In the first sign of cough, many people turned on the humidifier to increase the moisture in the air. Humidifiers come in several different sizes: the central unit is designed to humidify the entire house; the console unit is housed in a cabinet on the floor; the portable unit is small enough to move from one room to another. Some humidifiers disperse cold mist and other humidifiers disperse steam. The idea of whether a humidifier can alleviate the symptoms of cough and cold is different. If you use a humidifier, take precautions to avoid potential problems with bacteria, fungi and dust.
A girl reads a book with a humidifier at the front desk. (Source: yocamon / iStock / Getty Images) The jury came out
Although people used cold fog and steam humidifiers for decades, treating coughs and colds The symptoms, the information about their effectiveness are contradictory. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that cold mist humidifiers can relieve cough by relaxing mucus, but the World Health Organization and the Cochrane Collaboration's comments concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support cold fog or steam therapy.
Keep clean
If the humidifier - especially the cold mist type - is not properly cleaned, bacteria or fungi can grow in the tank and release into the room through the mist, which can cause health problems, from Flu-like symptoms to severe infections. Portable humidification tanks should be emptied, wiped dry and replenished daily. Every three days, each part of the device exposed to water is scrubbed with a disinfectant to remove the film or other deposits, and then thoroughly rinsed the tank before the next use. For central or console equipment, follow the manufacturer's instructions. When finished, make sure the humidifier is clean and dry before storing.
Use distilled water
Use distilled water or demineralized water instead of tap water in the dehumidifier to prevent the formation of mineral deposits in the water tank or other areas in contact with water. The use of distilled water also reduces the possibility of microbial and mineral dispersion into the room. The health risks associated with mineral dispersion are unclear, but one of the February 2011 issue of Pediatrics reported a post-mineral damage from a baby inhaled humidifier in London.
Monitoring Humidity
When indoor humidity exceeds 50%, moisture in the air promotes the growth of mold and bacteria. It can even condense on windows, walls and pictures. Therefore, if you notice condensation, the air in the room may be too humid. Some humidifiers have a built-in controller that can be set to the desired humidity level, or you can use an inexpensive hygrometer to monitor the humidity level in your home.
First, don't hurt
Steam humidifiers are the main cause of burns, especially children. Burns can occur when someone is too close to steam or boiling water to escape from the tank. The cool atomizing humidifier is the best choice for kids bedroom and steam umidifiers should not be used anywhere within the reach of children. Also, make sure the humidification plan is a good plan because not all coughs are caused by a cold. For example, for people who are coughing asthma that are sensitive to allergen sources that are prone to humidity, humidification may not be appropriate. Any troublesome cough that lasts for more than three weeks should be evaluated by a doctor.
