Preventive health
02/27/23

The Benefits – And Risks – of Having a Humidifier

Working humidifier

Humidifiers can be a great way to offset the effects of dry indoor air according to Mayo Clinic1. But be careful. That same useful machine could cause more harm than good.

5 Reasons To Get a Humidifier

Limit germs

Because they add moisture to the air, research shows humidifiers can help protect against the flu according to Insider2. Why? Because influenza does better in dry conditions.

Soothe asthma

If someone in your home suffers from asthma or allergies, a humidifier may be helpful. The moist air it produces can help alleviate nose and throat tissues says Dr. Andrew Stiehm and Insider3. That includes itchy throats, runny noses, coughing and a host of other common symptoms.

Cut down on congestion

The mucus a sickness produces can dry out in your throat and nose and make it hard to blow or cough out. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier, according to Insider4, prevents the mucus from drying out so coughs and blowing your nose are more productive.

Ease your snoring

By reducing congestion, humidifiers also help with chronic snoring. Less mucus means airways that are more open and better sleep for you states Dr. Stiehm and Insider5.

Avoid dry skin

Dry air can literally pull the moisture from your skin leaving it dry and itchy. Insider6 says that’s especially true when it’s cold outside. By putting moisture back in the air with a humidifier, you can alleviate these annoying symptoms.

Clearly, there are advantages to having a humidifier. But there can be drawbacks too. It’s important to know what those are so you can make an informed decision.

3 Reasons NOT to Get A Humidifier

Germs in the air

When you use a humidifier, you’re turning the water it contains into air vapor. If the water (or the water tank) is dirty, those germs can be transferred to the air that people breathe according to Medical News Today7. Cleaning the tank regularly helps prevent this from happening so do it often and make sure water doesn’t sit in the humidifier too long per Medical News Today8.

Excessive humidity

Just as too little humidity can be bad for you, too MUCH can be a detriment as well. Overly moist air can make allergy symptoms worse, and increase dust mites, mold and mildew. According to the EPA and Medical News Today9, the humidity levels in your home should be somewhere in the 30 – 50% range.

If you use a humidifier, you should use a humidity meter so you know the humidity level at any given time suggests Medical News Today10. In fact, some humidifiers already have built-in ways to measure humidity so check before you spend money on your own standalone meter.

Extra dust

If you put hard water or tap water in your humidifier, Medical News Today11 says it can send the minerals in these liquids into the air. Those minerals then settle around your rooms as dust.

If you decide a humidifier is right for you, here are a few tips from the Mayo Clinic12 to keep your machine clean and your air pleasant:

  • Only use distilled water
  • Change the water often
  • Clean your humidifier every three days
  • Rinse the tank after you clean it
  • Change your filter on a regular basis
  • Drain and clean the humidifier before storing

In a nutshell, humidifiers can be a great benefit if you have skin issues or respiratory problems, or if you live someplace with low humidity. But unless you can maintain it properly, you might want to think twice about adding one to your home.

Sources

 1. “Humidifiers: Ease skin, breathing symptoms” Mayo Clinic, last accessed December 2, 2022,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/humidifiers/art-20048021#:~:text=Increased%20humidity%20may%20ease%20breathing,worsen%20asthma%20and%20allergy%20symptoms.
 
2.  “5 humidifier benefits” Insider, last accessed December 2, 2022,
https://www.insider.com/guides/health/humidifier-benefits
 
3.  “5 humidifier benefits”
 
4.  “5 humidifier benefits”
 
5.  “5 humidifier benefits”
 
6. “5 humidifier benefits”
 
7.  “Benefits of using a humidifier” Medical News Today, last accessed December 2, 2022, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322228
 
8. “Benefits of using a humidifier”
 
9.  “Benefits of using a humidifier”
 
10. “Benefits of using a humidifier”
 
11. “Benefits of using a humidifier”
 
12. “Humidifiers: Ease skin, breathing symptoms”

 

 

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