As winter approaches the air within our homes begins to dry out, similar to the air outside. Floorboards begin to creak, indicating the dryness that surrounds us. With the dry air comes an increase in allergy and asthma symptoms. Nebulizers and humidifiers were designed to help with the dry air and symptoms that persist during the winter months.
What Is a Humidifier?
A humidifier is a device that expels warm or cool mist into the air. There are two types: warm-air and cool-air. Warm-air humidifiers heat the water that is propelled. This is done by either a vaporizer or warm mist unit. A cool-air humidifier does not heat the water before launching it into the air. The moisture is sent into the air by a fan, spinning disk or ultrasonic waves. Most humidifiers are small and fit into one room. According to Aprilaire, they allow moisture into the air, which can decrease intensified allergy and asthma symptoms that are caused by dry air. They are particularly helpful in the winter when the air is naturally drier, and when the home heating system draws moisture out of the air.
What is a Nebulizer?
According to Phillips, a nebulizer is a powered air compressor that disburses medicine that is inhaled through a mouthpiece. Nebulizers disperse bronchodilator medicines, which open up the airways for asthma, croup and other patients.
How Do They Work?
According to Compact Appliance, humidifiers dissolve water into tiny droplets. Once the water has been broken up, the machine moves the moisture into the room, creating humidity. A nebulizer uses an air compressor to dissolve medicine into miniscule droplets that are inhaled through a mouthpiece by the patient.
Differences between a Nebulizer and Humidifier
Both a nebulizer and a humidifier break liquid up into minute droplets. A humidifier can heat the liquid first, while a nebulizer does not change the temperature of the medicine. Furthermore, a humidifier benefits everyone in its area by providing moisture to either a whole room or whole house. A nebulizer helps only the person who is breathing in the medicine through the mouthpiece.
Purpose
Another difference between the two machines is the purpose. A humidifier is designed to provide moisture to the air, while a nebulizer is designed to medicate an individual. Since a humidifier does not provide medicine, it can be left on at all times. On the other hand, doctors often prescribe a nebulizer to sick patients. According to Cleveland Clinic, they must be handled with extreme care and precaution and should be left on only during treatment.
