Know the Health Benefits of Humidifiers

Staying in an air-conditioned room when the weather is hot is very pleasant. But without realizing it, dry air released by the AC actually gives a bad effect on the body. Although the air climate in the tropics has high humidity, but the use of air conditioning in the room can make air dry. Learn more about the health benefits of a humidifier below. Humidifier is an air humidifier that works by spraying water vapor into the air. This moisture will increase the humidity so that it is in the ideal range. In addition to regulating air humidity, a humidifier is also useful to overcome the irritation caused by dry air, such as dry skin, chapped lips, colds, to sore throats. However, excessive use of a humidifier can also worsen respiratory problems.

Understand the Benefits of Humidifiers

Here are some of the benefits that you can get from using a humidifier, including:

• Prevents sore throat

Sore throat can occur when the humidity level in the room is very low. Humidifiers can alleviate these conditions by increasing the humidity in the room, thus accelerating healing and preventing recurrence of sore throat.

• Moisturize skin and chapped lips

Too long in the air-conditioned room can cause dry skin and chapped lips. This happens because the use of air conditioning makes the air dry, thereby affecting the skin's moisture and lips. The use of air humidifiers such as humidifiers in the house or room, can prevent this condition.

• Protect eyes from irritation

Dust and foreign particles can scatter very quickly when the air is dry, making it easy to irritate the surface of the eye. Humidifier is useful to increase the humidity of the surrounding air and inhibit the spread of dust particles in the air.

• Facilitate breathing

Dry air is one of the causes of nasal congestion and difficulty breathing. The use of a humidifier can relieve nasal congestion, because it can increase the humidity in the surrounding air. In addition, the humidifier is also useful to eliminate discomfort due to allergic symptoms that often attack the respiratory tract.

• Prevent nosebleeds and sore throat

Nosebleeds are generally triggered by problems that attack the upper respiratory tract including the nose, such as allergies and colds. However, this condition can be prevented by using a humidifier, which can keep the air moist. In addition, the use of air humidifiers can also prevent you from strep throat caused by viral and bacterial infections.

Ideally, the humidity in the room ranges from 30 to 50 percent. Humidity that is too low can cause the skin to become dry and irritate the respiratory tract. However, too high humidity is also not good, because it can cause the room air to become stuffy and trigger the growth of mold, bacteria, and mites.

Stay Alert Against Humidifier Deficiencies

Behind the advantages of humidifiers, there are negative effects that you need to know from the use of air humidifiers. Here are some disadvantages that may be caused by a humidifier, such as:

• Bacterial and fungal growth

When you decide to use artificial air humidifiers such as humidifiers, you should be prepared to clean the device regularly to minimize the growth of bacteria and mold. If you are lazy to clean a humidifier, you risk getting respiratory infections caused by bacteria and fungi.

• Risk of recurrence of allergies

If the humidifier is rarely cleaned or not cleaned properly, not the good effects that can be obtained but the risk of disease. A dirty humidifier can pollute the air in the room, so that it can cause a recurrence of allergic symptoms and asthma. Therefore, it is important to clean the humidifier in the right way.

• Noisy

Some types of humidifiers produce noise when they start working. However, you can replace it with a quieter ultrasonic model.

• Excess humidity

Sometimes, some humidifiers are not equipped with a moisture meter, such as a humidistat or hygrometer. So, you are required to check the humidity in the room manually, so the room is not too humid. If the air in the room is too humid, it can increase the growth of bacteria and mold. Humidity that is too high in the room can also damage the structure of the building.

Tips on Cleaning the Humidifier

To be free from humidifier growth of bacteria and fungi, you need to follow some tips on cleaning the right humidifier.

• Clean the humidifier every three days

Clean the humidifier tank section from mineral deposits using hydrogen peroxide solution. You are advised to routinely clean the humidifier tank once every three days, so that it inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria.

• Change the air humidifier regularly

Before you replace the air humidifier, you should first empty the humidifier tank. Then dry the inside of the tank and refill it with clean water. It is recommended that you replace the water from the humidifier every day, if possible.

• Always rinse the tank after cleaning

In order to avoid dangerous substances that come along while cleaning the humidifier, you should rinse the humidifier thoroughly, so that no harmful chemicals enter the tank.

• Use distilled or demineralized water

When you replace the humidifier water, it is recommended to use distilled water (demineralized). This aims to reduce the mineral dust that is released into the air. In addition, cleaning the tank using distilled water is also useful in reducing mineral deposits that trigger bacterial growth.

The use of a humidifier in a room that has a low humidity level is indeed very beneficial. However, if you have a history of certain respiratory diseases, such as asthma, it is advisable to consult a doctor first before you take the benefits of a humidifier.