What To Know About Dry Heat and Your ENT Health Posted on October 24, 2025 by Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists Just about everybody from Arizona has heard the phrase “it’s a dry heat” before. The lack of humidity makes our high temperatures more comfortable, but it may also affect your nose and throat health. How Does Dry Air Affect My Nose and Throat? One of the greatest benefits of dry heat is that it causes you to sweat, which in turn cools you down and makes the temperature feel lower. However, it can also cause rapid dehydration. Dehydration affects your entire body, including your nose and throat: Nose. Dry air dehydrates the delicate tissues lining your nose, leading to irritation and bleeding. When the dryness compromises the protective mucus in your sinuses and nasal passages, it can also increase your risk of respiratory issues, including asthma, bronchitis and sinus infections. Throat. You may have noticed that your throat gets sore or scratchy if you don’t drink enough water. When you’re living in a dry heat, your body loses hydration even faster, causing that sore throat to pop up more easily. Finding ways to counteract dry air is an essential part of caring for your nose and throat health. How Can I Counteract the Effects of Dry Air? There are a few ways you can add a little more moisture to your life: Use a humidifier. Run a humidifier in your home, aiming for a moisture level between 40% and 60%. You can try running a small humidifier in your bedroom while you sleep to reduce nighttime dryness. Drink plenty of fluids. Hydration is extra important in Phoenix. Aim to drink eight or more glasses of water or unsweetened fruit juice a day. You should drink more water when exercising or as the temperature rises. Minimize alcohol consumption. Alcohol dehydrates your body. There’s no specific healthy number of drinks to have a week, but the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that four or more drinks a day or eight or more per week is heavy for women, and five or more a day or 15 or more a week is heavy for men. That number varies from person to person, but you should aim to consume well below it to stay hydrated and avoid the negative effects of heavy drinking. Stay indoors. You don’t have to stop enjoying the sunset view at Scorpion Gulch or hiking around Superstition Mountains to stay healthy. Just try to limit time outdoors when the temperature reaches unsafe levels. For more information on caring for your nose and throat health in Arizona’s dry climate, contact Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists today. Managing Nighttime Congestion for Better SleepThe Connection Between Blowing Your Nose and Ear PainUnderstanding Deviated Septum Surgery: What to Expect