Written by: Emily Joswiak • December 2, 2020• Health & Wellness

Health Effects of High Humidity

Many amazing perks come with living in a tropical climate. From the ability to spend almost the full year outside to the more relaxed pace of life, there is so much to enjoy. But along with the good, there also comes the possibility of health problems resulting from the elevated moisture in the air. Here are five of the health effects of high humidity that you might experience.

Dehydration

The most dangerous threat to your health from elevated humidity is dehydration. It can strike even when there is too much moisture in the air. When temperatures are already high, it doesn’t take much to trigger an onslaught of symptoms, including dizziness, muscle cramps, nausea, weakness, and heart palpitations. If left untreated long enough, it can even lead to coma and death.

Irritation To the Skin

Though not as severe as dehydration, high humidity can result in skin irritation. When your body is warm, it produces sweat to cool itself down. But if there is too much moisture already in the air, the sweat cannot evaporate quickly enough, causing skin irritation. Consider taking help from professionals and getting dehumidifiers installed where possible, to remove excess moisture and thus prevent a lot of these issues.

Poor Sleep

Everybody knows that sleep is vital to the body’s overall health. But humid conditions can make it so that sleep is difficult, if not impossible. Sleep is impacted by how comfortable our bodies feel, but when sweat produced during sleep doesn’t evaporate, it can lead to a night of tossing and turning while you try to cool down.

Risk of Infections

Those already at risk of respiratory illness need to be extremely cautious in high humidity conditions. Some of the possible symptoms of respiratory distress and infection include wheezing, headache, fatigue, and trouble breathing. Your eyes, nose, and throat can also experience irritation in high humidity situations. These risks are especially severe in infants, the elderly, and people with asthma. That is why it would be prudent for those at high risks of respiratory illness to get checked beforehand. They can consider visiting clinics similar to Gwinnett Lung that tend to specialize in pulmonary health.

Mold Growth

The last of the health effects of high humidity is the possibility of illness due to mold and other fungi. For most fungi to grow, humidity must be above 60 percent. Mold can have many negative health effects, especially in those with asthma. It is especially important to take additional precautions to prevent unnecessary exposure to mold in your home.

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