Feeling unwell after using air conditioning? Here are several protection methods to help-瞭望新时代网-瞭望时代，放眼世界

Feeling unwell after using air conditioning? Here are several protection methods to help

2026-07-02

Many people experience symptoms such as headaches, nasal congestion, and joint pain caused by air conditioning during summer, a condition commonly referred to as "air conditioning sickness." Strictly speaking, the term "air conditioning sickness" does not appear in medical textbooks; it is a general term for a cluster of symptoms, primarily driven by three underlying causes. 1. Excessive temperature difference, leaving the body unable to adapt. Summer outdoor temperatures often exceed 35°C, while indoor air conditioning rooms may be set to 22–24°C, creating a temperature gap of over 10°C. The human body’s most comfortable temperature change range is typically 5–7°C. Frequent transitions between indoor and outdoor environments cause blood vessels and muscles to repeatedly contract and expand, leading to headaches, neck and shoulder stiffness, and even gastrointestinal dysfunction. 2. Overly dry air, causing mucous membranes to crack. Air conditioning removes a large amount of moisture from the air during cooling, often reducing indoor humidity to below 30%. According to China’s Indoor Air Quality Standard (GB/T 18883-2022), the recommended comfortable humidity range for humans is 40%–80%. Dry air dries out and weakens the nasal and throat mucous membranes, compromising their barrier function and allowing viruses and bacteria to enter more easily. 3. Poor air circulation, enabling pollutants to "gather." With air conditioning on, many people keep windows closed all day, leading to a gradual rise in indoor carbon dioxide levels, which causes dizziness and fatigue. A more serious issue stems from the air conditioning unit itself: a survey on the hygiene of household air conditioners found that over 80% of uncleaned units contained bacteria and mold. These microorganisms are dispersed into the room by the ventilation system, potentially triggering allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other conditions. Create a "buffer zone" when entering or leaving air-conditioned spaces. Research shows that when moving from hot outdoor environments indoors, passing through transitional spaces like hallways, lobbies, or elevator areas can significantly reduce thermal discomfort. Moreover, when these transitional spaces maintain a temperature around 27°C, the body’s physiological responses and subjective comfort levels are optimal. Experts recommend avoiding direct entry into air-conditioned rooms from streets where temperatures reach 40°C. Instead, spend 1–2 minutes in a lobby or hallway to allow your body to gradually adapt. Before leaving an air-conditioned room for the outdoors, pause at the doorway to acclimate. If your office air conditioning is set too low, carry a light jacket or shawl to wear indoors and remove upon exiting. This simple "buffer" action reduces unnecessary strain on your body’s temperature regulation system. （Source: Liaowang New Era）

Edit：WENWEN Responsible editor：LINXUAN

Source：Healthy China

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