As soon as there is a sign of cough, many people turn on the humidifier to add moisture to the air. The humidifier has several different sizes: the central unit is designed to wet the air throughout the room; the console unit is encapsulated in a cabinet on the floor; and the portable unit is small enough to be taken from one room to another. Some humidifiers disperse cold fog, others disperse steam. There are different opinions on whether humidifiers can relieve cough and cold symptoms. If you use a humidifier, take precautions to avoid potential problems associated with bacteria, fungi and dust.
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span= "article-image inner caption-class"> A girl is reading a book with a humidifier in front. (pictures: yocamon/istock/getty image s) The jury was out. Although people have used cold fog and steam humidifiers to treat cough and cold symptoms for decades, the information about their effectiveness is contradictory. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that cold fog humidifiers relieve cough by relaxing mucus, but comments by the World Health Organization and the Cochrane Collaboration suggest that there is insufficient evidence to support cold fog or steam therapy. If the humidifier, especially the cold fog humidifier, is not cleaned properly, bacteria or fungi will grow in the water tank and release into the room through mist, which may lead to health problems ranging from influenza-like symptoms to severe infections. The portable humidifier box should be emptied, dried and refilled every day. Every three days, disinfectants should be used to scrub all parts of the device exposed to water to remove film or other deposits, and then rinse the tank thoroughly before the next use. For central or console units, follow the manufacturer's instructions. When you are finished, make sure the humidifier is clean and dry before storage.
Use distilled water
Use distilled water or desalted water in dehumidifier instead of tap water to prevent mineral deposition in water tank or other parts in contact with water. Distilled water also reduces the possibility of microorganisms and minerals dispersing indoors. The health risks associated with mineral dispersion remain unclear, but the February 2011 issue of Pediatrics only reported lung injuries in an infant after inhaling mineral dust from a humidifier. < p > < H3 > monitoring humidity level < / H3 > < p > when indoor humidity level exceeds 50%, moisture in the air can promote the growth of fungi and bacteria. It can even be condensed on windows, walls and pictures. So if you notice condensation, the air in the room may be too humid. Some humidifiers have a built-in control that you can set to the required humidity level, or you can use a cheap hygrometer to monitor the humidity level at home.