Skip to content
Next Episodes
Mon: 7:30pm
Tues: 7:30pm
Classic Episodes
Mon: 1:30pm
Tues: 1:30pm
Turning your central heating on can trigger 7 annoying health conditions, doctor warns Credits: Social Media
By Ellissa Bain

Turning your central heating on can trigger 7 annoying health conditions, doctor warns

By Ellissa Bain

As the colder days begin to draw in, it will soon be time to turn on your central heating, but did you know it can make you unwell?

A doctor has revealed that warming up your home can trigger many annoying health conditions, but there are things you can do to manage them.

Close-up of a woman hands in a pink jumper keeping warm by a heating radiator
Close-up of a woman hands in a pink jumper keeping warm by a heating radiator. Credit: Olga Dobrovolska (Getty Images)

Central heating can trigger 7 health conditions

Dr Neel Patel, a GP from LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor has shared seven conditions to be aware of when turning on your radiators this winter.

1. Headaches

Firstly, it’s easy for your body to become dehydrated in a centrally heated environment, which can lead to headaches and migraines.

2. Asthma

Central heating can make the air inside your home very dry, causing lung conditions like asthma, coughing and shortness of breath.

3. Allergies

Radiators heat air in the room using a process called convection, which also causes dust to circulate, and this can trigger allergies.

4. Sinus infections

The dry atmosphere inside your home can lead to sinus infections too as the air dries out the mucus lining, leading to blocked sinuses.

5. Itchy eyes

Your eyes may feel dry, gritty and itchy when you turn on the heating as the dry air can cause your tears to evaporate too quickly.

6. Skin conditions

Those with eczema or dry, sensitive skin, may notice that the central heating makes it worse as the dry air reduces humidity and causes skin irritation.

7. Nosebleeds

Finally, you may find that you get more nosebleeds as the lack of moisture in the air can result in dryness and scabs inside your nostrils.

Loneliness and break up aftermath. Crying woman with head in hands drinking pills on the kitchen
Crying blonde woman with headache sits hunched over a table, her face filled with sorrow. Water and pills near on the table. Credit: Olga Rolenko (Getty Images)

How to manage these winter health conditions

One of the best ways to manage many of these conditions is to turn the heating down slightly, so it’s not quite as hot in your home.

“Both a room that is too warm and a room that is too cold can be bad for your health so its about finding a balance. 18�C is usually the temperature recommended for bedrooms while 21�C is ideal for living rooms,” Patel said.

It’s also a great idea to buy a humidifier to regulate the amount of water vapour in the air, and remember to drink enough water. People often forget to hydrate during the colder months, but it’s just as important as in the summer.

Finally, moisturising your skin regularly in the winter will alleviate dryness and irritation. Be sure to also stock up on any medication you may need too, such as painkillers for headaches, an asthma pump and allergy tablets.