Humidifier therapy adds moisture to the air to prevent dryness that can cause irritation in many parts of the body. Humidifiers can be particularly effective for treating dryness of the skin, nose, throat, and lips. They can also ease some of the symptoms caused by the flu or common cold.
What can I use a humidifier for?
Humidity acts as a natural moisturizing agent that can relieve dryness. For this reason, humidifiers are often used for relieving: dry skin, sinus congestion/headache, dry throat, nose irritation, bloody noses, etc.
Types of humidifiers
The type of humidifier you choose depends on your preferences, budget, and the size of the area you want to add moisture to. There are five types of humidifiers:
- central humidifiers
- evaporators
- impeller humidifiers
- steam vaporizers
- ultrasonic humidifiers
Central humidifiers
Central humidifiers are built directly into your home’s air conditioning or heating unit. These are the most expensive types of humidifier, but they’re the best choice if you want to add humidity throughout the entire house.
Evaporators
Evaporators blow moisture through a moistened filter. These are more affordable than central humidifiers, but the downside is that they only work in one room at a time.
Impeller humidifiers
Impeller humidifiers work with the help of rotating disks that run at high speeds. These units are often less expensive. They’re also among the most child-friendly devices, because they create cool mist and carry no risk of burns.
The downside is, like evaporators, they only work for single rooms. They can potentially cause breathing difficulties for people with allergies and asthma when they’re overused.
Steam vaporizers
Steam vaporizers are electrically powered. They heat water, and then cool it before expelling it into the air. These are the most inexpensive and portable humidifiers. You can purchase them at drugstores.
This type can cause burns, so it’s not the most kid-friendly.
Ultrasonic humidifiers
Ultrasonic humidifiers produce a cool mist with the help of ultrasonic vibration. The units vary in price, depending on the size you need for your home. Both cool and warm mist versions are available.
An ultrasonic humidifier — especially the cool-mist version — is a good choice if you have children.
Humidifier sizes
Humidifiers are often classified as console or portable/personal. Console units are meant to add moisture to the entire house. Personal (or portable) humidifiers are the smallest, and are the best choice if you need a humidifier while traveling.
Controlling humidity levels
Adding humidity to the air may be beneficial, but too much humidity can cause health issues. High humidity levels can worsen respiratory problems and create uncomfortable dampness in the air. This can encourage the growth of: dust mites, mildew, mold, harmful bacteria.
Mayo Clinic recommends that humidity stay between 30 and 50 percent. A hygrometer can determine how much humidity is in your home. Some central humidifiers come equipped with hygrometers, but you can also find them at hardware stores. Test the humidity daily, especially if someone in your household has allergies or asthma.
Possible risks
Burns are the most common injuries associated with humidifiers. Take special care if you have children. Allowing a unit to expel too much moisture can create condensation on the walls. As a result, mold can grow and spread throughout the home.
Unclean humidifiers can cause bacterial growth that can promote coughs and colds. Steam vaporizers can get dirty quickly, but they’re also among the easiest to clean. Rinse out all the used water between uses. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, clean the unit regularly to prevent bacterial growth. Wash the bucket and filter system every two to three days during usage.
Humidifiers can potentially emit minerals and microorganisms. They’re not necessarily harmful, but the residue can bother people with asthma. Use distilled water to avoid this problem.
The take away
When used with care, humidifiers can make a significant difference when it comes to dry skin and airways. However, keep in mind that this is a home remedy — not a medical treatment. Stop using a humidifier and call your doctor if you have symptoms that don’t improve or seem to be getting worse because of the humidifier.
*Thank you to https://www.healthline.com/health/humidifiers-and-health*
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