Have you ever gotten the sensations of dry or itchy nostril while the one is runny, especially when you are about to sleep? If so then probably you are having bad sinuses which are caused by a virus or bacteria in some cases. The inflammation is caused within the cavities of your skull. This can be treated through medication or some external means like salt lamps and air purifiers. However, there is a misconception that purifying devices trigger the sinus. Do air purifiers cause sinus problems? In this blog, you will find out. So, let’s get started.
Sinus; An Overview
The hollow cavities in the skull are the connected systems for the sinus, causing discomfort in the forehead, eyes, and headaches. This is a result of colds or allergies but, there are some air purifiers that can trigger the problem.
Problematic Areas of Sinus
Here are the areas that are affected by the sinus problem.
- Maxillary sinuses; on the cheekbones (this one is the largest one)
- Over the forehead; low-center
- Ethmoid; in the middle of the eyes
- Behind the nose bone; Sphenoid Sinuses
Do Air Purifiers Cause Sinus Problem?
When the mucus backs upwards due to the blockage in the nasal passage, this gives and makes the bacteria grow and become out of control.
In a nutshell, air purifiers are not the reason for causing sinus allergies.
However, if you have a high-quality air purifier, there might be other possible reasons which includes
- Heavy carpeting which is not vacuumed
- Have dust in your room; furniture or fan
- Air purifier is not located right
- When the air purifier is not big enough to provide complete coverage
- You might be sitting next to the purifying device
You have to keep in mind that for making your air purifier work properly, you must maintain the cleanliness of your house at your end—an air purifier can remove the pollutants but cannot clean the house.
Do air purifiers help with nasal congestion?
Nasal congestion is indeed a painful experience that can be triggered by the air pollutants like mold, dust, pet dander, and smoke. Many air purifiers remove the tiniest particles from the air because HEPA filters and recirculates them in the air.
The nasal congestion can be triggered by the air purifiers that are either electronic or the ones that generate ozone in the air (activated carbon or ionizer).
This is actually harmful to people specifically those who are suffering from respiratory issues.
Are there any side effects of an air purifier?
Like everything, an air purifier comes with some side effects as well though the core of them is to keep and purify the air of surroundings. The side effects may include
- Sinus press
- Coughing
- Sore or itchy throat
- Irritated allergies
- Aggravated asthma
- Headaches
- Bronchial issues
- Nose bleeding
- Dry mouth and
- Other breathing problems
All of these issues are caused only if the air purifier is not placed at the right position also, with the climatic conditions as well.
Note: To cope with the air pollutants and maintain the right amount of dryness, you can get an air purifier and humidifier combo that will uphold the balance.
FAQs
1. Will an air purifier help with nosebleeds?
Air purifiers clean the air by removing pollutants from the air by operating in regular cycles. This tends to make the air dry which is more likely to trigger or worsen the nosebleed especially if it is placed in the wrong position.
Make sure that the air purifier is placed right, in the area where there is proper ventilation to maintain the right amount of moisture.
2. Can I place an air purifier at my nightstand?
Placing the air purifier at the right place is significant as it can cause a worse impact not on health but also will cost you a lot of money. It must not be placed too far or too near (restricting the exposure to dry air can be beneficial for some).
If you put your purifier near your face, you might get cool air at night but can bring along consequences like dry throat, nose bleeding, etc.
It is recommended to place your air purifier 5 to 10 feet away from your face and avoid a direct blow on your face.
3. Does an air purifier cause dry throat?
Yes, it does. If the air purifier is not placed at the right position then there are chances that it can make your throat dry and itchy and also more likely to make your nose bleed. If you feel getting hot and sweaty, placing it near your face then do not forget to turn on the auto-shut-off option in your device.
Set it to turn it down in the middle of the night or after three hours making your sleep sound and comfortable.
4. Can I put my air purifier on all night?
The answer to this is yes you can but probably you should not. An air purifier, in general, can run for 12 hours straight day or night with or without intervals. However, it can only be beneficial if it is located in the right place.
The features of the light night light and quiet mode are added specifically to provide you with a sound sleep but it can dry out your eyes, throat, and itchy skin.
If you want to put your air purifier on then make sure it is placed where it is proper ventilation, 10 feet maximum away from you.
Summing it Up
An air purifier is not a device that usually causes allergies as their purifying the air is the core reason for having one at home. However, they are more likely to cause dryness of air due to the recirculation of air in the room.
This can only cause irritation and worst-case scenario, they can cause nose bleeding or triggering sinus. To prevent such issues, it is recommended to place your air purifier at the right place or get the device which is an air purifier and dehumidifier to maintain the balance.