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Humidifiers and Vaporizers
Humidifiers and vaporizers are equally effective in increasing
air humidity.
Nicky Corkum, BScPhm,
Drug Information Pharmacist, Drug Information and Research Centre,
Toronto
Why is the humidity in my home important?
In the winter the air is colder and dryer than in the summer.
Decreased humidity can cause dry and itchy skin, ear aches,
sore throats, stuffy noses, or may worsen allergies. Adding
more moisture to the air with a vaporizer or humidifier can
limit these problems. If you have a cold, a sore throat or
a cough, having a humidifier or vaporizer in the room may make
you feel more comfortable. Humidifiers and vaporizers, however,
cannot cure a cold or the flu. Excessive humidity may also
cause health problems. Too much water in the air can promote
the growth of fungi, bacteria and molds in the home. It is
a good idea to buy a humidity monitor (hygrometer) along with
a humidifier or vaporizer to make sure the humidity is not
higher than 30-50%.
What is the difference between humidifiers and vaporizers?
Humidifiers and vaporizers are equally effective in increasing
humidity. Humidifiers produce a cool mist and vaporizers produce
steam by boiling water. Choosing between the two devices is
often based on cleaning requirements and operating procedures.
Volatile oils such as camphor, menthol, methyl salicylate and
peppermint can be dispersed with vaporizers. Although not proven,
these scented oils are thought to decrease cough and stuffy
nose. These oils cannot be used with humidifiers. Although
cleaning is important with both devices, it may be more important
for humidifiers. If a humidifier is not cleaned regularly,
bacteria and mold can grow inside the device and may be released
in the mist. This may worsen allergies and cause coughing,
difficulty breathing, headache, problems sleeping and eye irritation.
Since vaporizers heat the water, there is a risk of burns.
They should be used cautiously if there are children in the
household.
Tips for using humidifiers and vaporizers:
1. Use a device that is approved by the Canadian Standards Association
(CSA)
2. Place the humidifier in a central area of the house, not in
a bedroom
3. Place the unit on the floor, not on furniture (as it may damage
furniture)
4. Direct the steam/mist to an open area of the room, preferably
at least 1 meter away from people
5. It is best to use deionized, demineralized or distilled water
in a humidifier and tap water in a vaporizer
6. Change the water in the humidifier tank daily and do not allow
scales to form
7. Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning/disinfecting recommendations.
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The information in this newsletter was prepared and reviewed
by pharmacists for the Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal.
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Ask Your Pharmacist newsletter is produced through
an unconditional educational grant from APOTEX/PACE. |
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