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Cold Air and Respiratory Health

Winter chores do not stop for cold weather. Cold, dry air can irritate airways, so a few habits help you keep working comfortably.

How does cold air affect the lungs?

Cold air is usually dry, and breathing it can irritate the airways. For many people this causes only a cough or a tight feeling. For people with asthma or COPD, cold air can trigger wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Physical effort makes this more likely, because heavy work means breathing faster and through the mouth, which bypasses some of the warming and moistening done by the nose.

Some people notice a runny nose or cough in the cold even without a lung condition. It is usually a reaction of the nose and airways to cold, dry air. Dress for the coldest part of the day, since chilling makes breathing symptoms more likely.

Who should take extra care?

People with asthma, COPD, heart disease and recent respiratory infections often notice cold-related symptoms first. Children and older adults may also be more sensitive.

If you have a lung condition, ask your health provider how winter affects you and whether your plan should change for the season.

Frozen ground and snow can change how you move, and slips make heavy breathing and sudden exertion more dangerous. Take shorter trips, clear paths, and rest before carrying heavy loads in the cold. Ask your provider whether a pre-winter checkup makes sense for you, particularly if you have a lung condition.

• Asthma or COPD
• Heart disease
• Recent respiratory illness
• Children and older adults

What practical habits help in winter?

Breathing through the nose when you can helps warm and humidify the air. A scarf or loose cover over the nose and mouth can warm the air a little, as long as it does not become wet and cold from your breath. Keep covers dry.

Warm up before heavy work, pace yourself, and take breaks in a warmer space. If your provider prescribed medicine to use before activity, follow their directions rather than guessing.

Keep a spare dry scarf or cover with you, since a damp one can feel colder and irritate the skin.

What indoor air issues come with winter?

Barns and shops are often closed up to keep warmth in, which can trap dust, ammonia, moisture and exhaust. Poor ventilation affects both people and animals. Fuel-burning heaters can release carbon monoxide, which is a serious hazard in enclosed spaces.

Make sure heaters are installed, vented and maintained according to the manufacturer manuals, and use working carbon monoxide alarms where appropriate. Ask your fire department or extension office for guidance on safe heating in farm buildings.

Never run engines, generators or fuel-burning heaters in closed spaces. Exhaust can contain carbon monoxide, which you cannot see or smell.

How do winter infections factor in?

Colds, flu and other respiratory infections spread more easily when people spend more time indoors. For someone with a chronic lung condition, an infection can lead to a flare-up.

Ask your provider about vaccines and about when to call if symptoms start. Wash hands often and stay home when you are sick if you can, especially around others who are vulnerable.

Barn doors left open for ventilation and closed for warmth create a balancing act. Talk with your extension office or a ventilation specialist about how to keep air moving without chilling animals or workers.

What about cold stress overall?

Cold exposure can also cause hypothermia and frostbite, which are separate emergencies. Dress in layers, keep dry, and take breaks. OSHA and the CDC publish winter work guidance for details.

Check on people working alone in remote areas and agree on check-in times. Call 911 for severe symptoms such as confusion, very slurred speech, or loss of consciousness.

If you notice that your breathing is worse every cold season, mention it to a provider before the next winter arrives, so any treatment adjustments can be planned instead of rushed.

When should you seek care?

See a provider if cold weather regularly brings coughing, wheezing or breathlessness, even if it passes. Call 911 for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, blue lips or confusion.

Keep prescribed medicines from freezing or overheating, since extreme temperatures can affect some devices. Ask a pharmacist about proper storage.

If you take daily medicines for your lungs, do not skip them in winter. Ask your provider whether anything about your plan should change when it gets cold.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.