Guest guest Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 February 17, 2004 More Information Home humidifiers: Soothe your nose, throat and skin By Mayo Clinic staff Does your home heating and cooling system have a built-in humidifier? Do you use a tabletop humidifier to soothe nasal and respiratory passages when you or your children are ill? If you do, be sure to use your humidifier safely. And most important, keep it clean. The highs and lows of humidity A hot-mist vaporizer contains a heating element that converts water to steam, which adds moisture to the air. When the air inside your home is too dry, you'll probably notice a build-up of static electricity. You may also notice that your nasal passages, throat, lips and skin feel dry. It's not unusual for the humidity level to drop inside your home during the winter months. Heating your home can reduce the amount of moisture in the air, especially if you use a forced-air heating system that doesn't include a humidifier. Ideally, humidity levels inside your home should range from about 30 percent to 50 percent. Air that is too dry can irritate the lining of your nose, throat and sinuses and may even cause the lining of your nose to bleed. But don't let the humidity get higher than 50 percent. Excess moisture can promote the growth of dust mites, a microscopic organism. The waste products of dust mites end up in household dust and when inhaled can cause allergic reactions. Excess humidity inside your home also promotes the growth of mold, fungi and bacteria. Types of humidifiers: Built-ins and portables You may already have a humidifier built into your heating and air conditioning system. If you do, be sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions for maintenance and cleaning. If you don't, you can have one installed that connects to your forced-air heating system. Newer models of heating and cooling systems feature ultraviolet lamps that destroy harmful mold, fungi and bacteria. Another option is to purchase a portable humidifier. These come in floor and tabletop varieties. A floor model is often called a console. They're generally the size of the refrigerator used in college dormitory rooms or hotel rooms. You can purchase one wherever household appliances are sold. If you're a parent, you may be most familiar with tabletop humidifiers. Perhaps your pediatrician or family doctor has recommended that you use one when your child is sick with a cold, croup or influenza. Most tabletop humidifiers are referred to as vaporizers. You can purchase one at a pharmacy or retail store. What types of tabletop humidifiers are available? Tabletop humidifiers are classified by the way in which they add humidity to the air. Hot-mist vaporizer. Because the water temperature in a hot-mist vaporizer rises to the boiling point, keep an eye on small children. Small children can burn themselves if they touch the opening where the steam comes out or if they accidentally pull the vaporizer off a table. You can purchase over-the-counter medications to pour into a special compartment in a hot-mist vaporizer or to pour directly into the water. The medication will be dispersed into the air with the steam. These preparations may reduce coughing and usually contain menthol, camphor and eucalyptus oil. But it's probably the steam that helps the most. If it's OK with your pediatrician or family doctor, use a cool-mist vaporizer with small children to avoid accidental burns. And keep the electrical cord attached to all types of humidifiers out of the reach of small children. Cool-mist vaporizer. This type of humidifier has a rapidly rotating fan called an impeller, which turns water droplets into a fine mist. It's less expensive than other types of humidifiers, so many people use them to humidify a portion of their homes. Most cool-mist humidifiers come with a filter to clean the air before it's humidified. Be sure you change the filter at least as often as the manufacturer recommends, and more often if it's dirty. Ultrasonic vaporizer. A fine mist is created as water passes over a high-frequency ultrasonic nebulizer — a device that creates an aerosol spray. This kind of humidifier is more expensive than other types. But the fine water droplets it creates may reach smaller airways in the lower chest. Evaporative humidifier. A fan blows air through a moistened filter or wick, increasing the humidity in the air. If you use a tabletop humidifier because you or a family member is sick, ask your pediatrician or family doctor about which type he or she recommends. Who can benefit from a humidifier? A humidifier provides comfort and relief for adults and children with: Influenza A sore throat Upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold and bronchitis Lower respiratory infections (pneumonia) Sinusitis Asthma Croup Dry skin, dry eyes or dried out nasal linings Acute sinusitis Asthma Bronchitis Cold Croup Dry eyes Influenza What are the health risks of humidifiers? Without regular cleaning and maintenance, bacteria and fungi can grow in your humidifier's tank and may become part of the moist air you're breathing. When that happens, respiratory problems — such as humidifier fever — can result. Humidifier fever (hypersensitivity pneumonitis) is a hypersensitivity reaction in which your lungs become inflamed from breathing in large amounts of fungal spores that have grown in humidifier water. Humidifier fever is also called humidifier lung. Signs of humidifier fever include cough, shortness of breath and fever. If you see a doctor for these symptoms and you use a home humidifier, make sure you tell him or her that you use one. Your doctor may ask you to bring in a sample of the water and send it to a laboratory for a culture. Antibiotics aren't effective against humidifier lung. Cleaning the humidifier and a little time may be all you need to get over humidifier fever. Bacteria that cause Legionnaires' disease also can grow in humidifier tanks, although this is much more common in large industrial humidifiers. Legionnaires' disease Who's at risk? Humidifiers, if not properly maintained, can increase the risk of illness for: People receiving treatment for chronic health conditions, such as lung disease and asthma People with suppressed immune systems, such as someone receiving chemotherapy or living with an organ transplant People with mold allergies Talk with your doctor if you're uncertain about whether a humidifier will help or harm your condition. How to care for your humidifier Don't let the remedy to one problem create another. Follow these suggestions for using a humidifier safely. Consult a heating and cooling specialist. If you have a humidifier built into your heating and cooling system, ask your heating and cooling specialist about proper maintenance. Keep extra supplies on hand if your system requires disposable filters and special sanitizing solutions. Keep a copy of the manufacturer's instructions. Get a built-in system inspected at least once a year. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance and safety if you have a console. Compare features before you buy. A tabletop humidifier is less expensive than a built-in or console unit. But it may humidify the air in only one room and usually requires frequent filling with water — sometimes a couple of times a day. You'll also want to compare safety features. Some tabletop humidifiers have an automatic shut-off valve that turns the machine off if the water tank runs dry. Others feature high-grade plastic parts that you can easily remove and sanitize in your dishwasher. Some hot-mist vaporizers have safety latches to prevent accidental scalding. To minimize the growth of microscopic organisms, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests the following for cleaning tabletop humidifiers: Change the water every day. Don't allow film or deposits to develop. Empty the tank, dry the inside surfaces and refill with clean water. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Use distilled or demineralized water. Tap water contains minerals that can create bacteria-friendly deposits. When released into the air, these minerals often appear as white dust on your furniture. Clean your humidifier often. Unplug the device before cleaning it. If chlorine bleach or another disinfectant is used, rinse the tank well afterward to avoid breathing in harmful chemicals. Clean or replace sponge filters or belts when needed. Keep the humidity between 30 percent and 50 percent. Levels higher than 50 percent may create a buildup of moisture. When moisture condenses on surfaces, mold, fungi and bacteria can grow. Periodically check the humidity with a hygrometer, available at your local hardware store. Clean your tabletop humidifier before you store it. Clean it again when you take it out of storage, and remove any dust from the exterior. A humidifier can provide relief from the effects of dry winter air and soothe irritated nasal and respiratory passages. But be sure you follow the manufacturer's directions for keeping your humidifier free of harmful mold, fungi and bacteria. Don't let your humidifier become a hazard to your health. Related Information Children's Health Center Asthma Center Allergy Center Infectious Disease Center December 23, 2003 http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=DF9C6CB0-CEE5-40D6- AFF0B81BF0BC3673 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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