5 Physical Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality

When it's cold outside, your first instinct may be to retreat indoors for comfort. However, the air inside could be causing just as much damage as what it's doing to you outdoors. Your hair, skin, face, nose and throat can all become dry and irritated from the forced warm air in your home. Luckily, there are many steps you can take to remain comfortable and looking your best all year long. Here's how to solve each of the issues that cold, dry air can present.

1. Dry Skin
Flaky, dry skin comes with the territory of winter. For the next few months, you may find yourself needing to use more lotion than ever before, only to awake to more dry patches of skin the next day. Help prevent and soothe scaly skin by keeping the moisture levels in your home balanced. Run the HEPA-Type Air Purifier Mini Tower for comforting steam that combats dry skin and keeps it soft and smooth despite the harsh outside conditions.  

2. Brittle Hair
Dry air can cause your hair to lose its moisture and make it look dull and lifeless. Your scalp also suffers from the lack of moisture, which can result in unsightly dandruff. Keep your hair and scalp moisturized to restore shine and keep flakes where they belong - outside in the snow.

3. Chapped Lips
Just as dry air can cause flaky skin, it can take a similar toll on your sensitive lips, which are usually the softest spots on your face. Not only are flaky lips unsightly, but they can also be painful and cause bothersome cuts and cracks. Soothe chapped lips by scrubbing them with a toothbrush covered in petroleum jelly and regularly applying lip balm for upkeep. Running a humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep can also help create a moisturized environment to soothe dry lips. 

4. Dull Complexion
When you wake up in the morning with a dull complexion, the dry air in your room may be to blame. Always include moisturizer as part of your skincare regimen, even if you have naturally oily skin. Dry air can zap your skin's moisture, and since your face is constantly exposed, it's especially susceptible to issues with air quality.

5. Cold-Like Symptoms
A sore throat and stuffy or runny nose can be the result of many different issues, but one reason could be the air quality in your bedroom. When the air is dry, your body compensates by producing excessive moisture in the form of mucus. This can cause cold-like symptoms that can do a number on your nasal and throat passageways. Be sure to increase your fluid intake to stay hydrated and use throat lozenges or cough drops to soothe irritation caused by the air. Steam can also help alleviate these symptoms, so while long showers may not be the best idea for your skin, it's helpful when it comes to your nose and throat.