Do Air Purifiers Dry Out Sinuses?

Let’s sort out the facts about air purifiers, dry air, and your sinuses – do air purifiers really dry them out?

Read on to find out!

Do air purifiers dry out sinuses?

The short answer is that no, under normal circumstances a HEPA air purifier cannot dry out your sinuses. However, if one is used too much, or incorrectly placed, it could indirectly cause problems.

Extended use of an air purifier can lead to circulating dry air which in turn can then cause irritation of the sinuses, nose, and so on.

Note that some types of products such as ozone generators CAN dry out and aggravate your sinuses, throat, eyes, and even more. That’s because they’re generating molecules (ozone) that irritate internal breathing passageways.

How does an air purifier work?

diagram of how an air purifier works

Air purifiers work by filtering out the tiny or even microscopic nasties (also called particulates) that float through our air. Most of the time, this is stuff we don’t want to be breathing in.

The purifier uses a fan to move air through the room, circulating it and moving it through a filter that permanently traps things like dust mite particles, dust, and pet dander. A HEPA filter simply traps particles in its fibers – it doesn’t affect the air itself otherwise.

What causes dry sinuses?

When you breathe in dry air you begin to lose the moisture from your nose. This mucus may not sound very pleasant, but it’s actually part of what keeps your nose comfortable.

We only become aware of the mucus when our nose has too much, or too little. With this layer gone, the inside of your nose dries out, leading to uncomfortable sinuses.

If the air you’re breathing is causing the issue then the air purifier may be able to aggravate your nose or sinuses, making the condition worse due to that (rather than actually causing dry sinuses directly).

Placement of your purifier

Putting a purifier too close to you can cause problems. That drier airflow will go directly into your sinuses rather than moving through the room and regaining moisture.

Generally speaking, most manufacturers recommend placing a purifier about 1-2 feet from a wall or large furniture in order to give it enough room to move air efficiently. In some cases you may need to place it in another part of the room (the other side, for example) or use a lower speed to reduce airflow.

Do air purifiers make air dry?

do air purifiers make air dry

No, a HEPA air filter does not dry the air. They simply circulate the air, move it through a filter to trap particles, and release the air on the other side.

The reason the air purifier may make your air feel dry is because of the way air circulates. Cold air is drier than warm air as it holds less moisture. A high-powered air purifier could move the cool air near you which can make it seem drier.

What should I do if my air is too dry?

recommended humidity level for comfort and humidifiers diagram

When you feel as if the air is uncomfortably dry, you can use a digital temperature & humidity gauge to check the humidity in your home. If it’s not in the range of say 40-50% or so it may be time to use a humidifier.

Humidifiers vaporize water and add it gently to the air in a room, increasing the moisture level (humidity) to a comfortable level. This often is the answer to dry eyes, dry throat, and irritated sinuses.

Doctors often recommend humidifier use for people who suffer from nosebleeds as well.

Grant Williams

About the author

Grant is a professional engineer by trade and has experience with both maintenance and do-it-yourself home projects. He enjoys sharing his expertise & ideas with others to help them improve their comfort and quality of life. Read more »

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