Why does my mouth swell after using the air conditioner?
Nov 25, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Shuwen
Introduction
Swelling of the mouth after using air conditioning may be related to air conditioner use. Prolonged exposure to air conditioning tends to deplete moisture from indoor air, causing excessive dryness. However, this symptom could also result from other causes such as allergies, infections, or dermatitis. Sjögren's syndrome (dryness syndrome) can also easily lead to such symptoms. It is recommended to visit a hospital for evaluation, undergo appropriate examinations to determine the underlying cause, and then receive symptomatic treatment accordingly.
Swollen mouth after using air conditioning may be related to air conditioner use, or it could result from other causes such as allergies, infections, or dermatitis.
1. Related to Air Conditioning
Prolonged exposure to air conditioning can remove moisture from indoor air, causing excessive dryness. If someone tends to breathe through their mouth while sleeping, the skin in that area loses moisture more easily, potentially leading to swelling. Adjusting indoor temperature and humidity levels appropriately usually improves the condition.
2. Other Causes
1. Allergy
Various factors, such as pollen or certain foods, may trigger localized allergic reactions, resulting in circumscribed neurogenic edema around the mouth. This type of swelling is typically due to a severe form of urticaria induced by allergens and generally does not come with symptoms like itching or pain.
2. Infection
If there's an infection around the mouth—such as one caused by the herpes simplex virus—it may lead to inflammatory swelling, often accompanied by significant pain and sometimes exudation (fluid leakage).
3. Contact Dermatitis
Patients with contact dermatitis may also experience noticeable swelling, along with dark red patches on the skin surface and itching.
Besides the above-mentioned causes, Sjögren's syndrome (dryness syndrome) can also easily lead to such symptoms. It is recommended to seek medical attention at a hospital for proper evaluation and diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause, followed by appropriate symptomatic treatment.
