture to maintain its elasticity. You might also experience cracks and bleeding due to the roughness. Bring home a humidifier to combat the situation. You can set the humidity level as per your needs. Also, apply moisturizer all over the body.
Allergy Symptoms And Asthma
A sudden drop in humidity levels can dry up the nasal passages, making symptoms worse in people with allergies. You might also experience nose bleeds if you have allergies, leading to sinus infections if left untreated. You can bring home a humidifier in case you’re experiencing such symptoms. However, make sure you don’t overdo it as high humidity serves as the perfect condition for allergens like mites, molds, and mildew to grow.
Sore Throat And Chapped Lips
The process that draws moisture out of your nasal passages can have the same effect on your throat. Moreover, low humidity can also result in chapped lips, which is not harmful but rather uncomfortable.
The Bottom Line
As you have seen, both high and low humidity levels have a negative impact on the body. The ideal humidity level is 50%, as it allows the body to function normally. Drink plenty of water and invest in great moisturizers and lip balms during the winter months to avoid any negative impacts. Keeping all the mentioned points in mind will help you prevent humidity’s negative impacts on the human body. Also, make sure you immediately consult a doctor if you experience any of the severe symptoms.
