Prolonged use of AC may increase risk of dry skin and asthma attacks: Doctors

While air conditioning (AC) offers relief during scorching summers, Prolonged use of AC can lead to various health issues, including skin and respiratory problems, doctors have warned.

In rapidly urbanizing areas, more people are using ACs to escape the heat. ACs work by cooling the air and reducing humidity.

However, prolonged exposure to AC can cause dry, flaky skin, headaches, dry cough, dizziness, nausea, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and sensitivity to odours, said Suhas H S, a consultant pulmonologist at Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru.

Prolonged AC use can also worsen respiratory diseases like allergic rhinitis and asthma, and increase the risk of infections if the AC is not well-maintained, Suhas added.

Experts recommend avoiding extended exposure to cold air. “The problem with air conditioning is that many units lack proper filtration. Ideal HEPA filters are recommended but are only found in a few high-quality AC brands. Without these, filters can get clogged by pollution, raising the risk of infections,” explained M Wali, a senior consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

The risk is higher in commercial HVAC systems than in-home AC units, said Satish Koul, Senior Director at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram. He noted that certain bacteria can form biofilms on cooling coils, potentially leading to infections in people exposed to ACs for long periods. One such infection is Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia caused by bacteria in contaminated HVAC systems.

Sudden transitions from hot environments to cold AC rooms can also cause bronchoconstriction, or narrowing of the airways, especially in people with asthma, Wali added. Doctors advise regular cleaning of AC filters and switching off AC units every two hours to minimize health risks.

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