While sinus problems aren’t usually severe, there’s no question that they can be extremely unpleasant. You may be suffering from dry nasal passages that bleed at the slightest provocation, or stuffy, blocked sinuses that cause painful headaches and make it difficult to breathe.
Looking for the source of your discomfort and wondering whether your air purifier might be the culprit? Find out everything you need to know about how air purifiers affect the sinuses in this article.
Sinus problems can be caused by a number of different factors. Humidity, for one, can have a significant impact on sinuses. Particularly in winter in colder climates, indoor heating can really dry out the air and make it difficult for our nasal passages to stay lubricated. This can lead to irritation, discomfort, nosebleeds and more.
Airborne irritants such as allergens and chemicals are often at the root of sinus problems. This category includes many types of particles that are common in homes and difficult to avoid entirely. Particularly for those with sinus and/or respiratory tract sensitivity, inhaling these contaminants can easily cause inflammation and congestion.
It goes without saying that infections and illnesses can also wreak havoc on our sinuses.
Air purifiers use a fan to pull air in from the room and pass it through some type of purification mechanism, which may include HEPA filters, activated carbon or a UV disinfection process. Once the air has been cleansed, they release it back into the room.
Do air purifiers dry out the air?
Air purifiers do not dry out the air. In fact, they don’t affect indoor humidity levels at all. They simply circulate the air and remove contaminants. Depending on the placement of the air purifier, the air may feel a little dry if the fan is blowing too close to you, but it won’t actively affect humidity. If you think dry air in your home is causing your sinus problems, consider investing in a humidifier to add some moisture to the space.
Air purifiers don’t cause sinus problems. In fact, they can actually help if the problems are caused by airborne irritants. Air purifiers filter out the dust, pollen and dander that may be triggering your allergies and inflaming your sinuses. Some types of air purifiers can also trap or degrade VOCs, paint fumes and other irritants. Residential UV air purifiers can even deactivate viruses and bacteria in order to lower your risk of getting sick!
Your air purifier may not be at the root of your sinus problems, but it’s a good idea to find out what is. Particularly if your symptoms are severe, consider discussing your situation with a medical professional to get to the bottom of what’s causing your discomfort.
If you’re interested in reducing the amount of airborne irritants in your home and breathing cleaner air, consider investing in a UV light air purifier from Sanuvox. We offer a range of large room and whole house air purifiers that are designed to destroy harmful microorganisms, degrade chemicals and improve air quality. Contact us today!