Asthma and Humidity: Understanding the Impact and How to Stay Safe

Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which the airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus, which blocks the airways, making it difficult for you to breathe. On a humid day, when you breathe in moisture-laden air, your asthma symptoms may aggravate as it makes the airways thicker and causes lung inflammation.

Read on to learn about the relationship between humidity and asthma, the adverse impact of humidity on asthma, and the effective ways that you may use to regulate the humidity levels inside your home.

If you have asthma, there are several ways in which high humidity levels can trigger your condition and symptoms.

• You may have difficulty inhaling the air as it may feel heavy and dense.
• The humid air, once inhaled, stimulates the C-fiber sensory nerves leading to bronchoconstriction or the constriction of the airways. This condition, besides increasing your difficulty in breathing, may also trigger coughing bouts.
• Humid air is heavy and unable to escape. This stagnant air is the perfect hotbed for asthma allergens such as dust mites, mold, smoke particles, and pollen to thrive. Inhaling this air may escalate your asthma symptoms.
• Hot and humid temperatures increase ozone levels resulting in higher pollutants in the air that may set off your symptoms.

If you are wondering whether humidity is bad for asthma, the answer is yes. On a hot and humid day, when your symptoms worsen, you can tell that it is caused by humidity. You may experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing and coughing
• Tightness in your chest

While it is a proven fact that humidity triggers asthma symptoms, you can manage the symptoms and limit their impact by following the steps mentioned below:

• Stay indoors when the humidity levels are high outside
• If going out is unavoidable, use your rescue inhaler before stepping out
• Stay adequately hydrated and wear loose clothes made of breathable fabrics
• Avoid exercising outdoors when the temperature and humidity are at their peak
• Right at the onset of a flare-up, follow the treatment protocol advised by your doctor, which may include taking fast-acting bronchodilators or inhalers. This limits the extent of the flare-up, and you experience relief faster.

It may not be possible for you to do anything about the level of moisture in the atmosphere, but you can keep yourself protected against the ill effects of humidity on asthma by restricting your movements outside. You can feel the effects of humidity in your home, too, but in this case, you can take certain measures to ensure that the humidity within the interiors of your home stays at a level that does not cause discomfort to you.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor relative humidity should not exceed 60%. In fact, the best humidity level for asthma is between 30% and 50%, as asthma allergens such as pests, mold, and dust mites do not flourish in such low humidity. To maintain the desired humidity level, the measures you may consider are:

• Regulate the air conditioner temperature to ensure that it is comfortable inside your home
• Open the windows for better ventilation if temperature and humidity levels dip to comfortable levels at night
• Install a dehumidifier to ensure the removal of excess moisture from within your home
• Check your home’s insulation system to enjoy comfortable temperatures throughout the year
• Use a fan inside the bathroom to dissipate the vapors that form when you use hot water

The most favorable weather for asthma isn’t any specific season but any extended period that sees mild temperatures and humidity ranging between 30% to 50%, the best level of humidity for asthma. That’s because, in consistent mild weather conditions, your flare-ups reduce.

While there is no best or worst weather for asthma, there are certain weather conditions that may cause the level of allergens and pollutants, the two major factors that trigger asthma symptoms, to increase. The least favorable weather for asthma may include:

• Very High Temperatures

• Very Low Temperatures

• Inconsistent Weather

• Windy Conditions

At One Medical Center, our team of healthcare providers has the skills and expertise in emergency medicine, injury treatment, and primary care. Our center is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and equipment that allow us to offer you the highest standards of urgent and primary care for a wide range of non-life-threatening conditions.

If you are looking for affordable personalized medical care for your chronic condition in Clearwater, FL, call us at 727-591-9010 to schedule an appointment with us today.

One Medical Center is top-notch urgent care in Clearwater, FL. Our team is committed to provide you with high-quality medical treatments. Visit us today without any upfront appointment to experience world-class care near you!