Their steady stream of water vapor is a common sight in the winter months. Many people run humidifiers because of the health benefits they provide. If you don’t know everything they can do for you, this blog is worth a read.
What is a humidifier?
Humidifiers are electronic devices that release moisture into the air to increase humidity. These are especially useful in dry months, when humidity decreases.
What can a humidifier do for my eyes?
Dry air and heaters can lead to dry eye, particularly in the winter months. A humidifier can help prevent dry eye by creating more humidity.
What can a humidifier do for a dry throat?
Keeping your throat hydrated and lubricated is the best way to keep it from getting dry and sore. Running a humidifier, in conjunction with regular fluid consumption and taking hot showers, can hydrate you and keep your throat lubricated.
What can a humidifier do if I’m sick?
Humidity has been shown to kill viruses, so running a humidifier can be a good idea when you’re sick. Also, when air is dry, it can dry out your nasal passages, which is an irritation that can cause more mucus production. So, a humidifier can help counter a runny nose, post-nasal drip, or coughing, providing you with much-needed relief while you heal. Similarly, a humidifier can help loosen the mucus in your lungs, allowing for easier expulsion.
What can a humidifier do for my nosebleeds?
Dry air is the most common cause of nosebleeds, especially in children. A lack of humidity can dry out and irritate the skin inside the nose and cause capillaries to break. A humidifier would help prevent that.
What can a humidifier do for my allergies?
The more mucus in your nasal passages, the harder a job your body has of eliminating allergens. A humidifier will keep your nasal passage moist, which cuts down on mucus. However, please note that while this helps with pollen allergies, winter allergies are usually caused by mold and dust. Mold thrives in damp environments, and moisture helps dust mites grow. So, while a humidifier can help in winter, running it for too long could be counterproductive. Also, you must regularly drain and clean your humidifier, as mold can grow in it if the water stagnates.
Additional care at CEENTA
Humidifiers are wonderful, but they can’t do everything. If you have eye, ENT, or allergy issues your humidifier isn’t helping with, make an appointment with a CEENTA doctor, and they’ll help finish the healing process your humidifier started.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. You can now schedule an appointment online with any of our 150 providers in nearly 20 locations across North and South Carolina. You can also schedule through myCEENTAchart or by calling 704-295-3000.
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates
