Do you get itchy eyes and a runny nose when allergies flare up? Well, you should minimize the reactions by improving your indoor air quality. But if the allergies are exacerbated frequently, you should identify the specific triggers. Generally, dry air irritates the nasal passageways which may lead to increased mucus production. The best way to ease an allergy is to use a humidifier.
So, does a humidifier help with allergies? The humidity from your humidifier can offer some relief for the discomfort created by allergies. It can also help with nasal congestion, dry mouth, and sinus inflammation.Â
How does a humidifier help with allergies?
A humidifier is a portable unit that releases moisture into the air to increase the humidity levels. This helps to relieve discomfort caused by symptoms such as nasal congestion, sinus inflammation, and dry mouth.
And depending on the model, you can adjust the levels to ensure the air is not too moist or too dry. Keep in mind that humidity is not always better. You should strike a balance to find maximum relief and comfort.
For some people, changing the season means being susceptible to congestion. But once you increase the humidity level in your home, you can ease the lingering coughs.
What is the right humidity level to fight allergies?
The ideal humidity level in your home should be between 30 and 50%. When the count is below 30%, you may experience sinus, dry throat and the likes. Conversely, when humidity is above 50% it accentuates mold and bacteria growth.
Ideally, the nose has some cellular strands that require humidity to trap dust, mucus, and pollen. When it goes down, the strands allow pollen in. Therefore, the first line of allergy defense is to keep your nose healthy.
During winter months, the outside air mixes with the indoor one and becomes dry. The same applies during sweltering summer months. If your house is too humid and dry, you should invest in a humidifier.
First, you should understand why the air in your home becomes dry. Perhaps you could be using the HVAC system or you allow dry air to come in from the outside.
But how can you notice the air that causes common allergies? The common red flag is static electricity where your clothes stick with each other. Apart from that, you may feel flu-like symptoms that never get full-blown.
How humidifiers offer relief for cold and flu allergies
Did you know that dry air can irritate your nasal passage? If the air in the house is dry, a humidifier can help to ease symptoms like sinus congestion, throat passages, and runny nose.
This device disperses warm mist into the air to keep the nasal passage moist. Additionally, it can help you get enough rest to fight the symptoms. There are dozens of studies that suggest a humidifier can also help to ease the symptoms associated with hay fever.
During the winter months, cold and flu can rob your good night’s sleep. If you don’t control the condition, it may show no signs of slowing down.
Humidifiers can relieve skin allergies
Do you keep waking up with dry skin? Well, adding moisture in your room can make a big difference. While most skin allergies are caused by coming into contact with some substances, it can also be aggravated by some environmental conditions. When the air is too damp, your body will produce more sweat and rashes.
There are different terms to describe skin allergies like contact dermatitis, eczema, or atopic dermatitis. Contact dermatitis refers to an allergy that occurs when your skin comes into contact with an allergen.
Eczema, on the other hand, is characterized by redness, swelling, and itchiness. It’s scientifically proven that humidifiers can help to relieve skin allergies. These units disperse moisture into the air to combat the effect of dry air.
If you suffer from dermatitis or eczema, a humidifier can improve your indoor air quality. The best unit should show the levels of humidity at any given time.
The best humidifiers for allergies
If you want to keep allergies at bay, you should choose a cold mist or a warm mist humidifier. While they do the same thing, they operate differently. A cold mist humidifier breaks water molecules and releases them into the air while a warm mist humidifier boils and vaporizes water. When choosing the best unit, you should look at your unique situation.
If you want to use the device in your bedroom, buy a warm mist humidifier. It does a remarkable job of thinning mucus secretions and soothing sinuses. Other than that, it’s whisper-quiet so you can enjoy a good night’s sleep.
If you’re looking for a unit for a large room, you should consider a cold mist humidifier. The only downside with this unit is that it accumulates mold when you don’t clean frequently.
Another aspect worth considering is the size and capacity of the room. Humidifiers come in different sizes to suit your individual needs. If you just want to improve the air quality in your bedroom, you should buy a smaller size.
Although the unit requires frequent refilling, it disperses cool air to a localized point. It can also be very useful if you have a small office in your home. But if you have a large space, you can by a model with a large capacity to avoid constant refilling.
It’s worth mentioning that bigger humidifiers can release too much moisture in the air if you have small space.
Precautions when using humidifiers for allergies
Warm mist humidifiers can be dangerous if you have pets and children around it. Because they can easily tip over and cause serious burns, you should keep them at a safe place. Secondly, you should sterilize the water before you disperse the mist into the air.
Thirdly, clean the device on a regular basis to prevent the accumulation of mold and bacteria.
Another precautionary measure is to ensure no water sits in the reservoir for a long period. This could be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi which is hazardous to your health.
To be on the safe side, change the water in your device before refilling it again. We cannot stress this enough. Smaller units need everyday cleaning. Lastly, you should change the filters regularly to ensure mold and bacteria are not released into the air.
Remember to use the settings provided to set the moisture in your home between 30-50%.
Final Thoughts
Allergies can become a nuisance if you spend a lot of time indoors. While most people rush for conventional treatments to ease the symptoms, they leave them with undesired side effects. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, a humidifier can help you battle the discomfort.
Be sure to adjust the humidity levels as too much can be worse as too little. Its time you skip on the scratchy nasal passages by setting a humidifier in your home.
