You Can’t See It, But You Can Feel It: What Is Humidity Doing to Your Body?
Humidity, the amount of moisture in the air, has effects on your health, too. The moisture that makes the air feel thick and your hair go flat even on its best day, the heaviness outside that makes you feel sticky and the air feel even hotter—that’s humidity.
According to UPMC, humidity makes the temperature outside feel higher because your sweat is slower to evaporate. Because of this, humidity can cause the body to overheat and exhaust easily, and put your health in danger.
The effects that humidity has on your body have to do with how you regulate your internal temperature. As you heat up, you sweat. The sweat evaporates from your skin, and you feel cooled. When the air is humid, your sweat can’t evaporate, which is why you feel hot and sticky.
To regulate your temperature, your body has to work even harder, causing excessive sweating, increased rate and depth of blood circulation, and increased respiration, according to UPMC.
UPMC also mentions the repercussions of excessive sweating, such as loss of water and other chemicals your body needs to function. High levels of moisture in the air can cause feelings of low energy and lethargy, as well as “hyperthermia,” or overheating as a result of your body’s inability to effectively let out heat. Other health risks UPMC categorizes as results from overexposure to humidity include:
- Heat stroke
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Fainting
To avoid these health risks, UPMC recommends taking frequent breaks and hydrating often when exposed to humid weather. Older adults and young children should have access to locations with air conditioning because they are at higher risk. Be aware of the common symptoms of heat stroke, including headaches, confusion, and vomiting. Seek medical attention immediately if you or a loved one experiences them or any of the above conditions.