Is your baby reacting to dry indoor air?
Heaters and low humidity can affect their breathing, sleep and comfort in winter. Here’s what you should know – and can do.
Humidity – the amount of water or moisture air holds – depends on the temperature of the air. As the temperature goes down in winter, the air is able to hold less moisture. Dry or low-humidity air can then affect your little one’s health in many ways, especially if they have asthma or allergies. Heaters in your home raise the temperature but also dry the air.
“Low humidity can cause respiratory issues, nose bleeds, dry skin, eczema flare ups, itchy eyes, coughing, disturbed sleep and frequent infections,” says Dr Natasha Padayachee-Govender, who leads a specialist paediatrics practice based at Life Fourways Hospital.
The lack of moisture in the air dries out baby’s mucous membranes so they are less able to act as a natural filter, which can cause or worsen a stuffy nose, and for a baby with asthma, lead to tighter airways. It also dries out their skin, which is still developing, causing irritation, itchiness, chapped cheeks and cracked lips, and worsening conditions like eczema.
Irritation in their nose and throat can lead to a dry, hacking cough, resulting in to broken, poor-quality sleep, says Dr Padayachee-Govender. And because their nasal passages are too dry to properly filter viruses and bacteria, baby is more at risk of getting sick. They are also exposed to more air contaminants, because dry air allows dust, allergens and other particles to remain in the air longer.
A review of 37 studies in the journal PLOS ONE concluded that humidity can have a significant impact on child health, “especially for climate-sensitive infectious diseases, diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory system diseases, and paediatric allergic diseases”.
While dry air can be harmful, so can air with excessive humidity, turning it into a breeding ground for mould, dust mites and other potential allergens which can affect baby’s fragile lungs.
How to manage dry indoor air this winter
“Maintaining a balanced humidity level can be an important prevention measure when it comes to babies’ health,” says Dr Padayachee-Govender.
Relative humidity compares the actual amount of water in the air to the amount it can hold, and good humidity is between 35 and 50 percent. To establish the humidity in your home, and especially in your baby’s room, you can use a device called a hygrometer, which can then be used to monitor daily variations, so you are able to act at the right time.
If it shows the air is too dry, invest in a humidifier if possible, to release water vapour in your home and raise humidity levels, she says. There are two types – cool-mist, which use cold water, and warm-mist, which heat the water and release the moisture as steam, helpful for keeping air clean. “The American Academy of Paediatrics advises against using warm-mist humidifiers around babies because of the risk of burns,” she says.
Always use clean, fresh water for a humidifier, replace filters as recommended, and clean them after each use (or at least once a week) in an area that is well-ventilated, to prevent buildup of mould and bacteria. Place the humidifier about a metre from your little one’s crib or bed, preferably in the centre of the room, so moisture is evenly distributed without blowing directly on them.
If you don’t have a humidifier, place a bowl of water near a safely-positioned radiator, or hang damp towels in the room to increase humidity. (Oil-filled radiators will not dry the air as severely as fan heaters.)
Other ways you can counter dry air are to regularly apply moisturising baby lotions to prevent dry skin, and to keep baby well hydrated. “Ensure they are adequately fed, whether on breastmilk or formula,” says Dr Padayachee-Govender. “If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying conditions.”
IMAGE: freepik.com