The Benefits of a Humidifier

Humidifiers are used to introduce humidity into the air when one’s home is overly dry. As dry air can cause moisture to evaporate from the skin and cause respiratory systems to deteriorate, they’re a great option to have around the house.

Overall, humidifiers can help people who experience the following:

• Irritated eyes
• Dry skin
• Dry throat
• Allergies
• Frequent coughing
• Bloody noses
• Sinus headaches
• Dry lips

1. Prevents the Flu

One study states that using a humidifier can reduce the risk of catching the flu. Adding humidity to the air along with the virus causes the virus to rapidly deactivate, meaning it’ll be much harder for someone to catch the flu if they have their humidifier going.

That’s why it’s a good idea to use a humidifier in your home when other people are sick, as it will decrease the risk of you getting sick.

2. Productive Coughing

A dry cough is an unproductive cough and a painful one. Using a humidifier will help to get more moisture into one’s airways, making their cough much more productive. If a cough is moist, phlegm is more likely to be released, further clearing the airways.

3. Reduced Snoring

Snoring is much louder when the air is dry because one’s passageways aren’t lubricated. If you use a humidifier at night, your passageways will become more lubricated, reducing the sound of your snores.

If you have a loved one that snores too loud, keeping you up, this might be the solution you’re  looking for.

4. Skin and Hair Benefits

Many people experience dry, cracked skin and brittle hair during the winter time. When the air is more dry, the skin is more easily damaged. It may also be more itchy or flaky. If you’re experiencing overly dry skin and hair in the winter time, running a humidifier can help bring back some of the moisture your body has been missing.

5. Home Benefits

Not only are there benefits for your body, but there are also benefits for your home, including:

• Your moisture loving plants will live much longer, as they’re getting the humid air that they’re used to. They will be more vibrant in color because of this.
• Wood floors and furniture may last longer.
• Wallpaper won’t crack as much.
• Static electricity will have a much harder time building up.

Humidifier Risks

Those were a bunch of great benefits all in a row, but are there any risks to owning a humidifier, and how long should you run it each day?

There are a few risks associated with humidifiers, including:

• Letting it get too dirty. If you don’t keep your humidifier clean, the air that you breathe in will also be dirty.
• Over humidifying can also be dangerous, making breathing difficult and allergies worse.
• If you don’t use pure, clean water in your humidifier you could put yourself at risk for sickness because of the minerals in unpurified water.
• Dust mite and mold growth is more common in humid areas.
• Humidifiers may aggravate asthma.
• Steam vaporizers could burn the skin if you aren’t careful.

Should You Get a Humidifier?

There are multiple different types of humidifiers, you just have to choose which one is best for you. Types of humidifiers include:

• Steam vaporizers use electricity to create steam that cools before leaving the unit.
• Ultrasonic humidifiers use vibrations to vaporize water.
• Evaporators blow air past evaporating water.
• Impeller humidifiers use rotating disks instead of heat to vaporize water.
• Central humidifiers connect to central air units to add moisture to an entire space.

Sizes vary depending on what type you choose. If you’re experiencing dry skin, cough, or have a loved one who snores, a humidifier may be right for you.