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Used correctly, a humidifier can help with nose bleeds, allergies, dry skin and more
Static in your hair and sparks flying when you touch things are sure signs the air in your house is too dry. And an arid home can negatively affect your health.
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“When the air is dry, your respiratory system just isn’t happy,” says pulmonologist Sobia Farooq, MD. “Even if you have no medical problems at all, you can feel the effects. Your skin and nasal passages get dry — all the way down to your lungs.”
But are humidifiers the solution? Oftentimes, the answer is yes. Dr. Farooq highlights their health benefits. She also shares essential tips on proper care and maintenance to ensure safe and effective use.
“Dry air can irritate your nose and lungs, potentially aggravating existing conditions,” Dr. Farooq explains. “A humidifier is one of the best ways to improve indoor air quality and support better breathing.”
Dr. Farooq emphasizes that everyone can benefit from having a humidifier at home.
“Think of humidifiers as a preventive measure,” she suggests. “When the air lacks proper humidity, it becomes uncomfortable. Investing in a humidifier is an investment in your health. If you use one — and use it correctly — you’ll notice the difference and feel better.”
Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of humidifiers:
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They’re not complicated machines, but humidifiers can seriously improve your life … and even your living space. That’s right! They’re even good for your furniture!
Dr. Farooq explains the health benefits of humidifier use.
Keeping your upper respiratory tract properly moisturized can help it function more smoothly. A humidifier also helps thin mucus, making coughing or blowing your nose more effective.
Adding moisture to the air can soothe irritation and reduce inflammation in your airways, helping them become less reactive. However, it’s important to maintain indoor humidity below 50 percent. Also ensure your humidifier’s kept clean to avoid potential issues. (More on that in a bit.)
Running a humidifier at night can help promote restful sleep in several ways.
When your airways are dried out, you’re more likely to snore. You’re also at a greater risk of waking up coughing or having your sleep interrupted by unpleasant symptoms like nosebleeds and dry mouth.
When the air has just the right amount of moisture content, Dr. Farooq says it makes a difference you can see. Your skin’s less likely to crack, itch and chap during the cold winter months.
Upping the humidity can make your hair similarly resilient, reducing split ends and static, improving texture, taming frizz and upping the shine factor. Some people even find that it makes their haircare products more effective.
And let’s not forget about your fingernails and toenails. During the wintertime, they can become dry and brittle. Using a humidifier can improve their strength, thickness and flexibility.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends keeping your home’s humidity level between 30% and 50%. So, plan to run a humidifier whenever your household falls below that metric.
How often you run a humidifier depends on many factors including:
Your best bet: Check the operating instructions for your humidifier. You may need to run yours for as little as two hours. But some units are most effective when they run for 10 or 12 hours.
If you enjoy aromatherapy, you may be wondering if you can add a few drops of fragrance to your humidifier.
The (unsatisfying) answer is: It depends. But it’s usually not a good idea!
To be safe, check the manufacturer’s instructions before adding anything to the water in your humidifier. And keep the following out of the reservoir:
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You need to keep tabs on your humidifier to ensure it’s clean and in proper working order, Dr. Farooq says. Here are some basic rules to ensure your humidifier works for you, not against you:
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If you have any concerns that your humidifier could be negatively impacting your health — especially your respiratory health — Dr. Farooq urges you to stop using it and contact your provider.
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