Yes, it's impossible to avoid the air inside the cabin, but the dry air on a plane can also put you at risk of getting sick. Dr. Sonpal tells us, "Air quality on planes raises your risk of contracting illness. This is because in the pressurized cabin, the air humidity is dramatically less. On the ground and in your homes, the humidity is about 35 percent while on the plane it is between 10 and 15 percent."
So how can you fight back? Dr. Sonpal recommends drinking plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and avoid contact with your eyes. Dr. Gustavo Ferrer, MD, a pulmonologist and author of Cough Cures, advises also using a saline spray with xylitol (like Xlear) to help with nasal dryness, as it helps prevent the attachment of bacteria and virus.
