Do you have a stuffy nose that just won’t go away? If you’re grappling with nasal congestion — whether from a cold, dry air, or in some cases, allergies — a humidifier can be a helpful resource to relieve your symptoms.
Humidifiers add droplets of moisture back into dry air in the home, and that humidified air helps break down mucus in the nose and throat, moisturize dry skin and eyes, and clear that blocked, congested feeling.
There are various kinds of humidifiers to choose from, and when used in the right way, they can combat dry air that’s irritating your airways.
Humidifiers are devices that work by steadily releasing water vapor — either cool or warm steam — into the air, increasing the humidity levels in your home. They can be a helpful household appliance, especially in winter months or in parts of the country with very dry air, says Andrew Bernstein, MD, a Chicago-based pediatrician.
“Furnaces, stoves, and heaters can create dry indoor air, which can lead to various discomforts and health issues. Dry air can irritate the airways. This can cause or worsen cough. It can also dry out the nasal membranes, increasing the risk of irritation and nosebleeds,” says Alicia McBride, MD, a pediatrician at NewYork-Presbyterian in Flushing, Queens, and Weill Cornell Medicine.
A humidifier in the home can:
Moisturize nasal passageways and thin mucus buildup With a humidifier on, dry nasal passageways are moistened, loosening up mucus, and unclogging a stuffy nose, Dr. Bernstein says. This is important for little ones, too. “Babies have little nasal passageways and can’t blow their nose or clear their mucus very well, so a humidifier is important to help them breathe easily when they’re sick,” he says. You’ll also find it easier to cough up trapped phlegm, he says.
Ease breathing and promote healing Humidifiers also aid in getting rid of dried secretions in your nose, which can help you heal from an upper respiratory infection, says John James, MD, an allergy consultant in private practice in Fort Collins, Colorado, and a spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). “With your nose moist and humidified, your medications can work better, and you’ve got better drainage for a sinus infection, all helping you to breathe better.”
Help with allergies in some cases If dry air is contributing to your allergy symptoms, humidifiers can help by adding moisture to the air. But increased humidity can make dust mites and mold proliferate as well, so it depends on your allergies and your triggers.
There are different types of humidifiers to choose from, including:
Central humidifiers These are built into your home heating and air conditioning systems, so they can humidify the entire home and not just isolated rooms.
Ultrasonic humidifiers These devices use sound waves to create a cool mist that’s dispersed into the room.
Impeller humidifiers These humidifiers use a spinning disc to draw up water and force it through a screen, which turns it into a cool mist, says McBride.
Evaporative humidifiers These devices have a wick or filter that draws water from a reservoir. A fan then blows air over the filter and pushes the moisture into the air, McBride says.
Steam vaporizers These humidifiers use electricity to heat water, which creates steam that’s released into the air.
Evaporative, impeller, and ultrasonic humidifiers are cool-mist humidifiers, meaning they use cool water and release cool mist, while steam vaporizers heat water and release a warm, soothing mist.
Which humidifier you opt for will depend on your family’s needs. If you have kids, for example, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a cool mist humidifier instead of a steam vaporizer. That’s because vaporizers can cause burns if little ones get too close to the steam, touch the heated device, or accidentally knock it over while it’s filled with hot water.
Bernstein recommends impeller and ultrasonic humidifiers for children’s rooms because there is less risk of accidents tied to hot water spills.
Evaporative humidifiers are also a safe option for families, but they may be bulkier and less portable, McBride says.
Humidifiers can be a useful appliance in the home during cold winter months or in dry climates across the country. But households need to operate, clean, and maintain humidifiers carefully to use them safely in the home.
“When used properly, humidifiers can greatly help with dry skin and airways. But if not cleaned regularly, they can harbor bacteria that may contribute to cough, colds, and respiratory issues,” McBride says.
Here are some tips she offers to keep your humidifier running in great shape.
Choose a humidifier that’s the right size for the room. Don’t select a humidifier that’s too big for the room where it will be placed. “A humidifier that’s too large can create condensation, which could cause bacteria and mold to form,” Bernstein says. If you have kids, don’t place the humidifier directly next to your child’s bed or crib — keep a distance of about three feet between the humidifier and your child to ensure their safety.
Keep the area around the humidifier clear. You shouldn’t point a humidifier at curtains, nightstands, tables, or furniture that can get damp or wet. If room surfaces are constantly damp or moist to the touch, they can become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can also spark breathing issues in some people. To avoid danger, “Ensure your baby can’t grab or reach the humidifier and that any cords are not in reach of their crib,” McBride says.
Look for a model with an automatic shut-off feature. This way, if the water reservoir runs dry, the device will turn off automatically. If it doesn’t have this feature, the unit may keep running, leading to overheating, burning of circuit boards, and a potential fire hazard, James warns, noting that this is an important safety feature to look for.
Use filtered or demineralized water. Tap water contains minerals that can be a breeding ground for microorganisms and bacteria inside your humidifier. You might even breathe in some of these minerals as they’re spread into the air. Use distilled or demineralized water to avoid this risk.
Change the water in your filter and clean it often. Unplug your device, empty the water tank, and use a brush or scrubber to clean it, removing any scale, deposits, or film that’s formed on the sides before wiping surfaces dry. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia recommends soaking the tank and all parts that are exposed to water in a 10 percent bleach solution. McBride suggests cleaning a portable humidifier once every three days. “Cleaning helps minimize germs and mineral deposits in the water tank.”
Don’t leave a humidifier on for a long time. Do not set the humidifier to humidity levels above 50 percent as this can encourage the growth of bacteria in the home. If the room surfaces are constantly damp or wet to the touch, you may create the perfect ecosystem for mold and mildew, which can create serious breathing problems in some people.
Never leave water in the reservoir. Humidifiers should be cleaned and dried after each use, so you shouldn’t leave water to stagnate. “Bacteria grows in standing water. Restarting the machine will send these bacteria or spores into the air,” McBride says. You should also clean and sanitize your humidifier before storing it.
Know when it’s time to replace a humidifier. If your humidifier has stuck-on mineral deposits that are difficult or impossible to remove, it may be time to retire and replace it.
A humidifier can be a simple, effective way to ease congestion and soothe irritated airways, especially when you’re battling a cold or another type of respiratory infection, or if dry air in your home is exacerbating your allergy symptoms.
Humidifiers add moisture back into the air, moistening the nose and airways, clearing mucus and dried secretions, and making it easier to breathe.
Choose the right type of humidifier for your home and clean it regularly to keep the air in your home healthy.
