Winter respiratory problems: smog, dry air and what we can do

For many people with asthma or allergies, winter is not a break but quite the opposite: cold, smog and the dry air of heated homes put a strain on the airways. In this article we explain what lies behind winter complaints and what you can do to breathe more easily.

Why is breathing harder in winter?

1. Smog and particulate matter

In winter, heating (especially wood and coal heating, and burning waste) and traffic increase the amount of particulate matter in the air. On cold, windless days the polluted air gets trapped near the ground: this is winter smog. Fine particles (PM10, PM2.5) get deep into the airways and irritate them. People with asthma or COPD, children and older people are especially sensitive.

2. Cold, dry outdoor air

Cold air on its own can trigger bronchial narrowing in sensitive people. That is why some people start coughing when they come in from the cold or go running in cold weather.

3. Heated, dried-out indoor air

Heating often lowers the humidity in a home below 30%. A dried-out mucous membrane cleans itself less effectively and gets irritated more easily.

4. We spend more time indoors

We air our homes less often, so indoor allergens (dust mites, mould, animal dander) build up, and viruses spread more easily.

Practical tips for the winter months

• Follow the air quality: based on official air quality data (in Hungary, the national air quality monitoring network, OLM), avoid spending long periods outdoors on smoggy days, especially strenuous exercise.
• Air your home wisely: briefly and thoroughly, ideally when pollution is lower.
• Humidify in moderation: the aim is 40–60% humidity. Over-humidifying encourages mould and dust mites, so it is worth getting a cheap hygrometer.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf in very cold weather. This makes the air you breathe in warmer and moister.
• Have your heating system properly maintained, and do not burn waste.
• Get the seasonal vaccinations, if your doctor recommends them.
• If you have asthma, discuss a winter action plan with your doctor, and use your preventer medication consistently.

Where does a salt climate come in?

Many people with asthma and allergies like to use a home salt generator in winter, because time in a salt climate feels pleasant and "fresh", and breathing feels easier. A few thoughts on realistic expectations:

• A salt generator is not an air purifier and does not filter smog particles out of the air. That is what an air purifier with a HEPA filter is for.
• The effect of salt therapy on the airways has not been clearly confirmed by large studies, so it is best seen as a complementary option that supports wellbeing.
• A salt climate does not replace prescribed medication in winter either.
• Do not use it when you have a cold or a fever; wait until you have recovered.

Read more about home use in this article.

When to see a doctor

If in winter you need your fast-acting inhaler more often, wake up at night coughing, or your breathlessness gets worse, it may mean your condition is deteriorating. Do not wait; talk to your doctor about adjusting your treatment.

This article is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. AREC salt generators are not medical devices.