Why Does My AC Give Me a Sore Throat?

There are worse issues than a sore throat, however when you could have one, it doesn’t really feel prefer it. If in case you have a sore throat within the spring or summer season, there could possibly be a wrongdoer you didn’t consider – the air con or AC.

Folks usually say they expertise a sore throat in the event that they’re in air-conditioned environments too lengthy. Is there any reality to it? And in that case, how might you stop the discomfort with out sweating all summer season lengthy? The professionals at Scottsdale Air are right here with all of the solutions.

Do Air Conditioners Trigger Sore Throats?

Air conditioners blow out cool air, however in addition they maintain your property extra snug one other method – eradicating the humidity. Because of this you’re inhaling dry air all summer season, which might take a toll in your throat, nostril, and ears with out the required moisture.

The aim of the mucus membranes is to filter out micro organism so it could actually’t make it into the physique. If that course of is disrupted, micro organism can get in and have an effect on your ear, nostril, and throat, inflicting irritation and an infection.

Worse nonetheless, in case your air conditioner isn’t working because it ought to, it might make your nostril and throat irritation a lot worse. Chances are you’ll find yourself with a sore throat, a dry throat or mouth, sinusitis, nosebleeds, and itchy eyes or pores and skin.

How Do Air Conditioners Have an effect on Your Throat?

The underside line is that air conditioners don’t immediately trigger sore throats, however there are elements related to their operation and staying indoors that may result in throat discomfort.

Dry Air

As talked about, air conditioners are inclined to take away moisture from the air to create extra snug indoor environments. Whereas an excessive amount of humidity is usually a breeding floor for micro organism – to not point out uncomfortable – an excessive amount of dryness could cause dry and irritated nasal passages and throats. That is very true for individuals with delicate respiratory techniques.

Allergens and Particles

Air conditioners can accumulate mud, pollen, and different allergens of their filters and ducts, particularly should you don’t sustain with air conditioner upkeep. For those who don’t clear your parts and change them as wanted, they construct up mud, filth, and pollen that find yourself circulating in your indoor air. This may result in throat irritation when you have allergy symptoms or bronchial asthma.

Chilly Air

Some individuals are extra delicate to temperature modifications. Going from the recent and humid outside air to chilly indoor air could cause the blood vessels within the throat to constrict, resulting in discomfort and a sore throat. Spending prolonged intervals of time in overly air-conditioned house could make this sense worse.

Insufficient Upkeep

For those who don’t keep your air conditioner, it might maintain extra moisture within the system and will not take away humidity successfully. In consequence, mildew spores and micro organism could be launched into the indoor air, inflicting throat irritation and different points.

Damaged Air Ducts

Any cracks or harm to your ductwork can lead mud and dander to get into your ducts, circulating them again by your indoor air. These contaminants are already in your ducts, so that they aren’t captured by the air filter. The extra irritants you could have in your house, particularly when you have allergy symptoms, the extra irritation you’re prone to expertise.

Improper Set up

In case your air con was put in incorrectly, it might depart your system inclined to points that may contribute to a sore throat, akin to punctures and leaks or broken ductwork. This may trigger areas to stagnate contained in the system, harboring mildew and micro organism. These contaminants get pushed again into the air, irritating your respiratory tract.

Closed Vents

For those who use your system with the vent management closed, it’s unable to keep up the correct air change with the indoor and outside air. This prevents correct airflow and causes elements of the system to stagnate and construct up mildew and micro organism. Ensure your vent controls are all the time open.

Poor Indoor Air High quality

If an air conditioner shouldn’t be correctly maintained, it might not successfully filter the indoor air. This may result in a buildup of pollution, together with unstable natural compounds (VOCs) from family merchandise and cleansing options. This causes not solely a sore throat, however eye irritation, complications, nausea, and allergic pores and skin reactions.

Tips on how to Stop Sore Throats from Air Conditioning

Some individuals could also be extra inclined to sore throats from air con than others, however just a few ideas might help you keep snug in air-conditioned areas.

Preserve Optimum Humidity

In case your air conditioner takes all of the moisture out of the air, you’ll be able to add a humidifier to extend the moisture with out making it hotter. Ideally, your indoor humidity ranges ought to be between 20% and 50% to stop nostril and throat irritation.

Clear or Substitute Air Filters

Your air filters are an enormous a part of your air conditioner’s general operate. Fortuitously, it is a easy activity you’ll be able to carry out by yourself. Ensure to wash or change the air filters recurrently, at the very least each few months, to enhance your indoor air high quality. It will scale back the circulation of allergens and particles that may result in throat discomfort.

Optimum Temperature Settings

Conserving your property too chilly is a surefire strategy to get throat irritation. Whereas air con could make it simpler to calm down within the warmth, setting your property to Arctic temperatures could make the air too chilly and dry in your mucus membranes. Alter your thermostat to see what temperature is sufficient to maintain you cool with out irritation.

Contemplate Air Purifiers

Irrespective of how clear your property is, it’s inevitable that you should have mud, filth, and pollen that may find yourself in your air con unit. Air purifiers geared up with HEPA filters might help take away allergens and particles from the indoor air, enhancing your general air high quality and decreasing the potential for throat irritation.

Flip the Air Off at Night time

Sleeping with the air conditioner on all night time can depart you waking up with congested sinuses and a sore throat. Your physique temperature drops naturally throughout sleep, so that you don’t have to maintain the air operating chilly all night time to sleep comfortably. For those who are typically sizzling whenever you get up, strive sleeping in gentle summer season clothes with only a sheet, moderately than a comforter.

Keep Hydrated

Air conditioners don’t simply dry out your throat. You’ll be able to expertise eye irritation, dry pores and skin, dehydration, complications, and different respiratory issues. Staying hydrated is all the time sensible, but it surely’s much more necessary to remain hydrated whenever you’re spending your time in air-conditioned houses, places of work, and automobiles to stop nasal and throat dryness.

Gargle with Salt Water

If you have already got a sore throat, you’ll be able to stop it from getting worse by gargling with salt water. This soothes irritation and helps you get better from a sore throat sooner and prevents bacterial infections. You may additionally strive saline nasal sprays and nasal irrigation to revive moisture to dry sinus passages.

Common System Upkeep

Your air conditioner could cause a sore throat throughout an extended season, however the danger is greater when it’s not correctly cleaned. Common upkeep ensures that your air conditioner is operating optimally and freed from extra filth, particles, and moisture that may irritate your nostril and throat. Your technician will even verify for any minor repairs that ought to be corrected earlier than the recent, humid days start.

Pay Consideration to Your Signs

Sore throats could also be a standard prevalence in air con throughout the summer season, however don’t be fast to imagine it’s simply from being in cool, dry air. In case your sore throat is persistent, you could have extreme ache or issue swallowing, or expertise a excessive fever, it is best to search medical consideration.

Ought to I Keep away from Utilizing Air Conditioning?

No! Your air con is an important equipment throughout the sizzling summer season months. In truth, the surplus warmth and humidity might even be harmful, particularly if your property isn’t properly insulated in a sizzling local weather.

You don’t have to surrender your air con, however you’ll be able to alleviate the results by ensuring you’re not overdoing it along with your air conditioner and taking all of the humidity out of the air. You also needs to schedule air con service and upkeep to guarantee that soiled air filters or parts aren’t contributing to your sore throat.

Schedule Skilled AC Upkeep from Scottsdale Air

Coping with a sore throat each summer season? If it’s been some time because you’ve had your system maintained, that’s step one. At Scottsdale Air, we provide air con service and upkeep to make sure that your air conditioner is operating easily and effectively.

You’ll be able to schedule a tune-up at any time, however if you wish to make common upkeep a part of your routine, we provide an reasonably priced annual upkeep membership. Our service technicians will examine and clear your system, be certain that every thing is operating because it ought to, and remove small points that may trigger respiratory irritation like cracked ducts or soiled parts.

Is it time in your air conditioner’s annual upkeep? Contact us at Scottsdale Air to schedule your AC service and upkeep appointment!