As we head into winter and temperatures outside get colder, you’ll most likely turn your home heater on more frequently. Many people, however, notice that they experience sinus issues, such as congestion or a runny nose, when they do so. Let’s investigate why this happens.
Dry Air
Indoor heaters cause the circulation of very dry indoor air. Air in winter is already dry to begin with, as cold air is less capable of holding water vapor, and indoor heaters will strip the remaining moisture from the air. Dry air dehydrates your nasal tissues and mucus, leading to irritation and inflammation.
When your nasal passages are inflamed, it causes congestion and can exacerbate existing sinus issues, trapping mucus in the sinus cavities and leading to a sinus infection.
Allergen Circulation
Most indoor heating systems reuse the air already inside the home and circulate it throughout the house. Indoor allergens, such as pet dander and dust, can be easily sent airborne by the air current created by your heater. Additionally, your heater becomes dirty and dusty during the warm months when it’s not in use regularly. When you turn the heater back on in the fall, it blasts that dust back into the environment.
When your nasal passages are already dry and irritated, as discussed above, they are especially sensitive to foreign invaders. Allergy symptoms concentrated in the sinuses may be more severe than they would be otherwise if you had better-hydrated nasal passageways.
How To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
We’re not sharing this information to encourage you to forego using your heater this winter. Your home should be a place of comfort, and that means comfortable temperatures. Here are some practical steps you can take to improve the air quality in your home, allowing you to keep the heater on all winter long without suffering from sinus issues.
- Use a humidifier. A simple and effective solution is to add moisture back into the air. The water vapor emitted by the humidifier can also reduce swelling in the nasal passages and provide some relief from congestion.
- Install HEPA air filters. Investing in high-quality air filters for your heating system will remove those allergens from the air, which will reduce irritation in the sinuses and prevent allergy symptoms.
- Schedule professional maintenance. HVAC professionals recommend having your heating system serviced once a year. Doing this will deal with a lot of the dust buildup from the warmer months and check for clogs in the air filter.
How To Treat Sinus Issues
If your sinus issues persist and symptoms are uncomfortable, there are a number of measures you can take to find relief:
- Hydrate yourself. Combat the dry air by keeping your body well-hydrated. Drink lots of water and fluids like tea.
- Saline nasal spray. These over-the-counter remedies moisturize the inside of the nose, reduce inflammation, relieve congestion and flush out irritants.
- Decongestants. Decongestants are also available over the counter, and they, as the name suggests, fight congestion by reducing inflammation.
- See an ENT specialist. If medications aren’t helping and symptoms are chronic, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare professional. They can diagnose if the issue is environmental or structural and prescribe the best treatment plan.
Charleston ENT & Allergy wants you to be warm and sinus issue-free this winter. Call us today to make an appointment or find out more information.