Considering a move to CO - nosebleed, dry air concerns (Ovid: house, live)

[dozener]

I see nosebleeds and the effects of dry air on health mentioned online. Is it really a big concern? Does it impact day to day life much? I don't see such concerns mentioned much about Phoenix, LV or SLC

[jim9251]

Humidity can lower to 4% I moved here from the south and it took me about 3 weeks to get used to the altitude, I love the dry air, except now during this heat wave. Drink LOTS of water, and if your nose is a problem a saline nasal spray might help.

[interloper1138]

In my experience it all depends on the individual. I moved to Colorado from Indiana over five years ago. I absolutely love the dry climate here, but as the years have gone on I've had more frequent nosebleeds each year. This year I've had around 6 or 7 big nosebleeds. That said, I don't have AC nor do I regularly use a humidifier in my home. I feel like if I did my nosebleeds would be less frequent. Prior to moving out west I maybe had one nosebleed a year.

When my mom visits, even if it's only for a few days, she's guaranteed to have at least one nosebleed. One of my best friends suffered from extreme nosebleeds the entire time he visited. My other family members and friends haven't had that issue when they've come to visit, though.

Overall this does not impact my daily life, though. I honestly don't even think about it until it happens. I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from being here.

That said, the impact just seems to depend on the person (and probably other health factors I'm not aware of).

[LHS79]

Originally Posted by interloper1138

In my experience it all depends on the individual. I moved to Colorado from Indiana over five years ago. I absolutely love the dry climate here, but as the years have gone on I've had more frequent nosebleeds each year. This year I've had around 6 or 7 big nosebleeds. That said, I don't have AC nor do I regularly use a humidifier in my home. I feel like if I did my nosebleeds would be less frequent. Prior to moving out west I maybe had one nosebleed a year.

When my mom visits, even if it's only for a few days, she's guaranteed to have at least one nosebleed. One of my best friends suffered from extreme nosebleeds the entire time he visited. My other family members and friends haven't had that issue when they've come to visit, though.

Overall this does not impact my daily life, though. I honestly don't even think about it until it happens. I certainly wouldn't let it stop me from being here.

That said, the impact just seems to depend on the person (and probably other health factors I'm not aware of).

You MUST use a humidifier in the winter here. Your health depends on it!

When the furnace is on in the winter, humidity levels in the home can drop by a minimum of 10%.

Dry air can lead to sore throats, chafed nasal passages and dry skin, especially for little ones.

If you have nice furniture (not the starter furniture that AFW sells) it may start to crack if the humidity is low.

And anytime you touch metal objects like door knobs you will get nice little shocks all the time.

[interloper1138]

Originally Posted by LHS79

You MUST use a humidifier in the winter here. Your health depends on it!

When the furnace is on in the winter, humidity levels in the home can drop by a minimum of 10%.

Dry air can lead to sore throats, chafed nasal passages and dry skin, especially for little ones.

If you have nice furniture (not the starter furniture that AFW sells) it may start to crack if the humidity is low.

I generally have only used mine during winter in my bedroom at night, though not consistently. Now that I'm working entirely from home due to COVID I may invest in a larger unit for the winter, though.

No nice 'crackable' furniture to worry about in my house.

[COcheesehead]

Humidifiers help a lot in winter. You can’t run them in summer, the A/C will fight against it.
Get one that runs without the furnace on. There are plenty sunny days where the furnace may not run, but you still want to humidify the air in winter.

[Mike from back east]

Nosebleeds generally result from the dry air which causes sinus tissue to dry out, crack and bleed.

I have the usual saline spray and I keep a box of tampons around in case of a real gusher. Smaller bleeds can be pretty well stopped with Afrin nasal spray as it constricts blood vessels and stops bleeding.

[BarryK123]

Originally Posted by LHS79

You MUST use a humidifier in the winter here. Your health depends on it!

I disagree.

When I lived in PA, I installed a whole house humidifier because it felt necessary.

Here, I have no issues with dryness in winter, or otherwise. Guess I've adapted to it.

[hikernut]

I seem to have fewer issues in Phoenix that I did in Colorado. I've assumed it is because of the difference in outdoor winter temperatures. Cool outdoor air comes into the house, and when warmed up you end up with a pretty low relative humidity. This effect should be more pronounced in Colorado, since the outdoor air tends to be quite a lot colder and therefore cannot hold as much moisture.

That's my theory, anyway. We don't have a hydrometer so I don't have any actual data.

[LHS79]

Originally Posted by interloper1138

I generally have only used mine during winter in my bedroom at night, though not consistently. Now that I'm working entirely from home due to COVID I may invest in a larger unit for the winter, though.

No nice 'crackable' furniture to worry about in my house.

Should have said "antique" furniture (!). Have seen that happen here before.

Newer stuff probably does not have that problem (unless it is from AFW).