When the air is too dry, it can cause health problems such as breathing difficulties and dry skin. Have you ever looked into air humidifier pros and cons?
An air humidifier can really help to add moisture to the air, which can make people feel more comfortable.
Air Humidifier Pros And Cons
Adding moisture to the air has both upsides and downsides – and some of them may be unexpected! Let’s have a look into it…
Pros:
- Can help to reduce airborne viruses. Yes, you read that right – higher humidity can actually decrease the likelihood of catching the common cold.
- May help with asthma and allergies. Increasing humidity in your living space can help prevent the dryness and irritation that can affect your nose and airways.
- Helps to moisten skin. If the level of moisture in the air is higher, it can help to manage dry irritated skin, and even conditions like eczema.
- Reduces energy consumption. Because the surrounding air will feel warmer, you may not need to use your heating quite so much.
Cons:
- Can cause mould. Increasing the levels of humidity in the air can encourage the growth of mould and bacteria.
- May cause breathing difficulties. If the air is thick with moisture, it can make it feel harder to get a good breath in.
- Encourages mites. Because the air is warm and damp, it is the perfect conditions for dust mites to thrive.
As you can see, there are good sides and bad sides to an air humidifier. You will have to weigh up the good with the bad, and see if one is right for you!
If you don’t know much about air humidifiers, this video will tell you everything you need to know:
What Are The Negatives Of A Humidifier?
A humidifier is generally a pretty good piece of kit – they can help with breathing issues and dry skin, as well as potentially keeping colds and flu at bay.
However, they do have their downsides – like everything in life! There are a few different types of humidifier, but they all work by releasing water vapour or steam into the air, thus increasing the humidity levels.
One of the less great things about a humidifier is how often you need to clean it – it is recommended that you clean it thoroughly every 3 days.
If you don’t keep it clean, your humidifier can become a hotbed of germs and mould, thus negating any helath benefits it brings you.
- You will need to start by emptying the water tank, and letting it air dry for between half an hour to an hour.
- Next, take apart the rest of the machine and clean each individual piece with warm soapy water, then allow to air dry.
- Use a brush or stiff scrubber to clean the water tank – you can add vinegar too, to let the acidity clean off any limescale build up.
You will also want to give the entire thing a good disinfecting every month or so, to ensure that any bacteria or micro-organisms aren’t allowed to breed.
Are Air Humidifiers Good For You?
This is a bit of a tricky question – on the one hand yes they ARE good for you, but you will have to watch the levels of humidity in your home to check they aren’t getting TOO humid!
Humidifiers can really help to soothe breathing problems, a dry and scratchy throat, and even a runny nose.
However, if you let the levels of moisture in the air get too high, you run the risk of spreading mould, dust mites and other allergens.
If you have chronic lung conditions, you may find that an air humidifier is not good for you at all – air that is more moist can be harder to breathe in.
Testing the humidity levels in your house with a hygrometer is the best way to check how much moisture is in the air, and if you need to give the humidifier a break for a bit.
Here is an article that explains the benefits of an air humidifier – and all the different types – in detail.
Is Air Humidifier Good For Lungs?
Breathing in air that is higher in humidity can do wonders for helping conditions like a cold, or people who have generalised breathing difficulties.
However, it is very important to make sure your air humidifier is clean – if it is not, then bacteria can actually be circulated around the place and can cause lung problems.
You should also remember that for those with chronic pulmonary conditions, you will have to watch the moisture levels in the air, as too much humidity can exacerbate problems associated with asthma and COPD.
Anyone without breathing difficulties should be able to feel the benefits from an air humidifier, especially during the common cold season.
Is It Good To Sleep With A Humidifier In Your Bedroom?
In a word, yes. Sleeping with a humidifier in your bedroom can help with a lot of health conditions, and can actually help you to get a better night’s sleep.
- It can relieve respiratory discomfort caused by the common cold. Humidified air can loosen mucus and unblock a stuffed up nose.
- It can help dry skin. Increasing the mositure levels in the air can help with cracked and dry skin, and can also help with dry, scratchy eyes.
- It can reduce nosebleeds. When the air is very dry, the membranes inside the nose are easily irritated, which can lead to a rush of blood from the nose.
- It can be a soothing sound. For those who like white noise, sleeping with a humidifier is just about perfect – it can help soothe you off to sleep all night.
If you suffer when the air gets too dry, particularly at night, then sleeping with a humidifier in your room can actually help you more than you might think.
A good and reliable humidifier can help a lot with making the air more moist and easier to breathe, and as such can help with various health difficulties.
Knowing what you are looking for can help immensely, so have a good read through of the above and then you can make the right decision for your needs.
