While it may seem like a simple and harmless way to improve the air quality in your home, a humidifier can help improve the conditions of different respiratory systems.
Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can benefit people with respiratory symptoms or dry skin. There are a variety of reasons why you should use one.
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What Are The Benefits Of A Humidifier?
Humidifier effectively adds moisture content and reduce the dry air during winter. It helps to sleep better and reduce snoring. It is good for treating asthma, cold and other allergies due to high humidity levels and improves overall health. It also reduces static electricity.
Some of the benefits of using a humidifier at your home are mentioned below.
1. Moisturize Your Skin and Lips
Your skin may experience various unpleasant symptoms due to the humidity levels that you experience when using a humidifier. This can include dry patches, inflamed skin, and skin that is tight and dry.
The skin on your hands is vulnerable to moisture loss because it doesn’t have as many oil glands as other parts of your body. As a result, it tends to get dry quickly.
Although hand soap and a few drops of water can help you get back the moisture, a humidifier can help nourish and rehydrate your skin. Not only does it help, but it can also help with various other conditions.
2. Protect Your Throat
If the air quality in your home is too dry, it can cause your vocal cords to become dry and scratchy. This could lead to hoarseness and even loss of voice.
Being sick from the flu or a virus can also cause hoarseness and coughing. A humidifier can also help with the fight against a type of cough known as croup.
Having the ideal humidity levels can help nourish and protect your throat. It can also minimize the inflammation that can occur when the windpipe and voice box get inflamed.
3. Soothe Your Sinuses
Low humidity can also cause discomfort to the membranes that surround your sinuses. It can lead to increased sinus pressure and headaches.
Contrary to what people may think, humidity is actually beneficial for clearing out mucus from the nose. It helps keep the nasal passages moist, which decreases the chances of them getting stuffed up.
Having the right humidity levels can help clear out the excess mucus from the nose and allow you to breathe more freely.
4. Reduce the Spread of Flu Germs
A study has linked the use of a humidifier to a reduced risk of getting sick with the flu.
It can also help prevent the spread of the flu by helping keep the humidity levels high.
According to researchers, when the humidity in the air is low, the flu virus can survive longer and be more contagious. This explains why humidifiers are commonly used during flu season.
Aside from washing your hands, you can also do various other things to prevent the spread of the flu. These include disinfecting all the surfaces in your home that are commonly touched by people.
5. Ease Illness
A humidifier can also help ease some of the unpleasant symptoms of being sick, such as coughing and hoarseness. Not only does it provide comfort, but it can also help speed up recovery time.
6. Keep Cilium Healthy
Cilium is the cellular structure that’s located inside the nasal cavity. It can serve as an immunological shield against various illnesses.
The cilia and mucus lining the nose help trap the pollutants that enter the lungs. Some of these include dust and dander. Being dry helps these cells perform their function properly.
7. Reduce Snoring
Dry air can also contribute to the development of snoring symptoms. It can increase the severity of your condition by causing the nasal passages to swell and become congested.
When the air is too dry, the cilia and mucus in the nose become trapped, which can lead to snoring. Having the right amount of humidity can help relax the cilia and mucus in the nose.
8. Help Warm Your Home
Having a humidifier in your home will help keep the air in your home at a comfortable level. It’s also helpful to keep both your heater and the humidifier running at the same time to avoid running out of fuel.
9. Humidify Houseplants
Aside from being beneficial for humans, some plants thrive in environments with high humidity. This is because these organisms thrive in conditions with abundant moisture. Unfortunately, too much dry air can also damage the growth and leaf development of certain plants.
10. Protect Your Furniture & Floors
Too dry air can also affect the longevity of wooden furniture and flooring. It can cause them to crack and break due to their unevenness.
11. Prevents Static
Static electricity is commonly increased during dry winter months. It can be annoying to have it around your clothes or hair.
12. During Sleep
A humidifier can help boost the immune system and improve sleep quality for children and adults. It can also help with the repair and maintenance of skin.
Not being too dry can also help you avoid getting sick during the winter season. Having a proper level of humidity can help prevent airborne viruses from infecting people.
A high concentration of humidity can also help lower the infectivity of airborne viruses. This means that, instead of being clingy to the surface, airborne viruses can now fall out of the air and attach themselves to vapor droplets.
Studies have shown that prolonged exposure to dry conditions can suppress the body’s natural defenses.
Having a high concentration of humidity can also help loosen up the nasal passages, which can create a thick layer of mucus. A humidifier can also help break up the phlegm stuck in the throat and nose.
Having a humidifier at night can also help you recover faster from a cold or the flu. It can also help loosen congestion in the nasal passages and provide better ventilation.
It can also help people with sinus headaches and improve their sleep. However, being in a compromised position can make sleeping difficult and contribute to the development of cold and flu symptoms.
13. Health
Too dry and humid air can also cause issues with your home’s humidity. Having too much moisture can also contribute to the growth of mold and contribute to various health issues.
Although keeping the air in your home at the ideal humidity level can be challenging, it can help improve your health. The EPA suggests that you should keep the air in your home at a humidity level of around 30 to 50 percent.
If the air in your home is too dry, it can cause eye and nose irritation in healthy individuals. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce this issue, such as using a humidifier.
14. Babies and Children
Babies and young children are prone to developing respiratory issues due to the excessive humidity in their environment.
Being too dry can also irritate the skin and cause chronic conditions such as eczema. Having a humidifier can help protect the sensitive skin of children.
Having a humidifier in the bedroom can also help children breathe easier. It can help them keep their noses and throats clear.
Although it may seem like a daunting task, having a humidifier can help children avoid getting sick.
Types Of Humidifiers
There are various types of humidifiers, such as those that are designed to provide adequate moisture levels in the air.
Evaporators:
Evaporators are usually cheaper than traditional models, but they can also contribute to the growth of mold and worsen the respiratory conditions of people with respiratory conditions like asthma.
Central Humidifiers:
Central humidifiers are built into your home’s air conditioner. They provide a high humidity level and are typically the most expensive option.
Impeller Humidifiers :
Impeller humidifiers are designed to circulate the moisture in the air by pushing it through a series of disks. Since they do not burn, they are more child-friendly.
Warm and cool mist options are also available for ultrasonic humidifiers.
Steam Vaporizer:
A steam vaporizer is a portable and least expensive option for humidifiers. They use warm water to cool it down before pushing it into the air.
Tips for Using a Humidifier
Although it’s important to use a humidifier properly, it’s also important to make sure that it’s being used correctly.
Before using a humidifier, make sure that the water has been filtered to remove any minerals that can encourage mold growth.
Also, make sure that the filter is regularly changed to remove the contaminants. Doing so can help prevent trapped bacteria and mold from entering the air.
Having a humidifier can also help improve the air quality in your home. However, be sure to avoid using one excessively since this can cause mold and dust mites problems.