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Health Effects Of Using AC In Winter

Winter is an enjoyable season, only if you are all prepared to face the climate. But, at the same time, there are many common doubts that can haunt you regarding keeping yourself safe and healthy.

If you are one among those people who use AC full time by changing it to the winter settings, you have to know that it can cause many health effects. You may have many reasons to switch on your AC during the winter season. It can be dehumidifying your room, keeping your room warm by changing the settings or to condition the air.

Winter season itself is a risk for your health due to the temperature change outside. Using an AC will increase to this risk further. Knowing the health effects of using AC during winter is more important, if you have children at home.

While you can manage the use of an AC in your home during winter, the case is different with people who have to use AC continuously in their workplace. Using AC in winter can cause many health problems ranging from dry skin to respiratory difficulties.

Here, we will discuss more about the various health effects of using an AC during winter.

Asthma

Asthma

During winter, chances are more that you will face more asthma-like symptoms while using an AC. You may not use the AC too often during winter. This will cause dust and dirt to accumulate inside the equipment and it will further circulate when you switch it on. This is one of the most important health effects of using an AC during winter.

Allergies

Allergies

The accumulation of dust will be more during the winter season due to the infrequent use of an AC. Your AC can have accumulated allergens like pollen grains, dust or animal hair. Therefore, using of an AC, especially during the winter season, can cause many allergies.

Dry Skin

Dry Skin

Winter itself will make your skin prone to dryness. Using an AC during winter will aggravate the condition. Dry air and cool wind can make your skin dry. Air from the AC will strip off all moisture from your skin, making it more scaly in nature. The cold climate outside and the AC settings inside will together contribute to skin dryness.

Infections

Infections

Using AC during winter will increase the indoor pollutants. This can cause the growth of bacteria, fungus and viruses. If you are having a central air unit, you are under more risk, as this unit can not bring fresh air from outside to the room. Since winter season is a good condition for the bacteria and fungus to grow, using AC during winter can increase their circulation.

Itching

Itching

Most people who use AC even in winter complain of an itching sensation. This is more among the people who work in offices, where they cannot control the already set AC temperature. Itching is mainly due to dry skin caused by cool air. Dryness and itching of nasal passages are also common during the winter season, which can further increase with the use of an AC.

Dehydration

Dehydration

During winter, you may change the temperature setting of your AC to remove the humidity from your room. This will ultimately result in dehydration, if you are using an AC in this setting for a long time. This is one of the serious health effects of using an AC during a winter season.
Therefore, knowing the health issues that can occur due to the use of an AC in winter can help you to take the necessary precautions beforehand.

Story first published: Monday, January 11, 2016, 15:48 [IST]
Read more about: wellness