Can people with rheumatoid arthritis be exposed to wind?
Disease description:
My grandmother has rheumatoid arthritis. Summer has arrived and the weather is very hot, so I bought her an electric fan, but I'm not sure whether using a fan might worsen her condition. Can people with rheumatoid arthritis be exposed to fan-blown air?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Rheumatoid arthritis patients can use wind exposure with caution. Many patients with rheumatoid arthritis are sensitive to cold and wind; applying gentle airflow from a hair dryer may reduce the sensation of cold in the joints, and the mild warmth—similar to physical therapy—can help alleviate joint symptoms. However, if arthritis is in an active phase characterized by redness, swelling, heat, and pain, using a hair dryer should be avoided, as it may exacerbate the condition and intensify joint symptoms. When patients experience joint pain, they should promptly seek specialized medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital, along with relevant laboratory tests such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, and antistreptolysin O titer.
