Physical Symptoms of High Humidity and How It Affects the Body

High humidity, or high moisture levels in the air, is a common environmental condition, especially during the hot summer months.  The physical symptoms of high humidity can affect how the body feels and functions, especially when combined with high temperatures. High humidity levels make it harder for the body to cool itself. It can also make it difficult to breathe comfortably.

This can be a particular concern in parts of Texas, including Houston and the Gulf Coast, where high humidity can lead to adverse health effects.

What Does High Humidity Mean?

Humidity refers to the concentration of water vapor present in the air. Weather reports list relative humidity, which is the amount of water vapor currently present as a percentage of the maximum possible humidity at the current temperature.?

When humidity levels rise, it’s harder for your body to cool itself. The body’s natural cooling mechanism is sweating. The moisture from sweat coats your skin, then evaporates, cooling you. When the air already contains a high level of moisture, sweat can’t evaporate as well, and the body can’t cool itself efficiently.

For indoor air, humidity levels of 30% to 50% are considered ideal, and anything over 60% humidity is considered high.

Outdoors, humidity levels up to 50% are fine for most activities. Humidity over 50% is noticeable and might feel sticky or muggy. Humidity above 70% is very uncomfortable and can affect how well your body cools itself.

How High Humidity Causes Health Problems

The effects of high humidity can make you feel overheated and unwell. Not only does humidity have effects on the human body, but it can also have effects on the environment around you in ways that impact your health.

• Sweat evaporation: High levels of moisture in the air prevent sweat from evaporating. This can trap heat in your body, making you feel even hotter.
• Dehydration: Feeling hotter makes you sweat even more. Increased sweating leads to fluid and salt loss, which can cause symptoms such as cramps and dizziness.
• Joint pain: Water retention and tissue swelling can increase joint stiffness and discomfort.
• Allergen growth: Humid conditions promote the development of mold, mildew, dust mites, and pollen. These are all allergens that can cause high-humidity allergy symptoms, such as itchy eyes, nasal congestion, and other respiratory problems.

Health Symptoms of High Humidity

Any amount of exertion in very humid conditions can lead to overheating. When humidity climbs to levels between 80 and 90%, you may start to feel physical symptoms associated with heat-related illness, including:

• Fatigue and weakness: As your body works harder to try to cool down, you may feel your energy levels drop. You may feel like you need to rest more quickly than you would in milder weather.
• Muscle cramps: Sweating causes you to lose electrolytes like sodium and potassium quickly. Without sufficient amounts of these critical nutrients, your muscles can’t work efficiently and may start to cramp.
• Breathing difficulties: Increased levels of allergens can lead to irritation and inflammation in your airways. You may have symptoms such as congestion, a runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, or coughing.
• Skin issues: When sweat lingers on the skin instead of evaporating, you may start to feel sticky, and your clothes may become damp and clingy. This can cause heat rash and itching. It may also exacerbate eczema or acne.
• Dizziness and headaches: Excessive sweating can lead to dehydration and headaches.
• Nausea: Nausea or queasiness is a common symptom of dehydration and may be an early sign of heat exhaustion.

Symptoms of High Humidity Inside the Home

Retreating to a climate-controlled environment is usually one of the first things you should do if you’re experiencing adverse effects from outdoor heat and humidity. However, very humid indoor air can also cause health problems.?

Trapped moisture can cause problems throughout your home, leading to moisture accumulating in furniture, carpets, and even drywall. You may notice condensation on windows or tiles in your living space. Indoor humidity and lingering dampness can lead to mold and mildew growth. Dust mites thrive in damp conditions, which can further affect indoor air quality.

Living in a damp environment with high levels of allergens and other irritants can make your whole family feel sick. Symptoms of high humidity in the home may include respiratory symptoms, fatigue, or skin irritation from dampness and allergens. Running dehumidifiers and air conditioners can reduce indoor humidity and improve the conditions in your home.

Get Heat and Humidity-Related Care for You and Your Family

If the heat and humidity of central or coastal Texas are causing symptoms of dehydration and heat-related illnesses, such as muscle cramps, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue, you should visit an urgent care facility and speak with a healthcare professional. They can determine whether the hot, muggy conditions are the cause of your symptoms, provide the care you need to feel better, and help you prevent future health effects from high humidity.

If you are going to urgent care because you’ve been exposed to mold, they can help you identify if mold is the most likely cause of your symptoms and provide some symptom relief, but they will refer you elsewhere for complete testing and treatment.

Health effects from heat and humidity can lead to a serious condition called heatstroke. If you have signs of heatstroke, you should seek emergency care at a hospital or call 911. Heatstroke can be life-threatening if it’s not treated right away.

Symptoms include:

• Elevated body temperature
• Flushed skin
• Mental changes like confusion, agitation, slurred speech, or irritability
• Change in sweating pattern
• Nausea and vomiting
• Rapid breathing
• Racing heartbeat
• Headache
• Signs of dehydration and high blood pressure

If you’re concerned about humidity and health, the team at Next Level Urgent Care can help. We offer same-day care for heat-related illness and other urgent healthcare concerns.

Contact us today for prompt help from one of our trained healthcare professionals. You can walk into any of our 45+ clinic locations across Austin, Beaumont, Houston, and San Antonio from 9 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week. You can also get in line using the Next Level mobile app today and skip the waiting room.