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Humidity & Asthma

Humidity itself may not play a significant role in asthma triggers. However, humidity is an enabler for other asthma triggers to thrive, such as dust mites and mold. Humidity's role in asthma would help to explain why parents report that weather changes trigger asthma.

  1. Exercise Induced Asthma

    • Exercise induced asthma may be triggered by extremes in humidity. Your nose plays an important role in maintaining a consistent humidity level, so when you inhale through your mouth rather than your nose, the dryer inhaled air is a big contrast to the moist air in your lungs.

    Dust Mites

    • Dust mites, which are a known asthma trigger, thrive in warm, humid climates such as inside your house. Increasing humidity with humidifiers or by steam cleaning carpets can improve their chance for survival.

    Mold

    • Mold requires a moist environment to grow, so increased humidity in your house can encourage mold growth. The humidifier itself can harbor mold and aerosolize mold spores, distributing them throughout the house.

    Weather

    • Parents have long recorded correlation between weather changes, including dramatic increases in humidity, and asthma attacks.

    Recommendations

    • The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends maintaining moderate humidity in your house, between 30 and 50 percent. This level of humidity does not contribute to dust mites or mold.

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