Dehydration occurs when water and other such fluids in the body are removed, resulting in the organs being stretched and strained more than usual, making a person feel weak, both mentally and physically.
This can stem from not drinking enough water or being outside in extreme heat for too long.
Being aware of the amount of water you are drinking or the temperature outside when you are outdoors are good ways to avoid dehydration. Still, at home, you can go the extra step to keep yourself feeling balanced as well as improve the quality of the air by balancing out the humidity in the air.
There is an important need for a balance of moisture in the air, as low humidity could dehydrate you. At the same time, too much humidity can cause issues with skin, allergies, mold, and even respiratory illnesses.
Dehumidifiers help to remove the excess humidity without removing the fluids from the body.
This means there is little to no chance that you will get dehydrated from using a dehumidifier.
However, if you sleep with one on all night and sleep with your mouth open, you could wake up with a dry, sore throat the next day.
Although it is safe to sleep with a dehumidifier on, you must make sure the device is cleaned regularly and is well maintained.
Can a Dehumidifier Cause Dehydration?
Dehydration, as stated, occurs when the body does not have enough fluid or liquid inside of it.
When this happens, the body struggles to support daily functions, making you feel sick and weak.
While factors such as exposing yourself to severe heat and not drinking enough water can contribute to this, undergoing extreme physical activity can also be a contributing factor.
Those with fevers or diseases like diabetes can also become more susceptible to dehydration.
A dehumidifier’s purpose is to remove any extra moisture in the air when the humidity is higher than a normal level. Even so, there is no connection between dehydration and using a dehumidifier.
Because these machines are made to only get rid of excess moisture in the air, you won’t have to worry about pulling moisture from the body.
Can Using Dehumidifier Cause Skin Dryness?
Sometimes, dry skin cases rarely occur when a person uses a dehumidifier, but this is usually because the dehumidifier is used incorrectly or in the wrong environment.
This includes leaving it on for the entire day during the summer with all of the windows shut.
Remember that the best humidity level for people is between 45 and 50 percent, so the dehumidifier should help you keep that balance in the correct settings instead of going too high or becoming too low.
If you use a dehumidifier in a low-humidity house or area, it could cause dry skin and chapped lips, but ultimately, it will not dehydrate you.
This is one of the main reasons it is recommended that you carefully look over and then follow the directions on the machine when you begin to use it.
So, What Are the Real Causes of Dehydration?
With all the above information in mind, you may now be thinking about the actual causes of dehydration if a dehumidifier isn’t causing the problems…
High humidity, among the other aforementioned reasons, is surprisingly a cause of dehydration as well.
When you are dehydrated, you will not only feel a bit weak and sick, but you will also notice things like a decrease in your energy level, dizziness, dry throat and mouth, and even a change in the color of your urine.
When you become dehydrated, your urine becomes orange or dark yellow, indicating you need more fluids.
Drink plenty of water and allow yourself to rest to help combat this, and if you live in a high humidity environment, get rid of the excess moisture in the air by using a dehumidifier.
Managing Incorrect Humidity Levels with Dehumidifier
As stated, the best humidity level for any given home or room, regardless of location, is between 45 to 50 percent.
You will need to run the dehumidifier to the point where it helps you reach that threshold and pay attention to the readings, so you know when to shut it off.
Remember, if you use it in an area with the wrong overall temperature, it may dry out the whole room.
At this point, choosing the best dehumidifier is very important. If you plan to buy one, here are a few things you may need to do.
- Measure the room where you intend to place a dehumidifier.
- Decide whether space can be considered an open space or an enclosed space.
- Research various brands and models of dehumidifiers based on the information gathered in the first two steps.
- Choose a device with the desired features, such as auto-shut-off or a humidistat.
- Put the dehumidifier in the middle of your room to dehumidify it completely. Be sure it is far away from other items in the room.
Some dehumidifiers come with a humidistat built right in so you can track the room’s humidity at any given time. Make sure to pick the one that comes with this functionality.
Maintain Clean Filters Once Installed
Many dehumidifiers will come with filters in them that help to clean up the air by removing dust particles before it runs through the coils.
The more often you use the dehumidifier, the more you will need to take care of the filter, as it works double time to help purify the air.
If you continue to run a very dirty dehumidifier, you may experience coughing and a worsening of your allergies. This could be due to clogged filters and dirt that need to be removed regularly.
If you do not properly clean the dehumidifier, you could be setting up the perfect environment for mold and bacteria growth.
This is because there are places inside of the device that is damp and warm, making the perfect breeding ground for these sorts of particles, and if it is used daily without proper cleaning, there is a higher chance of growths that could then be spread through the home.
Be sure to maintain a regular cleaning schedule to avoid issues like this.
Also Read: How Long Should You Run Your Dehumidifier Per Day?
Is It Safe to Go to Sleep with a Dehumidifier On?
You can sleep safely with a dehumidifier running, especially if you sleep in a musty room.
The National Sleep Foundation suggests that a person sleeps in a room with a 50 percent humidity level no matter the outside weather.
Keep in mind that high humidity levels can negatively affect your sleep quality and make you feel sweaty and uncomfortable.
Those with breathing issues like asthma or similar respiratory issues may find it particularly hard to sleep in high humidity environments.
Alongside all of its other health benefits, using a dehumidifier may help alleviate issues that arise when sleeping and may leave you feeling healthier overall as you go through your day-to-day.
Few Other Possible Issues
It is important to note there is a risk of other accidents when it comes to using dehumidifiers; the proper use of the machine can mitigate these risks.
Pay attention to your dehumidifier even if you use it properly, as there have been reports of some people having issues with smoke coming out of the top of the machine due to faulty electrical elements, leaking of freon, the liquid that keeps the air cool, or even a fire caused by defects in manufacturing.
Freon is something to look out for specifically.
Freon is commonly used in freezers and refrigerators to keep them cold and is also used in dehumidifiers.
It is safe for use in these machines, but if it leaks, it could be very dangerous to your health and the environment. Those with asthma are especially susceptible to breathing issues if inhaled.
In the event of a freon leak, you must get in touch with a technician straight away so they can fix the problem. Then, get in touch with the manufacturer to check on a warranty.
Safety Suggestions for Using a Dehumidifier
1. Ensure that the unit is plugged directly into a wall outlet instead of an extension cord.
2. Be sure the cord is dry and check it before each use.
3. Try to avoid tripping over the dehumidifier and knocking parts loose.
4. Keep the dehumidifier away from children and pets.
In The End, Could a Dehumidifier Make You Ill?
As mentioned, if you use the dehumidifier improperly, you may notice that your throat hurts and feels dry. You may also feel that your skin is dry as well.
Those are typically the main bodily impacts that come from using a dehumidifier wrong, but you could also notice that it could trigger certain respiratory diseases; however, the risk is generally low and will be easy for you to manage.
To conclude, we can say that using your dehumidifier right will probably not make you feel dehydrated or ill.
In fact, a dehumidifier cannot dehydrate you. It’s high humidity that makes you feel dehydrated most of the time. And using a dehumidifier can easily improve the conditions.
Do not forget to locate the unit in your home and clean it regularly.
Meen Smith is a nurse by profession who loves writing online, spending time with her family and caring for the elderly. She has already worked as an associate editor on various moms, babies, home appliances, kitchen, and healthy living blogs. In her spare time, she also enjoys drawing, reading/writing kindle eBooks and improving her skills a bit.