Are humidifiers good for health? Know benefits and risks

When the air around us is too dry, it can easily cause discomfort ranging from dry skin, irritated sinus and even respiratory issues. That’s where a humidifier comes in handy. This modern-age device adds moisture to the air in a room, helping to increase increase the humidity level when the air is too dry. Whether it is for kids or adults, a humidifier can decrease the risk of chest congestion as well as cough, as it acts as a moisturising agent and is great to use in the winter months. But, it is very important to use humidifiers in the right manner to avoid facing side effects. and maintain them well, for them to remain effective. Another factor to be aware of while using a humidifier is to not overuse them. There are different kinds of humidifiers available in the market as well, which help you in different ways.

What is a humidifier?

Humidifiers are household appliances that add moisture to the dry air in a particular room or an enclosure to prevent dry air from irritating the respiratory tract, says general physician Dr Roohi Pirzada. A humidifier can be installed at workplaces, or even at your house, and provides you with the necessary moisture. One of the main benefits of a humidifier is that can help you breathe easier when you have a dry nose, chest congestion, cough etc.

What is a humidifier used for?

A humidifier can be used for several health conditions. Some of them are listed below:

• Dry and irritated eyes
• Dry skin
• Dry throat
• Cough
• Allergies
• Cracked lips
• Headaches due to sinus
• Nosebleed

Types of humidifiers

There are mainly five types of humidifiers:

• Ultrasonic humidifiers: These use vibrations to help the water vaporize and moisten the air.
• Evaporators: In this, water is evaporated and the air is blown past this.
• Steam vaporizers: Steam is created in these humidifiers. While the steam is cooled before it escapes the humidifier, it can cause burns.
• Impeller humidifiers: These use rotating disks to vaporize water. Heat is not used here.
• Central humidifiers: This is connected to the central air conditioning and moisture is added to the whole area

Are humidifiers good for health?

There are many uses and benefits of a humidifier. They can help you with your respiratory problems, especially when the air lacks moisture. Winter months are generally dry, and even summer months can be troublesome due to the use of an air conditioner. An air conditioner sucks the moisture out of the air, and this can make the air around you excessively dry. In winter, heating devices can also dry out the air.

1. Reduces risk of the flu

Using a humidifier can help protect you from catching influenza. A study, published in Plos One, states that humidity levels, of 40 per cent, helped to deactivate the influenza virus, which was added to the air as part of the experiment. This made this virus less potent. However, this can be an add-on treatment and not a primary one. Check out ways to treat seasonal flu in kids.

2. Helps with dry cough and bronchitis

Dry air can make a dry cough much worse. Humidifiers help to add moisture to the air, and this helps with dry cough. This is especially helpful during sleep. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer for the treatment of bronchitis. This helps to loosen the mucus and helps you to breathe. Besides humidifiers, there are some other home remedies for dry cough that you can try out.

3. Helps with snoring and sleep apnea

A humidifier in the room at night helps to keep your nasal cavities moisturised. This, in turn, helps reduce the possibility of snoring. When the air is dry, the nasal passage and cavities are inflamed and irritated. This can result in snoring. Therefore, a humidified can help you get peaceful sleep. A study, published in Chest, reports that sleep apnea patients experienced fewer side effects associated with upper airway symptoms and felt more refreshed feeling upon awakening.

4. Helps moisturize skin and hair

If the moisture level in the room is set between 40-60 per cent, your skin can absorb moisture naturally and will be hydrated. The scalp, hair as well as lips can also become dry, and moisture in the environment can help them. Humidifiers are very useful for people who have dry and eczema-prone skin. It also helps with acne as the increased humidity is good for fighting bacteria. A study, published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, suggests that moisturizers can help improve signs of acne.

5. Helps with nose bleeds

Using a humidifier can help you with a nosebleed as well. The dry air leads to the drying of the inner membranes of the nose. This can increase irritation as well as lead to a nosebleed. A humidifier can help prevent this. A study, published in the Canadian Pharmacist Journal, states that by keeping the nasal mucosa hydrated with the help of humidifiers and/or saline nasal gels, nose bleeds can be stopped as well as prevented.

6. Helps with tonsilitis

A humidifier can help with tonsilitis, a condition where the tonsils swell up in kids. This can lead to throat pain. A study, published in the Korean Journal of Anesthesiology, states that active humidification can help reduce the severity of sore throat and cough after thyroid surgery.

How to use a humidifier?

While the benefits of a humidifier are immense, it is important to note how to use humidifiers correctly to avoid adverse effects.

1. Don’t make it too humid

While the purpose of a humidifier is to add moisture to the room, it is important to not go overboard in doing so. The United States Environmental Protection Agency suggests that the humidity level in the room should not be more than 50 per cent. If it is more than this, then it can lead to the growth of bacteria and mould, which in turn, can trigger allergies as well as asthma.

2. Use distilled water

A humidifier requires you to fill water so that it can be turned to moisture and added to the air. Make sure to use distilled water for the same, states the United States Environmental Protection Agency If normal water is used, then unhealthy particles can be released in the air. The water that is to be used needs to have a low mineral content.

3. Clean it well

Humidifiers can be beneficial only if they are well maintained, else they may accumulate bacteria and mould and cause major respiratory issues. “They should be cleaned with soap and water twice a week,” says Dr Prizada. Rinse the water tank, and replace the water every night.

4. Replace the filters

It is very important to replace the filters of your humidifier regularly. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions while replacing the filter, and fixing a new one. A new filter should be installed at least four times a year. It depends on how frequently the humidifier is being used.

5. Keep the doors open

It is very important to allow air to flow inside and out of the room while using a humidifier. This will also help in managing the humidity levels of the room.

What are the risks of using a humidifier?

There are some risks of using a humidifier that one must be aware. Burns are the most common of them. Warm air humidifiers can give mild burns if touched when they are hot. It is important to keep a safe distance from the humidifier. Kids should be kept away, especially from warm mist steamers.

The American Burn Association states that Scald burns obtained from hot water, other liquids and steam comprise 35 percent of overall burn patients admitted to US burn centres.

Besides keeping your distance, make sure your humidifier is not placed very close to your drapes or bedsheets either. This can make these surfaces damp, and lead to mould or other bacteria. Also, mist from a dirty humidifier may trigger or worsen asthma or allergy symptoms, says Dr Pirzada. A study published in Indoor Air journal suggests that humidifiers that are not clean can lead to the growth of bacteria which, in turn, causes cold and cough.

FAQs

Can I use a humidifier every day?

Yes, a humidifier can be used every day, as long as all the safety and hygiene protocols are followed well.

How often do I need to change the water in the humidifier?

The water in the humidifier needs to be changed daily. If there is leftover water, then should be emptied and the water tank should be filled again.

Where should I place my humidifier?

It should be placed on an elevated surface, away from kids as well as pets. They should also not be placed close to electrical objects such as laptops or electrical sockets. It should be at least three feet away from you.

Can I leave the humidifier on all night?

Yes, it is safe to sleep with the humidifier on. However, make sure to maintain safety and hygiene protocols.