How Can Humidifiers Help With Allergies
A humidifier is an electronic device that pumps moisture into the air. When the humidity in a room is too low or too high, it can trigger allergy symptoms, especially when you’re dealing with dust, pollen from open windows, or indoor pets. You can place a humidifier in any room or enclosed space of your home. Simply stated, humidifiers work by creating moisture and filtering dust, dander, and virus particles from the air.
Now that we’re spending a larger chunk of our time indoors, it’s more important than ever to create a safe environment to eat, sleep, work, and live in. And humidifiers help to do just that. Too little humidity causes inflamed, irritated nasal passages, rashes, and dry skin, and too much creates an environment ripe for bacteria, dust mites, and molds, all of which can affect your health. It can contribute towards something called sick building syndrome, which we deal with in our related investigation.
Top 6 Best Humidifier For Allergies Reviews & Consumers Guide In 2020
Although there are lots of humidifiers on the market not all kind of humidifier is best for allergies. So what type of humidifier is best for allergies? That is why we have selected our list of the best humidifier for allergies with reviews to guide you.
Sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and other forms of related allergies symptoms can be caused by dry indoor air. These problems are threats if you are among those suffering such symptoms in homes where there is a low humidity level.
Humidity is defined as the amount of vapor present in the air at a relative time. According to findings, too low or high humidity affects us negatively as such, it should be maintained moderately.
The bottom line, humidifiers helps to release moist air into the atmosphere of homes, offices, and other indoor environments. So in doing this, we should ensure the right range of humidity levels 35% 60% should be put into consideration to avoid the negative side of reduced or excess humidity in the house.
Nevertheless, for those looking for a humidifier suitable for allergies situation, we need to understand that there are two kinds of humidifiers. It exists in either cool mist or warm mist humidifier. Cool mist humidifiers release cool moisture which helps to ease some form of allergy condition. On the other hand, warm mist type is seen as more beneficial for allergies problems. This is because it releases warm mist that can ease sinuses, free nasal congestion, alleviate sneezing, etc.
Our Pick For The Best Humidifier: Levoit Classic 300s Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier
*At the time of publishing, the price was $70.
Of the more than two-dozen humidifiers weve tested over the years, the Wi-Ficonnected Levoit Classic 300S Ultrasonic Smart Humidifier offers the best combination of easy maintenance and quiet, reliable performance. Its also the first ultrasonic model weve tested that was actually able to stop itself from over-humidifying a rooma surprisingly monumental feat. The 6-liter tank is large enough to last a whole day, and it is easier to open, fill, and clean than nearly any other tank weve tried. The Classic 300S also has a built-in night-light, along with the option to turn off both the light and the digital LCD screen, depending on how you like to sleep. Thoughtful features like these make the Classic 300S more pleasant to live with overall, and they can all be controlled by four capacitive buttons on the unit itself or via app or voice command. Even the smartphone app was surprisingly delightful. And though initially we were pretty skeptical about the idea of a smart humidifier, it won us over with its remarkably user-friendly design, which genuinely made our lives easier. When it comes to humidifiers, ease of living is really the ideal.
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Best Ultrasonic: Pure Enrichment Hume Xl Ultrasonic Humidifier
Run Time: 50 Hours
Five-Star Ratings: 25,200+
What You’ll Love: The ultrasonic design doesn’t use filters or require distilled water, so you save money on operational costs.
What You Need to Know: Negative reviewers complain the humidifier is super difficult to clean and is difficult to fill up.
This ultrasonic humidifier with more than 7,500 reviews is a fantastic Amazon find that can quickly humidify spaces up to 400 square feet for as long as 50 hours. The ultrasonic technology used to create the mist stands out from other designs by skipping the need for expensive filters. It also works with regular tap water, instead of the distilled water many humidifiers require, making it easier to refill as needed. Other standout features include an essential oil tray to add soothing aromas, a blue LED night light, and an automatic shut-off.
Taotronics Cool Mist Humidifier Ultrasonic
The TaoTronics humidifier is very similar to our last option and comes at a good price point as well. It uses an ultrasonic vibration to quietly disperse water in the air and is great for babies with allergies and adults too.
TaoTronics has an adjustable vapor setting to keep humidity and mist flow at a level you prefer. Its also smaller than the first 2 humidifiers and holds 4 liters of water.
Sure it will need refilling more often, but it will also take up less space in a room. The humidifier is perfect for rooms around 500 square feet and works well in a child or adult room or in an office at work.
Converse to the previous humidifiers, TaoTronics doesnt have the ability to diffuse essential oils into the air and the company advises against putting essential oils into the water.
Over 500 customers like how this humidifier works with the only negative comments coming from people who dont like using distilled water .
I like the design and the colors. Its mostly white but has one side that is blue/clear to show the water level. Overall this is a good humidifier for smaller rooms and it comes at a fair price.
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Things To Consider When Purchasing A Humidifier
Size: It is essential to consider the size of the room before purchasing the humidifier. A compact humidifier would be suitable for rooms up to 300 sq. ft. or smaller, while for a room size between 300 to 600 sq. ft, medium-sized humidifiers should be sufficient. For room areas up to 1000 sq. ft., whole-house humidifiers should be considered.
Water Tank Capacity: Humidifiers are available in varying tank capacities and should be considered based on the areas frequency of use and size. If a humidifier is required to run all night long, it is advisable to invest in a humidifier with a large tank capacity, necessitating fewer refills. However, the bigger size will entail the use of more space and also impact the budget.
Demineralization Cartridge: If your house gets hard water, we recommend a humidifier with a demineralization cartridge, which collects the minerals rally present in hard water and prevents them from being released into the air as fine white dust nuisance and a respiratory irritant.
Noise: Getting a relatively noiseless humidifier can lead to a peaceful home environment and a good nights sleep. It is ideal to consider units equipped with ultrasonic technology, given that they operate quietly for better nights sleep.
Warranty: Before investing in a humidifier, consider the type and duration of the warranty offered with the unit. Different kinds of warranties include parts replacement, unit repair, unit replacement, etc.
How To Choose The Best Humidifier For Your Home
Compare mist options. Humidifiers either use warm mist or cool mist to add moisture to the air. Ultrasonic humidifiers can be either warm mist or cool mist, and some units include the option for both.
The type you choose is ultimately up to you, but in general, cool mist humidifiers are the safest option , according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Warm mist humidifiers, meanwhile, run hot and have the potential to cause burns if you get too close. Also, evaporative humidifiers often spit out invisible mist, so dont be alarmed if they dont appear to be working.
Measure your space. The best size for your humidifier depends on the size of the room in which you plan to use it. Personal or travel-sized humidifiers typically only reach 25 to 100 square feet. Check the square footage your machine can reach on its packaging before you invest in one.
Pick an easy-to-clean option. Its best to regularly change the filter or clean your humidifier, preferably daily, but at least every two to three days, so pick an option with cheap filters, plus parts that are easy to wash. Otherwise, mold could grow inside the device due to standing water and get blown through your home, making life pretty awful for those with mold allergiesor anyone, really. Better yet, use distilled water in your chosen machine if possible, since tap water contains minerals that can breed bacteria and irritate your sinuses.
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Can One Of These Purchases Ever Make Allergies Worse
When your goal is to relieve your allergy symptoms, the last thing you want is to realize that the brand new purchase you just unboxed and set up is making your sniffling and sneezing worse.
Unfortunately, that can happenbut you can avoid it. To do so, make sure that you:
- Choose the right system for you: If youre experiencing congestion because dry air is causing inflammation of your nasal passages, setting up a dehumidifier will only kick your symptoms into high gear.
- Commit to proper cleaning and maintenance: All of these systems are ripe for bacteria if you dont clean them properly and regularly. Follow the instructions to clean and disinfect your equipment so that you dont spread mold or other irritants around your home.
Doing so will help you ensure that whatever air improvement device you go with actually helps you rather than hurts you.
Impact On Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of your nasal cavity that impacts about one in every five people. Symptoms include congestion, inflammation and irritation. One way to help reduce the inflammation is to breathe humid air, as the water vapor in the air can help moisten the nasal tissue
While the extra humidity may help reduce your allergy symptoms caused by inflammation, it can also create a breeding ground for dust mites, mold and mildew, three common causes of allergic rhinitis.
Experts estimate that you should try to keep the humidity level in your home between 40-50%, to both keep allergens at bay and to help moisten your nasal passage. A hygrometer can help you monitor the humidity levels in your home.
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What About Putting A Pot Of Water On A Radiator
In researching humidification options that dont require tons of time and attention to maintain, we came across a common DIY suggestion for those who live with steam radiators: Just put a pot of water on it. The idea being that the water will heat up as the radiator runs, gently steaming the pot and producing humidity without the need for all the care and maintenance of an actual humidifier.
To test this, one of our writerswho typically dreads turning on the annoying and capricious radiator in his Brooklyn apartment in the wintertried out the method for a few weeks in February and March of 2021. Using the same Lascar data loggers, we tracked the humidity changes over time and compared the fluctuations to the performance of our budget pick and to the alternative option of doing nothing at all.
The results were mixed. Using the pot was marginally better than doing nothing, raising the relative humidity by about 5% when it was on the radiator. But that humidification rate was easily eclipsed by our budget pick on its lowest setting, which increased the humidification by double digits. The pot also had the downside of working only at the whims of the radiators heating cycle .
We also tried adding multiple pots to the radiator, as well as a shallow baking pan, hoping that the larger surface area would lead to more evaporated water in the air, but we saw no difference in performance.
Ultrasonic Viral Support Humidifier
- Smaller water capacity
Its difficult to find a great humidifier for less than $30, but this filterless option proves that its not impossible. While others in this price range usually hold less than half a liter of water, this one fits 1.5, which translates to far fewer trips to the sink. Take advantage of its lowest setting, which offers seven to 25 of continuous mistitll shut off when it runs dry. We love that its super quiet and has a slight blue glow for nighttime use. I really like this humidifier, especially since it doesn’t require a filter, one reviewer notes. It is small enough so that I can have it on my nightstand.
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Does Dry Air Affect Your Allergy
Breathing in dry air is bad for everyone. Of course, you may ask why it is so bad for allergy sufferers in particular. We put together some of the ways dry air can harm those with allergies.
- It dries out your mucous membranes in your nose and throat. What do these mucous membranes do? They catch and filter out items entering your body when you breathe. Mucus membranes help prevent these items from entering the rest of the respiratory system. They catch viruses, bacteria, dust, pollen, mold, and other items that can trigger your allergies. They are not as effective as when fully moisturized. So what can happen if they are too dry to catch these items? Bacteria, dust, mold can enter the respiratory system and trigger your allergic response.
- Dry air irritates the sinuses. Right, where many allergy sufferers feel their symptoms the most. Since you mostly breathe through your nose, your sinuses get hit hard by dry air.
- It also can dry out the things that trigger your allergies, such as dust mites and pollen. That is not good news. If they are dried out, they become lighter and better able to travel in the air and into your lungs.
- Many allergies cause skin reactions. When the air is dry, it will dry out the skin, making it more susceptible to reactions.
Everlasting Comfort Cool Mist Humidifier Ultrasonic
Most people havent heard of the company Everlasting Comfort but dont let it deter you. They primarily sell on Amazon and offer a solid 2-year warranty. Customers like the support they receive from the company and there are almost 2000 reviews.
Similar to the Levoit humidifier, this one has a 6-liter tank which can last 50 hours before needing a refill.
Everlasting Comfort also provides a tray for essential oils where a fan adds it to the mist. Its marketed for babies, children, college students and adults and great for people with allergies who suffer from rhinitis, asthma, and other respiratory symptoms.
- LED nightlight
- Auto shut off
I really appreciate the warranty and also like the sleek design and black color which hides well in a dark room. Customers give it overwhelmingly positive reviews for its quietness, ease of use, and price point.
This is a well-priced option that will last many years and keep allergies at bay. Perfect for fighting those dry winters and summers.
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Best For Winter: Pure Guardian Ultrasonic Warm And Cool Mist Humidifier
Run Time: 100 Hours
Five-Star Ratings: 60+
What You’ll Love: The ultrasonic design releases both warm and cool mist, and it barely requires maintenance thanks to anti-mildew silver technology.
What You Need to Know: Reviewers struggled to swap between warm and cool mist, and a few shoppers experienced issues with the tank cracking within months of ownership.
When flu season rolls around, you’ll be grateful for this humidifier’s UV-C light technology, which kills germs that could be lingering in the unit’s mist. The large 2-gallon tank means the machine is powerful enough to cover spacious rooms and can humidify your home for up to 100 hours. That means you can tackle the woes of winterincluding nasal congestion, coughs, and dry skinwithout having to constantly refill the tank. Better yet, silver clean technology in the tank reduces the amount of time you’ll have to spend cleaning the tank, whether you opt for warm or cool mist.
Homasy Cool Mist Humidifiers
With a large 2.2 liter tank, this humidifier is great for spacious bedrooms or your living room. A rotating nozzle ensures an even distribution of humidity, and it can run for 24 hours in low speed before automatically shutting off when the water is low. Adjust the amount of mist with a dial, which gives an accurate level of humidity to suit your needs. Customers noted how quiet, easy to clean, and non-invasive this option is and at a price point under $40, you can’t go wrong.
“Love the small humidifier I purchased I use it in a bedroom and it makes a tremendous difference! So quiet you don’t know it’s on and provides just the right amount of moisture to keep me breathing easy all through cold weather months,” reported a shopper.
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How Humidifiers Can Help With Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, you might come to despise the changing of the seasons and the pollen floating through the air. Even if you shut yourself inside for days on end, there are still several allergens in your home that can irritate your respiratory system and skin.
Consider buying a humidifier rather than popping allergy pills and emptying tissue boxes an hour at a time.
Preventing Allergies From Developing
Reducing exposure to the dusty atmosphere is the best solution that can be offered to a person suffering from indoor allergy and sinusitis infections.
But since getting rid of it completely is almost impossible for us today, this may not be a viable solution for all.
Here are additionally useful and controllable tips that can help you prevent allergies in a more effective way:
- Keep your bedroom dry and clean. Encase your pillow and beds with mite-proof material.
- Keep the allergic patient away from the place that is being cleaned.
- If you are a person affected by allergy and have to do the cleaning yourself, use a face mask to safeguard your breath.
- Pets at home are also the leading cause of spreading allergies keep them away from your bedroom if you are allergic.
- Maintain a proper humidity level in your house or office. Do not let mites grow in too much humidity and control the growth of bacteria and viruses in dry air.
- Using home appliances like a vacuum cleaner, purifier and humidifier might help remove a certain quantity of mites and should be considered.
- Install a high-quality filter in your air conditioning, air purifiers, humidifier sets, and heating apparatus.
Above all, Anti Allergen Spray or Allergen Blocker can also be used to get rid of all types of particles that are known to trigger allergy symptoms.
These anti-allergen sprays are safe for people & pets and can be used to re-treat the surfaces every 90 days to get the best benefits.
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