Most people associate the winter months as being the worst time of year for low humidity. The it’s cold outside, people tend to use heaters to create a more comfortable environment inside their homes and workplaces. But sense warm air is denser than cool air, it’s unable to hold as much moisture; therefore, the humidity drops and the indoor climate remains dry and arid. However, the spring season can prove to be equally as problematic in terms of low humidity.
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA), up to 50 million Americans (1 in 5) suffer from allergies. Allergies are characterized by the immune system’s response to what it believes is a foreign invader. For instance, when you breathe in a particular allergen (dust, mold, bacteria, pet dander, etc.), your immune system may respond by triggering an episode of sneezing itching eyes, runny nose, and similar symptoms. While people may experience allergies throughout the year, they are particularly common in the spring months due to the presence of pollen.
Pollen is an all-too-common allergen that can make otherwise normal tasks like playing in the yard with your children or even walking to check the mail painfully difficult. Ever notice the yellow powder-like residue coating your car during the spring months? This is pollen, and when you breathe it into you lungs, you may experience an allergic reaction. The good news is that pollen-related allergies shouldn’t cause any major health issues, but they can still reduce your quality of life during the spring season.
So, how does low humidity impact pollen-related spring allergies? No matter how hard you try to prevent it, some pollen will inevitably enter your home and workplace. Replacing the air filter once a month will help control it, but it only takes a very small amount to trigger an allergic reaction. Indoor environments with a relative humidity (RH) of 40-50%, however, will naturally control the majority of loose pollen flying around your home or workplace. The moist air literally catches pollen and other airborne-allergens, preventing them from floating in the air where they would otherwise be inhaled.
On the other hand, indoor environments with a low humidity have the opposite effect by allowing pollen and airborne allergens to roam freely and unrestricted. With minimal moisture in the air to weigh it down, pollen will linger in the air; thus, increasing the risk of seasonal allergy attacks.
Leave Allergies Outside
When we were children playing outside, the occasional sneeze, runny nose, or moment of itchy eyes was no big deal. We would just shrug it off and continue playing. However, as adults, bouts of sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny noses are less easy to shrug off. This is especially true if those symptoms manifest every time we step into our place of work. For allergy sufferers, working in offices or factories where dust is present can be completely miserable. Workplace air quality is of great concern, but is not always appropriately addressed.
The use of a commercial humidification system can make going into work each day a far less dreadful task. Non-wetting humidification aids in dust suppression, so whether you work in a factory that generates a great deal of dust, or in an office where dust blows in from the street or surrounding area, commercial and industrial humidifiers can infinitely improve your work environment. Though going to work will probably never be as much fun as running around outside, it can at least be sneeze-free.
Allergy Relief with Humidifiers
It’s estimated that over half of the U.S. population (55%) suffers from at least one allergic condition. Allergies are the direct result of the immune system misidentifying certain contaminants and/or elements to which the individual is exposed. It may cause nothing more than a short bout of sneezing, or it can manifest more severe, long-lasting symptoms. Thankfully, a humidifier offers a fast and effective way to find allergy relief.
Allergic rhinitis is the single most common type of allergy, affecting millions of Americans. It’s characterized by nasal congestion, inflammation, dry mouth, and itchy nose and eyes. When a person with allergic rhinitis is exposed to a triggering allergen, such as dust or pollen, he or she will experience a session of the aforementioned symptoms. While there’s no known cure for allergic rhinitis, there some steps you can take to prevent it.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand the role humidity plays in allergic reactions. Humidity – the amount of water vapor in the air – helps to control common elements that trigger allergic reactions. When the air is overly dry, dust, pet dander, pollen, mold and bacteria are able to flow more freely. This means there’s a greater risk of accidentally inhaling allergy-causing triggers. On the other hand, environments with proper humidity are less likely to cause allergic reactions because the moisture catches the airborne impurities.
Individuals who are constantly exposed to low-humid environments are also more likely to develop allergies because of the dry air’s effect on their nasal passages. Low humidity causes the delicate mucus membranes to dry up, so much that it can result in cracking and bleeding (this is why nose bleeds are common in dry environments). And when the nasal passages suffer this type of damage, allergens can enter the body more easily.
Some people automatically assume seasonal changes are to blame for their allergies. While the coming of a new season can certainly play a role in the allergies, humidity may hold even greater influence. Dry air allows allergens to travel more freely, making individuals more susceptible to their effects.
There’s a quick and easy way to find allergy relief: use a humidifier. If the air in your office or workplace is constantly dry, try installing one of these devices. A commercial humidifier will ensure the area in which you work maintains a proper, stable humidity.
Smart Fog Humidity to Eliminate Dust Allergies
When people hear the word “humidity,” they usually relate it to those scorching hot temperatures in the dog days of summer. However, humidity in the air isn’t necessarily a bad thing – in fact, moist air is beneficial in many ways. Dry air can take a toll on the human body, requiring businesses and residences to use a humidifier.
Humidifiers are machines that produce a steam or mist that introduces moisture into the air. Adding moisture to the air results in greater comfort and improves health for individuals. For instance, during the dry winter months illnesses like the flu and upper respiratory infections (not to mention scratchy throats and nosebleeds) are common. Moisture in the air keeps your nose, throat, and lungs from being susceptible to illness. While it might sound funny, it’s actually really important to have moist nose hairs – it equips them to block dust particles and bacteria from entering your system and making you sick.
The need for humidification is great in certain industries. Companies like printing presses and paper supply companies often require an industrial-grade humidifier to maintain the quality of air. Paper products absorb much of the moisture that is found naturally in the air; therefore, moist air in such factories needs to be replenished on a daily basis. The benefit to workers is obvious – sore throats, nosebleeds, and other ill health effects are mitigated by the use of a humidifier. The moisture also soothes dry skin and lips, leaving them smooth and supple. The following video shows a wall-mounted humidifier in action.
While many people have a humidifier in their bedroom to help alleviate snoring and aid in the natural healing process of cold, asthma, and allergies, these systems can also be implemented in industrial and commercial buildings. As we discussed before, many paper presses and supply facilities have an industrial grade humidifier in their building, but they’re not the only type of company that can realize a humidifier’s benefits. In fact, they should also be considered in other types of offices and workspaces. Post offices, shipping locations, and other businesses that handle cardboard and paper products would greatly benefit from having a system implemented in their office. Non-industrial facilities from educational field to the medical field can also become dry over the winter months, necessitating a humidifier for relief.
Commercial applications are not the only uses for the humidifier. Dry areas of the home are a huge concern for many families, and over the winter months when sickness is likely to spread between family members, a humidifier can make all the difference. Determining the best humidifier for your family’s needs is a matter that deserves some forethought. To learn more about how to choose a humidifier watch the following video created by DadLabs. They provide great information about how to choose a humidifier that’s perfect for you and your family.
Video: How To Choose A Humidifier
Allergies and asthma affect millions of people each year. Recent data suggests that one in five have asthma or allergy symptoms. Studies have demonstrated that humidifiers can alleviate the symptoms of allergies by introducing moisture into the air. The following infographic highlights some of the issues posed by allergies in America. Take a look and see if a humidifier might not pose an effective solution to your allergy problems during dry periods of the year!
