allergyIt manifests in various forms (such as eczema, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, etc.), and Dr. L has written many different...this articleTo provide new medical knowledge, this time we will further discuss the details of environmental factors for people with nasal allergies.
A healthy person's nasal cavity can regulate the temperature and humidity of inhaled air to the level required by the alveoli (approximately 901 TP3T regulatory efficiency). However, in patients with allergic rhinitis, the ability to warm and humidify inhaled air is impaired due to swelling of the nasal mucosa and narrowing of the airways. Many people with chronic nasal allergies have experienced this: when the weather changes drastically, the environment changes significantly, or even just getting out of the room upon waking, their nose starts running like a faucet, or they start sneezing uncontrollably. In severe cases, this can happen daily, requiring medication to temporarily suppress the symptoms. What underlying factors can we more carefully adjust?
References are expected to be published in a prestigious international journal in 2026. Building and Environment LatestpaperTheir research team conducted an in-depth analysis of the differences in indoor thermal comfort between patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and healthy subjects. The key points are summarized below:
According to the experimental data, there were significant differences between the two groups in their preferences and tolerance ranges for temperature and humidity:
| project | Patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) | healthy subjects | Differential narrative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral temperature | 23.7 °C | 22.7 °C | AR patients prefer warmer environments (+1.0 °C). |
| Acceptable temperature range | 20.2–26.6 °C | 18.2–28.0 °C | AR patients have a narrow tolerance range |
| Neutral relative humidity (RH) | 31.9% | 41.7% | AR patients prefer environments with lower humidity. (-9.8 %) |
| Upper Humidity Limit (RH) | 56.0% | 70.7% | AR patients are more sensitive to high humidity environments and have a significantly lower tolerance limit. |
▌temperature:
Patients with allergic rhinitis have a narrower temperature tolerance range and are more sensitive to colder air (neutral temperature is 1 °C higher than that of healthy subjects).
▌humidity:
Although dry air can dehydrate the nasal mucosa and increase the risk of infection and inflammation, patients with allergic rhinitis also dislike excessively humid environments (neutral humidity is 9.8 % lower than that of healthy subjects, and the upper limit of humidity is only 56 %).
🩺 Dr. L's Overall Review: This paper provides us with more quantitative reference data and corroborates that patients with nasal allergies do indeed have lower tolerance for environmental temperature and humidity than healthy subjects. Dr. L often mentions in his clinic that "environmental risk factors often unconsciously affect us every day." Imagine if an allergy patient were in an environment with temperature and humidity that easily triggers rhinitis all day long; it would be even more difficult for them to cure their allergies. Therefore, we need to provide comprehensive quantitative intervention methods to achieve more efficient and complete treatment, which is why this paper is so important.
Note: Taiwan is generally hot and humid.Dr. L usually recommends keeping the adjustable humidity setting on in the patient's home as much as possible.Dehumidifier ((Approximately 45-55 %, avoid running it for too long to prevent excessive dryness), ensure that the indoor relative humidity is not too high, and adjust the temperature according to the seasonal temperature by turning on the air conditioner/heater..
〈The author is former Attending Physician in National Taiwan University Hospital, and Master of Science from National Taiwan University〉