Humidifiers do not help you not get sick. Humidifiers are primarily used to treat symptoms associated with the common cold and allergies affecting congestion in the chest or nasal passages, according to MayoClinic.com. Preventing getting sick begins with frequent hand washing, staying current on vaccinations, staying away from people who appear to be sick and disinfecting public items, according to MedlinePlus. Talk with your doctor about how to effectively use a humidifier for your condition.
Function
Humidifiers add moister to the air. When you get a cold, your nasal passages and airways in the chest can become inflamed and congested. Dry air will perpetuate nasal stuffiness. Adding moisture to the air will help to moisten and sooth the irritation in the sinuses and chest. Different types of humidifiers help different symptoms.
Types
Humidifiers are available in cool or warm versions. According to Parenting.com, a warm-mist humidifier is best for infant congestion. The warmth from the humid air helps to open the sinuses and drain excess mucus. Warm humidifiers use more electricity and are more expensive to operate. They work by boiling water and releasing visible vapor into a room. Cool-mist humidifiers use various approaches to convert water into cool vapor. Some cool humidifiers produce visible cool mist and others produce invisible mist.
Consideration
Overusing a humidifier, or using one that isn't maintained properly, can make you sick, according to MayoClinic.com. Too much humidity can cause nasal congestion and also increases the risk of developing mold and mildew in the room and the humidifier unit. Clean the unit daily by emptying the water basin and allowing it to air dry. Wipe down the parts of the humidifier with an all-purpose cleaner and allow to air dry. Keep warm mist humidifiers away from children, as they can result in burns.
Proper Moister
Maintain optimum moisture in the air by using a hygrometer, a device that looks like a thermostat and measures the amount of humidity in the air. MayoClinic.com states that the humidity levels should remain between 30 and 50 percent to prevent mold growth and maintain healthy nasal moisture.
Disinfection
Disinfect the humidifier once a week, using one part bleach and 10 parts water. Take the unit apart and soak each part for five minutes. This will kill bacteria.
