Disclaimer: Always consult with your doctor before using a humidifier.
The humidifier is the device that adds moisture into the atmosphere. Sometimes, there are places where you feel suffocated because of the lack of proper ventilation. The relative humidity around you should be approximately 30 to 50 percent. Lowering the density below 30% can cause skin dryness and many other problems.
Reduced humidity can cause a variety of problems which can include:
- Itchiness
- Sinus irritation
- Dry Skin
- Headaches
- Throat Irritation
- Dryness in the Eyes
- Eczema
- Asthma
For me, reduced moisture causes eczema and can irritate my sinus. In such cases, people can use humidifiers that regulate the needed moisture in the environment to alleviate these symptoms. Too much moisture can also be a bad thing. It can cause mildew or mold. The best way to test the humidity levels in your house is with a hygrometer.
A hygrometer measures the amount of moisture in the air and looks identical to a thermometer. When buying a humidifier, consider purchasing one with a built-in hygrometer (humidistat). It will help maintain humidity within a healthy range.
Photo Credit: Aaron Yoo – Sixbee
There are many types of humidifiers available in the market. We will discuss some of the types you can use below.
Recommended Types of Humidifiers
Impeller Humidifiers
Impeller humidifiers are the cool mist humidifiers that work with the help of a diffuser and rotating disk. It sends water to the diffuser by rotating the disc. The diffuser spreads the water droplets into the air, and once the droplets come into the atmosphere, they evaporate quickly.
Sometimes, this kind of humidifier can be noisy, but it is the most affordable solution to add humidity to your surroundings. These types of humidifiers are known to be the most sanitary humidifiers.
Ultrasonic Humidifiers
The ultrasonic humidifiers use a water reservoir in the place of the diffuser. It consists of the diaphragm or any vibrating device which vibrates at a very high frequency. The frequency of this vibrating device is so high that it is not possible for humans to listen to the vibrations of this device. The vibrations of the device propel the water droplets into the air, and once it is out into the air, it will automatically evaporate.
The best thing about these humidifiers is that they do not produce any heat or audible hum like the impeller humidifiers. These humidifiers are so small and compact that you can carry them with you anywhere you want.
Taotronics sells various ultrasonic humidifiers at very affordable prices.
Evaporator Humidifiers
Evaporative humidifiers have been used for decades and are considered the most common type of humidifying appliance. An evaporative humidifier works to evaporate moisture in the air through a mist or vapor. Most have filters that require a routine cleaning or replacing, which is an ongoing operational cost that may make the humidifier more costly in the long run.
The wick filter holds and draws the water up to a fan, which then expels moisture from the unit as a water mist or spray. The wicks can be of varying sizes, including quite large, and take up most of the room in a humidifier. This is a popular filter design because the filter traps mineral scale and reduces the risk of fine white/ greyscale dust filtering to the room.
We highly recommend this humidifier by Okaysou. It’s quiet and works for up to 50 hours.
Okaysou Humidifier
Steam Vaporizer
Steam vaporizers are probably the most popular. This particular vaporizer has a water chamber that heats up steam through vents to increase humidity in the room. I find this humidifier most calming as it will make bubbling noises which I consider soothing as I drift to sleep. Be mindful that this humidifier may create wet spots on counters and surfaces and should be wiped down regularly.
Travel Humidifiers
The travel humidifiers are portable and hence will help you to decrease the discomfort while traveling in cramped spaces. They can be battery operated or rechargeable via a USB port. I tend to use a travel humidifier when traveling by plane or in a vehicle.
Here Are a Few Advantages to Using Humidifiers
Reduces Snoring
Using the humidifiers helps you in reducing the snoring problems. The dry environment makes it difficult for the person to breathe comfortably and as a result, you may start snoring. By using humidifiers, the added moisture can help lubricate the airways and thus making the breathing process more comfortable and convenient.
Avoids the Risk of Flu
The studies have proved that using humidifiers can reduce the chances of catching flu in the human body. It is easier for the bacteria to develop and grow more at extreme levels of humidity, such as when someone shifts from a dry environment into a moist one. Flu-like influenza is avoided by using humidifiers as these maintain the level of moisture in the air.
Can Offer Relief from Congestion
By balancing the humidity levels around, you can relieve your nasal passage from congestion. It is a good idea to use the humidifiers if you are suffering from a cold as it helps you in fast recovery and will not allow the infection to grow more. I’ve also used neti pots and hot steam baths in the past.
I hope this article was helpful in explaining the benefits and types of humidifiers that are available to you. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. For more information, please visit the resources I have listed below.
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/humidifiers-and-health
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/humidifiers/art-20048021
- https://learn.compactappliance.com/humidifier-mistakes/
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