Dehydration  symptoms  

It may  seem counterintuitive, but too much moisture in the air can actually interfere with your body's natural cooling mechanisms and cause dehydration.

High relative Humidity makes temperatures  feel much hotter than they actually are. On a hot summer day, your finger on the thermometer may read 30°C, but at 75% relative humidity, it feels like a scorching 40°C. When the sensible temperature is 35°C, your body is working hard to cool itself down, so keep your ideal body temperature around 30°C by lying down. If the temperature is initially high, a small  increase in humidity can have a big impact on how hot you feel.

The data comes from the National Weather Service's (NWS) heat index.

The body's main cooling mechanism is sweat. As sweat evaporates from your Skin, your  body temperature decreases, giving you a sense of security. High relative humidity prevents sweat  from evaporating, but it doesn't stop your body from producing sweat. This significant loss of water, salt, and minerals can eventually lead to overheating and difficulty maintaining normal body functions. Muscle cramps, headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, increased heart rate, and fatigue are all early signs of heat exhaustion.

On the other end of the spectrum, extremely low humidity can also cause dehydration. This is usually a bigger problem during the winter and fall or in desert climates, where outdoor humidity levels can dip as low as 20 percent (an ideal humidity range is between 40 and 50 percent). To make matters worse, the dry heat produced by most home heating systems can consume what little moisture is left in your indoor air.

  The Solution: 

When outdoor humidity is high, make sure to drink lots of water, even before you feel thirsty. This will replenish your body with essential minerals and help prevent overheating due to dehydration. The same rule applies in low-humidity situations where dehydration is less obvious. If this continues, you may need to invest in a dehumidifier or humidifier for your home to bring indoor conditions back to healthy levels.

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Chronic skin and throat irritation

When humidity is extremely low, more water vapor is lost through breathing and skin pores. This can lead to chronic dry skin, chapped lips, an itchy throat, and an itchy nose. If you repeatedly rub your nose or swallow to get rid of this sensation, you  will actually be causing further irritation and inflammation to these sensitive passageways.

  Solution :  

Taking care of your skin is especially important when the humidity is low. Taking a long, hot shower may seem like the perfect luxury during the colder months, but you should be careful not to use too much soap or take too long a shower. Overexposure to chemicals in hot water and soap can strip your skin of its natural  oils, leaving it dry. To trap in moisture, apply an oil or cream moisturizer after showering and after washing your hands throughout the day.

Increased vulnerability to infection

The mucus membranes in your nose and throat are your body’s first defense against airborne pathogens. When they’re healthy, they trap viruses that cause infections before they can travel deeper into your body and enter your bloodstream.

When these membranes are dried out due to low humidity, they’re not effective at filtering pathogens. In addition, some scientists think that pathogens linger in the air longer during the winter because they lose excess water vapor and become lighter in the process. Studies have shown that the flu is much more common in the winter because cold temperatures and low humidity make it easier for individuals to contract and spread the virus to others.

  The Solution: 

Luckily, we spend more time indoors during the winter, and it’s much easier to control indoor air conditions than it is to influence the weather. If outdoor humidity levels are low, use a humidifier in your bedroom and main living area to help bring humidity to a healthy level and get some symptom relief. Fill your humidifier with distilled water (as opposed to bottled water or tap water) to avoid introducing chemicals and fine dust into your home.

Inflamed Dermatitis, Eczema, and Asthma

Eczema and other forms of dermatitis are often exacerbated by changes in temperature and humidity. When sweat remains on your skin in high-humidity conditions, it can lead to heat rash—an itchy, uncomfortable skin irritation that can occur when your sweat glands get clogged.

Extremely low-humidity conditions can also worsen skin irritation. Oftentimes, eczema becomes inflamed in winter as it travels between overheated buildings and cold outdoor temperatures. The low humidity typically associated with the cold winter months can worsen flare-ups as the skin is drained of moisture and essential oils.

For people with asthma, humidity levels can influence the frequency and severity of symptoms. Mold and dust mites thrive in high-moisture environments, so elevated indoor humidity levels can increase the number of airborne irritants you're exposed to on a daily basis. In addition, high humidity coupled with high temperatures can increase airway resistance when you breathe (making it feel more difficult to take a good breath) and trigger coughing and airway constriction in people with even mild asthma.

  The Solution: 

The best way to reduce flare-ups of any kind is to keep your indoor temperature and humidity consistent. Ideal indoor temperatures are typically between 72° and 78° F, with humidity between 40 and 50 percent. Set your thermostat to the same temperature day and night,  and run a fan when you take a shower, exercise, or boil water (any activity that creates humidity). If indoor humidity fluctuates frequently, consider investing in a smart air quality monitor and humidifier/dehumidifier to ensure a healthier environment year-round.

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