Humidifiers add moisture to the air. They can help people with dry skin, allergies, and respiratory problems. They may also help prevent influenza and reduce snoring, among other benefits.
Dry air can cause moisture to evaporate from the skin, worsening respiratory symptoms over time. A humidifier can counteract these problems by adding moisture to the air.
Humidifiers can help people who experience:
- dry skin
- irritated eyes
- dryness in the throat or airways
- allergies
- frequent coughs
- sinus headaches
- cracked lips
There are several ways to use humidifiers in the home or office, but there are also some risks.
In this article, learn about the benefits of humidifiers, how to use them correctly, and precautions to take.
Some people experience respiratory symptoms in the summer months, when the weather is hot, and the air contains more allergens. Air conditioners and fans can circulate dry air through the room, and air conditioners remove any moisture from the air, so a humidifier may be beneficial.
People can also benefit from a humidifier in the colder months, when cold, indoor air dries out the lungs, nose, and lips. Some types of central heating can also dry out the air.
Benefits of a humidifier may include:
Preventing influenza
Humidifiers may help to prevent virus outbreaks, such as influenza, or flu.
In a 2018 study, researchers collected air samples and frequently handled items, such as blocks and markers, from preschool classrooms, and tested them in a lab to see if they carried the flu virus. They humidified some classrooms, but not others, and called these the control rooms.
Air and objects collected from humidified classrooms contained far fewer influenza-positive samples than those from the control rooms. There were also fewer flu-like cases of illness in humidified rooms. This suggests that humidification may help control flu outbreaks, but more research is necessary to confirm a direct link.
Making a cough more productive
Dry air can cause a person to have a dry, unproductive cough. Adding humidity to the air can help moisten the airways, which can make a cough more productive. A productive cough releases trapped or sticky phlegm.
Reducing snoring
Increasing the amount of moisture in the air can also reduce snoring. If the air is dry, a person’s airways are less likely to be sufficiently lubricated, which can make snoring worse.
Adding humidity to the air by running a humidifier at night may help to relieve some symptoms.
Keeping the skin and hair moist
Some people notice that their skin, lips, and hair become dry and fragile in the winter.
Many types of heating units pump hot, dry air through the house or office, which can dry out the skin, making it itchy or flaky. Cold air outside can also dry out the skin.
Using a humidifier to add moisture to the indoor air may help reduce the occurrence of dry, cracked skin.
Benefits for the home
Moisture from a humidifier can be helpful around the home. Any moisture-loving houseplants may become more vibrant, and wood floors or furniture may last longer. Humidity can also help prevent wallpaper from cracking and static electricity from building up.
Humid air can also feel warmer than dry air, which could help save money on utility bills in the winter months.
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