The Best Humidifier For Allergies Reviews: Asthma, Coughing & Sneezing | Consumer Reports 2018 – 2020

For so many reasons, people suffer allergies during the winter and all these are attributed to dry air cold air that accompanied it. Although, am not yet to discuss about winter allergies but here to help on how to manage the low humidity condition that set in during the period with my list of best humidifier for allergies and reviews. Some people may wonder if humidifiers can help allergies or not.

Well, it is a stated fact that sneezing, coughing, watery and irritating eyes is some of the symptoms associated with low humidity environment and all of these aforementioned conditions are on the high side during winter season (months). However, various studies conclude raising indoor humidity can help prevents or alleviate symptoms and one of the ways to raise humidity level faster is by using a humidifier. So you can place a unit of a humidifier in a strategic location in the house while helping you ease allergies. However, as a writer in the field of humidity with years of experience in product reviews and publication, I have sample and come up with a list of some best humidifiers you can consider for allergies (asthma inclusive). Follow me as I introduce you to them. You can also check my discussion of best humidifier for dry skin if you are so concerned about your skin health.

1. Vicks Germ-Free Warm Mist Humidifier

My top #1 unit Vicks warm mist is a product that is equipped with a patent ultraviolet chamber that helps kills germs, mold and spores that also contribute to allergies triggers. For additional soothing relief from cold or cough symptoms, you can use the unit wit Vicks VapoSteam or VapoPad. All these work together to improve easy breathing process and also aid a restful night rest.

One unique thing about the warm mist germ free unit, it is designed with easy to use experience such as a removable dual tank featuring a handle for quick refilling and movement around. Most relevantly, quiet whisper mode while providing bacteria – free air for up to 24 hours from two liter tank. Below are the specs associated with this unit:

2. Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier – Best Air Humidifier for Bedroom

Stepping next on the list is an ultrasonic unit that delivers suitable cool mist and it’s manufactured by the Geniani Company. The unit is ideal for bedroom, living room and also baby room. With small foot print size, hardly will it be noticed by visitors while accommodating little space.

It comes featuring whole lot of features, among them is 3L tank that make the unit to run for approximately 12 hours on high settings while up to 24 hours on low setting on each refill.  Detail break down of the specs is listed below:

3. Honeywell HWM705B Filter Free Warm Moisture

Honeywell HWM705B is in the third place with high user’s satisfaction and ratings. With this unit, you will enjoy medicine cup where you can add liquid inhalant for added relief from allergies.  Two speed settings available (High and low) choose between accordingly. The warm moisture unit from Honeywell brand is associated with low maintaining cost as it uses no filter that needs to be washed or replaced.

4. Optimus U-31001 Cool Mist Ultrasonic

Here is another wonderful unit you can consider if you are battling with allergies due to low humidity at home. From the image display, you will notice the classic and transparent tank which will add up your home décor’ while delivering cool mist from its 1.5 gallon for up-to eighty hours.  No disturbance from this unit as it whisper while in operation.

5. TaoTronics Top Fill Wide Opening Ultrasonic for Home

The Taotronics top fill unit hit the number 5 spot on my best humidifier for allergy discussion. This unit offers easy filling time as it feature top opening tank making it possible to achieve the needful.

One remarkable feature that differentiates it among the rest unit on this page, it can be use with essential oil to achieve automatized humid air. However, if you’re looking forward to enjoy this feature then consider investing on this unit. But before you do that, take a look at other aspect of the top-fill Taotronics humidifier below:

Understanding Humidifiers For Asthma or Allergies 

Humidifiers can help sooth bloody noses, dry sinus passages and cracked lips. More so, the cool mist humidifiers seems good for cold and respiratory symptoms.

Nevertheless, if you don’t maintained your device properly or output more moisture than required– these can make you feel sick. Also note, that dirty humidifiers are breeding ground for bacteria and molds. So it is very important to check the level of humidity levels and also clean humidifier frequently.

Although humidifier can ease allergies or asthma – Nonetheless, if you’re experiencing one of these problem, it is better you speak with your doctor before using a humidifier

What is humidifier?

This is a device that emits steams or vapor into the air to increase moisture levels. It exist in various forms:

• Ultrasonic humidifiers: This use ultrasonic vibration to produce cool mist.
• Central humidifiers: This are installed into home HAVC or heating system which serve whole house humidification.
• Evaporators: These have fan and wick filter and the working principle involves blowing of air through the wick filter for evaporative mists production.
• Impeller: Use rotating disc to release coo mist like the ultrasonic models.
• Steam Vaporizers: Heat water and cools it before releasing the output. Household with children are advised to decline these models as hot water spillage can cause burns.

What Is The Right Level Of Humidity For Homes?    

The amount of vapor in the air referred to humidity. The level thus varies in respect to weather, season of the year and geographical location. In the summer is known for high humidity while in the winter humidity is lower. High or too low humidity can cause problem – the ideal level for home is expected to be from 30 – 50 %. Here are the problems that result from abnormal humidity level:

• High humidity: High moisture results to condensations on home walls or floors. In such high humidity molds, dust mites, bacteria that are harmful to health are triggered. In addition, these allergens can lead to respiratory problems including allergies and asthmatic episode.

• Low humidity Levels: If your home is characterized by low humidity then these are some of the symptoms such as dry lips, dry skin, itchy ears and irritating nasal passages.

How to Measure Home Humidity Levels

Hygrometer is the best tool for indoor humidity measurement. The machine is in the form of a thermometer and can be place anywhere in the house to track moisture level. It can be purchased on hardware stores or online – not expensive.

Advised, if you’re purchasing your new humidifier ensure to pick a model deigned with a built in humidistat – this feature auto regulate humidity level.

Humidifiers vs. Allergies and Asthma

For those with allergies or asthma whether children or adult, it is better to consult a doctor before the use of a humidifier. Increasing humidity can ease breathing challenges in asthma or allergies related individuals especially in cold situation. But at the same time, high humidity or dirty mist also results to increase in allergens that can worsen allergy and asthma sickness.

Air Conditioning or Dehumidifiers Ideal for Too Damp Air

As we’ve said earlier, a reduced humidity is bad, likewise too damp air.

In summer when humidity get too high – it is wise to reduce it to a comfortable level for health and properties protection. Below are what you can do to extract the excessive moisture:

• Dehumidify: It is not new, a dehumidifier is a device that reduces amount of moisture in the air. It comes in different sizes and areas of applications such as those deigned for basement and crawl spaces.
• Installing air conditioner: This is another appliance that keeps humidity balance by drying out the atmosphere while replacing it with cool air. You can use AC unit all through the year to maintain indoor humidity – there are wall mountable and central systems, whatever choice you like depends on demand.

Dirty Humidifier Health Risks

Molds and bacteria live in dirty filters and unclean tanks. Even though, unclean humidifiers possess greater risks to asthma and allergies sufferer but also in healthy people can cause lungs ailment or flu symptoms when contaminated mists released by the humidifier is inhaled. It is however good to keep your humidifier clean at all time. These are few things to achieve a healthy humidifier mists:

• Use demineralized or distilled water

For cool mist humidifiers, tap water adversely creates minerals deposit that encourages bacteria growth. These minerals can also been seen in form of white dust on home surfaces, furniture’s chairs etc. more so, there is possibilities of inhaling this minerals when they are disperse into the air.

To avoid such experience and white dust spreading all over your house, distilled water is devoid of minerals and that’s why it’s recommended. In addition, demineralized cartridge is also good as well.

• Replace water frequently

Do not allow stagnant water to remain in the reservoir – if this happen, may leads to minerals formation and other allergens. Before every use, empty the tank, allow it to dry properly and refill with fresh water. When not in use, also dry out and store away from moisture environment.

• Caution: Unplug the device from electric source before embarking on the above process.

• Schedule Cleaning

The best practice is to clean your humidifier at least twice in a week. To do this, get a warm water solution and vinegar. You may also use hydrogen peroxide.

Clean or Change filters

• Dirty filters should be clean and also bad ones should be replace with new ones – you can follow the manufacturer advised for filter replacement.

Conclusion

Finally, we have come to the end of the review of the best humidifier for allergies and I believe it has been an explore-able moment having to see the list and knowing what each unit entails. However, it is now left for you to choose and invest wisely on a unit that seems to meet your requirement. Great having you read through my post. You can share my works on your social wall to encourage my work. Thanks once again.