What are humidifiers: Uses, health benefits, and more

What is a humidifier? If you have been asking this question for some time then you are not alone. A humidifier is a device that adds moisture to the air and prevents dryness, which could cause irritation and even deteriorate your health.

A humidifier’s biggest advantage comes in the form of treating dryness of the skin, nose, throat, and lips. They have also been found effective in eliminating some causes of the flu or common cold. Even though a humidifier is useful, it can also be harmful if overused or not cleaned properly. Here’s a look at the types, uses, and impact of humidifiers on health.

What is a humidifier: Function and types

What does a humidifier do? A humidifier is a device that boosts the amount of moisture in the air, also called humidity.

There are five different types of humidifiers and they are:

1. Central humidifiers

Central humidifiers are built directly into your home’s air conditioning or heating unit. They are the most expensive type of humidifier but offer the best method to add humidity throughout the house and they also do not emit steam, which makes them less risky to use.

2. Evaporators

An evaporator works by blowing moisture through a moistened filter. They are powered by fans and expel humidity into the air from a single-unit system. They are good if you need to humidify only one room at a time and also more affordable than central humidifiers.

3. Impeller humidifiers

Impeller humidifiers work with the help of rotating disks running at high speeds. If you are looking for a child-friendly and less expensive humidifier then you should choose this type. They also operate only in one room at a time and may cause difficulties for people with asthma and allergies if overused.

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4. Steam vaporisers

These are electrically powered and they work by heating water and then cooling it before expelling it into the air. They are the most inexpensive humidifiers you can buy and are also portable.

5. Ultrasonic humidifiers

An ultrasonic humidifier uses ultrasonic vibration to produce a cool mist and comes in both cool and warm mist options. For families with children, a cool mist ultrasonic humidifier will be a good choice.

What humidifiers are used for

“What does a humidifier do,” is a very common question and the most common use of this appliance is to act as a moisturising agent. When the air is dryer and the outdoors is cold, a humidifier can be used to relieve dryness.

A humidifier is also used to relieve the following conditions:

1. Dry skin

2. Dry cough

3. Dry throat

4. Cracked lips

5. Sinus congestion/headache

6. Irritated vocal cords

7. Bloody noses

8. Nose irritation

When the air is dryer in your home, you may experience discomfort which might be common during the winter months. With a humidifier, you can relieve yourself from these conditions.

Need for a humidifier and risks

Apart from its obvious benefits, a humidifier is also known for being a portable device. Since they are console-style devices, they can be moved around to add moisture to the entire house and not be restricted to one corner of a room. In that regard, they are identical to an air purifier and sometimes confused for them as well.

It is important to control humidity since poor moisture levels in the air can cause many health issues. However, if there is too much humidity then it can cause a different set of health issues. High humidity levels have been linked to respiratory issues and support the growth of mould, bacteria, dust mites, and mildew.

One of the ways to put a humidifier to good use is by measuring the humidity level in your home with the help of a hygrometer. Some central humidifiers come equipped with hygrometers and it is recommended that you keep the humidity between 30 and 50 per cent.

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The common risk associated with a humidifier is burns and it is recommended to keep humidifiers away from children. Some other side effects include condensation on the walls and clothes kept closer to a humidifier can become damp. It is also important to know that humidifiers, like all other home appliances, need regular cleaning for the best result. Once you bring home a humidifier, make sure to use it with care and you might see a real difference in your health but don’t mistake it for a medical device.