Breathing Hot Air

[Mr.Ix]

When I am driving in the car and I have the heater fan on, I sometimes have to turn it cooler because I can't seem to inhale the warm air through my nose very easily and I find I struggle for air. I recently mentioned this to my father in law who said he had the same problem somethimes. Why should warmer air be harder to inhale?

[woofgang]

It may not be that the air is warmer but because the heater is pumping out dry air. Lungs need their air moist and one of the functions of the nostrils is to moisten dry air before it hits the lungs, however the nostrils have their limits ansd maybe they are complaining??

[Artemis]

Does your car have an A/C system? It's not just for use in Summer. Warm air from an A/C system is more moist.

[kick3m0n]

OOOoooh, spooky! I am exactly the same Mr.Ix, I just hate breathing in warm air.

[ianess]

If you don't have air conditioning try opening a window just enough to let some fresh air in and you'll find the problem's gone.  woofgang sounds spot-on.

[tpfan]

I agree with woofgang;  I find that the heater seems to dry out my nostrils and make breathing more uncomfortable; and don't get me started on in car air fresheners!