How can an aircon contribute to a sore throat? As the temperature outside continues to rise, air conditioning will be needed to stay calm. An air conditioner is designed to create cold indoor air by removing the surrounding area’s heat. With this cooling system in mind, it is also essential for you and your family to remember that other things can contribute to a sore throat.
Ideally, an aircon can give you a sore throat! It’s true; people have severe throat pain when their aircon is on, or the AC is at a crowded party. Therefore, it may seem like when you leave your Aircon on overnight or to keep a room cool during hot days; it’s not doing any damage. However, that could put your health at risk for infection and environmental illness.
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How an aircon can contribute to a sore throat
You might not know that dust and pollen particles can irritate if lodged under your nose and throat. The constant air flow that comes from the air conditioner might be what is stuck in your throat and causes a sore throat. If the air conditioner is placed directly beside your bed, allergies can also play a role in causing a sore throat.
If you have dust allergies, dust mites invade your skin and find their way into your lungs, which can cause inflammation in certain parts of the mucous membrane. The constant air movement from an air conditioner can cause sneezing as it stirs up dust particles in the air around you.
The air conditioner can pull in the dust and send it throughout your home, leaving it dusty. You might not be able to see this, but you will certainly feel it as it gets lodged into your throat. Many dust particles also tend to stick onto the cold surfaces of an air conditioner, including the remote control that comes with most systems. Most household cleaning products have chemicals that can lead to inflammation in the body.
The constant flow of cold air from an air conditioner can cause irritation and breathing issues if there are chemicals in a particular product you would usually use for cleaning or other chores around the house. An air conditioner can also cause a sore throat when you emit many fine dust particles from your skin.
These particles will stick to the surface of an air conditioner, which can be uncomfortable. The level of humidity in the air may also play a role in causing a sore throat. This is especially true when you are exposed to higher temperatures and cold weather, which will lead to dehydration.
In humid weather, it is easier for particles such as fungus spores or other bacteria to grow and cause irritation in the body. Water vapor pushes humidity levels around people, so if you stay under an air conditioner, your mouth will dry because of the lack of moisture in the air.
Ways how to prevent an aircon from causing a sore throat:
1) Avoid Allergens
The first way to prevent an aircon from causing your throat to ache is by keeping allergens away as best as possible. This is especially important for those who are prone to allergies. If you or someone else in your home has allergies, keep the house free of potential allergens.
This means removing pets from the home and vacuuming as often as possible (at least once a week) to eliminate dust mites and other allergens that can cause congestion. You can even consider investing in a HEPA filter vacuum to prevent allergens, mold, and germs from circulating in the air you breathe.
2) Clean With The Right Tools
Another way to prevent an aircon from causing your throat to ache is by using the right cleaning tools. Aircon filters must be cleaned often, but not all cleaning tools are created equal. Could you resist using a chemical cleaner to keep your aircon filters clean? A vacuum cleaner is one of the safest and most convenient aircon maintenance methods.
All you need to do is attach the vacuum cleaner’s hose to the air-intake grill in front of your air conditioner and then turn on the vacuum cleaner. This will prevent dust from clogging your aircon’s filters, allowing it to run more efficiently by gathering more heat!
You can also use a wet cloth or sponge to clean off dust already settled on its exteriors and a cleaning solution if needed. Ensure you only spray a little liquid directly at the unit, especially when running.
If you are concerned about the dust sucked into the vacuum cleaner, then you can use a commercial solution instead. This can also be used to clean any other household appliances that are prone to collecting dust. These commercial solutions typically have a chemical formula that dissolves dirt but are less aggressive than oven cleaners. If this is too much for you, try DIY solutions.
3) Get A Humidifier
The right humidifier or vaporizer can be another way to prevent an aircon from causing throat pain because it adds moisture to the surrounding environment.
When humidity is low, our mucus membranes tend to dry out and crack, making them more susceptible to infection and irritation. A humidifier will add moisture to the air, which in turn helps keep mucus membranes moist. The result is less irritation and healthier mucus membranes.
4) Get An Air Purifier
You may have heard that there is a debate about whether particles from air purifiers are as harmful as outdoor particles, but they can still be another way to prevent an aircon from causing a sore throat. Air purifiers can help remove potentially dangerous particles. They do not “clean” the air as much as they filter it; HEPA filters often catch larger particles and gases, while ionizers attract smaller ones. This can help keep your throat from being irritated.
5) Take Care Of Your General Health
Even if you take every precaution to avoid infection and illness, your environment contributes to sore throats. The best way to prevent an aircon from causing a sore throat is to stay healthy. This means getting enough sleep and eating right.
How Aircon Can Contribute To A Sore Throat – Conclusion
Being well-rested will boost your immune system, which will keep the likelihood of getting sick lower. Getting enough nutrients in your diet means having a higher energy level, which also increases the health of your immune system, thus preventing infection and illness.
Being proactive is the key to preventing an aircon from causing a sore throat. Using the right cleaning tools, removing allergens, and staying healthy will keep your home safe, helping you breathe better and avoid a sore throat.