During the winter, there is not only a drop in the temperature but also the level of moisture in the air.
What makes the air even drier are the heating systems that help keep us warm while indoors, which isn’t a good thing either.
Good thing, using a humidifier can help ensure optimal indoor humidity levels.
Doing so will prevent winter-related health issues and damage to our properties, which are the top two main benefits of humidifier in winter.
Let’s break them down further to help you understand why humidifiers are must-haves whether you have snowy or snow-free cold winter months.
We’ll also introduce you to the ProNebu Mesh Portable Nebulizer, a popular device that, asthmatic or not, you can carry around and use as a personal humidifier.
Benefits of Humidifier in Winter for Humans
The improved air humidity levels minimize or remove health hazards that some aren’t aware of lurking around in their homes.
After all, these contaminants are not visible to the naked eye.
Improved indoor air quality, thanks to a humidifier, can lead to the following:
Reduced Risk of Infections
It has long been known that dry air plays a significant role in spreading bacteria and viruses.
In fact, a study has proven that it contributed to the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
Generally, moist air can halt the movement of airborne microorganisms because, as they combine with moisture, the particles become too heavy to float.
A 2013 study further proves this fact. It concluded that an environment with at least 43 percent humidity level inactivates the influenza virus.
Better Skin, Lips, Hair, and Eye Health
Dry, flaky, dull skin and hair, as well as peeling or chapped lips, aren’t uncommon when the dry winter months start to set in.
Some even experience bloodshot eyes due to irritation.
All these can happen because the amount of moisture these body parts receive isn’t optimal. Eye drops, moisturizers, and hair conditioners can only do so much.
A portable or whole-house humidifier can counter the moisture-stripping effect of the low humidity level.
It can help fix these problems or make it easier to manage flare-ups if you have existing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Comfortable Airways
Most of us, if not all, have experienced clogged noses during the cold or winter season, and we often attribute that to the cold weather.
While this is true, dry air also contributes to it.
Medically speaking, continuous breathing of dry, cold air leads to nose lining irritation and inflammation that triggers the body to produce more mucus.
This kind of air can also cause scratchy throats and unproductive cough because it strips the moisture out of your lungs and mouth.
Without enough moisture, the sticky phlegm stays trapped within your airways no matter how hard you try to cough it out.
Mouth breathers will also start snoring, or if they already do, the snoring becomes louder.
Breathing through the mouth already leads to throat dryness and irritation, so when they breathe in dry air, the condition worsens.
It goes without saying that running a humidifier over winter minimizes or prevents all these from happening.
That’s because it creates a more favorable or optimal scenario to soothe the respiratory (and oral) tissues.
Asthma and Allergy Relief
Although the ways dry air affect and humidifiers benefit people with allergies and asthma are similar to the last one, we separated them for a good reason.
Remember that dust is one of the triggers of allergy and asthma, and excessive humidity or moisture levels can help spread it.
So, if you or any of your household members have allergies or asthma, you must choose the right type of humidifier to enjoy its benefits.
Opt for modern humidifiers with humidity control. This way, you can set it to a level that will moisten the air without creating an ideal environment for dust mite movement.
As an asthmatic, it is also best to have a nebulizer you can rely on at a moment’s notice. You never know when you’ll experience asthma attacks, especially during the cold months.
That’s why having a portable device, like the ProNebu Mesh Portable Nebulizer, will greatly benefit you.
How Does the ProNebu Mesh Portable Nebulizer Help?
Free from tubing and air source, the compact ProNebu Mesh Portable Nebulizer is easy to pack and carry around.
Plus, it operates without noise, ensuring you won’t annoy anyone whether you use it in your office cubicle, school, or hotel room.
You will also love that it comes with both a mouthpiece and a mask, so you or your child can use whichever is more comfortable.
The ProNebu portable nebulizer uses modern vibrating mesh technology that atomizes medications and purified water into a fine mist.
The design allows you to use it both as a nebulizer and a humidifier, giving you great value for your money.
Benefits of Humidifier in Winter To Homes and Offices
Now, how about your property and the things in it that get damaged due to low indoor humidity or moisture level?
Well, running a humidifier over winter can lead to the following:
Healthier Indoor Plants Health
It isn’t a secret that plants require water to survive. Moisture in the air helps them thrive when you forget to water them or spray them with water.
So, you’ll notice that indoor plants are not as vibrant during the winter. Some even die unexpectedly if you forget to water them.
This is why increasing indoor humidity during the winter can also greatly benefit your plants.
Warmer Air
The first thing that probably comes to mind is that humidifiers make the air warmer because they produce hot mists.
There are types of humidifiers designed to release warm air.
However, the warmth in the room is mainly because the moist air caused by the humidifier retains the heat produced by your heating system.
Not only will it be more comfortable for you and everyone you live with, but it also helps you save on your utility bills.
Wood, Furnishing, and Finishing Protection
Dry air pulls out moisture from things and can lead to minor and major damages, depending on how much moisture has been removed.
Specifically, wooden flooring, furniture, and decors can crack, wood floors, chairs, and table joints can loosen, and wooden doors can become smaller.
Wallpapers and paint can also start peeling off or cracking.
Make all these items (and more) last longer by turning on your whole-house humidifier!
Minimal Static Shocks
You’ve likely experienced static shocks when you brush your hair, do your laundry, and when any metal gets in contact with another metal during the winter months.
This static electricity isn’t just annoying; it can also damage electronics and create sparks when they start to build up.
Since dry air is one of the causes, ensuring that the indoor environment has an optimal humidity level can minimize or even prevent static shocks.
Things To Keep in Mind When Using Humidifiers in Winter
While there are many benefits to using humidifiers, they also come with some risks, especially when misused.
Here are things you have to remember when using one:
Keep Your Humidifier Clean
Since your humidifier holds water and turns it into water vapor, expect that the unit becomes moist, which molds and mildew love.
That’s why you must ensure you don’t let any water or vapor sit in the device for too long. Better yet, dry your humidifier with a clean microfiber cloth after using it.
You should also thoroughly clean it by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Replacing humidifier filters as and when needed is advisable.
If you fail to do any of these, you might expose your home and respiratory system to germs.
Monitor the Humidity Level
Although the air is dry during the winter, you must ensure that you don’t increase your home’s humidity level too much.
Exposure to it can trigger allergies, and even respiratory conditions like colds, because molds, dust mites, and mildews love damp environments.
With that in mind, maintain a humidity level from 30 to 50 percent; anything higher than 60 percent is too high.
The good thing is that you can easily find a type of humidifier with an inbuilt hygrometer (humidity meter).
If you decide to buy one without this feature, you can always purchase a standalone hygrometer.
Always Use Clean Water
Like when using water in a nebulizer, you must only fill your humidifier with clean, filtered water, specifically, purified water.
Tap or hard water contains a lot of minerals and other particles that can harm your device and its parts.
They can also be pushed into the air when you run your device, which you and your family might inhale and can settle around your home as dust.
Choose the Right Spot for Your Humidifier
Especially if you have a humidifier that uses heat, be mindful of where you place your device because the mist produced can lead to burns.
Position it in areas with little to no foot traffic and where it can’t be knocked over by someone or your pet.
Using Humidifiers in Winter
There are many benefits to running a humidifier in winter that you should take advantage of, but make sure you use it correctly.
Whether or not you have asthma, we highly recommend investing in a personal hand-held, durable nebulizer-humidifier, like the ProNebu Mesh Portable Nebulizer.
It can come in handy when you travel and need to manage certain respiratory health conditions.
After all, nebulizers are also good for colds, can help flu patients, and can relieve COPD symptoms.
