Health and humidifiers
Key points
- Increasing the humidity in your home helps eliminate the dry air that can irritate and inflame the passages in the nose and throat, and can relieve the discomfort of colds and the flu.
- Humidified air can be particularly helpful for people who suffer from asthma.
- Remember that humidifiers need to be drained and cleaned frequently - bacteria can multiply in dirty and stale water, including the bacteria that causes legionnaire's disease.
- If using a humidifier for a child, make sure it is a cool mist humidifier to avoid accidental steam burns.
Alternative names
Humidifiers and health
Information
Increasing the humidity in your home helps eliminate the dry air that can irritate and inflame the passages in the nose and throat, and can relieve the discomfort of colds and the flu. Humidified air can be particularly helpful for people who suffer from asthma.
Remember that humidifiers need to be drained and cleaned frequently - bacteria can multiply in dirty and stale water, including the bacteria that causes legionnaire's disease. If using a humidifier for a child, make sure it is a cool mist humidifier to avoid accidental steam burns.
Written and revised by
Andrey Nailor, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.