Should you use humidifier or dehumidifier for stuffy nose and how? A stuffy nose can occur for a variety of reasons. However, regardless of them, a person will experience severe discomfort. There are ways to help deal with the problem. It is enough to normalize the humidity level. More about humidifier or dehumidifier for stuffy nose will be discussed in this article.
What is a stuffy nose?
Before proceeding to study the issue, humidifier or dehumidifier for stuffy nose, you should familiarize yourself with the problem itself. A stuffy nose occurs when the lining of the nose begins to swell. This causes breathing difficulties.
This is due to inflammation of the blood vessels.
Inflammations can be mild or complex. They can be caused by various factors. A sign that the nose is stuffed up is difficulty breathing through the nose. Often mucus begins to drain.
Causes of a stuffy nose
You need to understand that the causes of nasal passage congestion can be many. Often this is faced by people who are ill with a cold, flu, sore throat, or sinus infection.
Often people get stuffy noses due to irritation from the smoke that comes out of a car or cigarettes. Also, the problem may be hiding in the presence of dust or pollen around. The allergy-related stuffy nose only occurs when there are irritants in the air.
If you use drops or nasal sprays that your doctor did not prescribe, you may also experience nasal congestion. It is not uncommon for a problem to occur during pregnancy, vasomotor rhinitis, or a nasal polyp.
Often, the symptoms go away on their own. This takes about a week.
Humidifiers help with a stuffy nose
As you know, a humidifier is designed to increase the humidity level of the indoor air. It helps to cope with dry air. By creating moist air, the nasal passage congestion begins to gradually disappear.
Due to the dryness of the air, you can face not only a stuffy nose. It often causes headaches and a runny nose. That is why people who often suffer from stuffy noses use humidifiers.
Such a device is quite effective and helps to get rid of unpleasant symptoms in just a few days. However, you will need to run the device frequently, especially if dry air prevails in your area. You can notice the effect of the humidifier after all the congestion has been eliminated due to humidity.
It is extremely important for the human nose to constantly face heat and humidity level. This will make breathing much easier. A humidifier will hydrate dry areas, making allergic reactions and sinus congestion less of an issue.
Which humidifier options are best – with cool or warm mist?
If you are experiencing a cold or stuffy nose, you should choose an effective humidifier. In such cases, any device that meets your needs in terms of performance and price will be appropriate. You can check product reviews in advance to find the best quality option.
If you can’t decide on the type of humidifier, then there are only two of them: cool mist humidifier and warm mist humidifiers. It is impossible to say for sure which options will be much better. After all, they all perform the same function.
Some people prefer devices that emit a cool mist.
This is because a warm mist device can cause burns. Especially in children and people with sensitive mucous membranes. However, this is not a reason to abandon a warm mist humidifier. The main thing is to use it carefully.
To do this, follow the advice that is prescribed in the instructions from the manufacturer. Do not leave the device unattended.
If done correctly, you can get rid of nasal congestion. Especially if you add essential oils or medicines to the water that will increase the effectiveness of the device.
I also recommend reading: Does a cool mist humidifier make the room cold
Can a humidifier make the problem worse?
Often, using a humidifier only exacerbates the problem of nasal congestion. Everything is explained quite simply.
The humidifier uses water during operation. It is who creates the fog, which is then distributed around the room.
If you use dirty water, it will provoke additional irritations.
This may cause allergies, which will only worsen nasal congestion. Therefore, it is important to follow a few basic rules. Firstly, make sure that the humidity level in the room is 30-50%. If the indicators are less, then the moist air will become dry.
If the indicators show excess moisture, then ideal conditions will be created in the room for the development of mold and bacteria. Secondly, you should regularly clean the tank and filter.
Because of the water, minerals can form, which will cause bacteria to develop. The same goes for filters. Therefore, they must be changed at the time specified in the instructions.
You may also be interested: Humidifier tips: What kind of water to use in humidifier
The benefits of a dehumidifier for a stuffy nose. Humidifier or dehumidifier for stuffy nose
Even though a dehumidifier and a humidifier have different functions, both devices are useful when you need to deal with a stuffy nose.
The differences are only in the principle of operation.If a humidifier increases the humidity of the air, a dehumidifier, on the contrary, reduces it.
Dry indoor air quality can cause an allergic reaction, runny nose, or nasal passages congestion. This can also occur if the humidity in the room is too high. Because of this, fungi, dust mites, and other allergens begin to appear in the air. That is why it is important to monitor the level of humidity.
To achieve the optimal balance of humidity in the room, you should alternate the operation of the dehumidifier and humidifier. Remember that the humidity in the room should be about 30-50%. This will get rid of problems with the nose.
I also recommend reading Salt in humidifier: when can I put it and how?
Dehumidifier cons
The main disadvantage of the device is that due to its improper use, the air will become too dry. Such devices are noisy like some air conditioner with dry fans.
The only exceptions are portable models.
Dehumidifiers use a lot of energy, so you will have to pay more in utility bills. Therefore, it makes sense to choose appliances that are labeled Energy Star. They are more economical.
I also recommend reading: How you can get cool air from one room to another?
FAQ: Humidifier or dehumidifier for stuffy nose
In the case of nasal congestion, there are many questions when using a dehumidifier and humidifier.
Does a dehumidifier or humidifier help with a stuffy nose?
If you use a humidifier and increase the humidity levels, this will positively affect the health of the sinuses.
Do I need a humidifier or dehumidifier for the sinuses?
As already mentioned, both devices help to cope with this disease. However, they must be used correctly.
Can a humidifier make congestion worse?
When you inhale moist air through a congested nose you feel better. Because humid air will reduce irritation, the likelihood of inflammation of the nasal passage will decrease. If the humidifier is not properly cared for, it can only exacerbate the problem.
Does a dehumidifier make the room less stuffy?
If the air in the room is dry, you will be much more comfortable. Due to the high humidity, the room becomes stuffy. Therefore, the dehumidifier helps to create a more favorable living environment and you can get rid of a congested nose.
Will a dehumidifier help a stuffy room?
If the room becomes stuffy for you, it makes sense to use a dehumidifier. This will also prevent mold on surfaces.
What gets rid of a stuffy nose fast?
You can breathe steam, or use a salt spray. You can also do warm compresses, or smear your nose with eucalyptus oil. If the cause is allergies, use antihistamines. You can also run a humidifier.
When should you not use a dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers must operate at temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If this is not possible, it is better to refuse it.
Does dry air worsen congestion?
Dry air provokes a stuffy nose because it makes the mucus dry.
Results: Humidifier or dehumidifier for stuffy nose
Should you use humidifier or dehumidifier for stuffy nose and how? As you can see, both devices help to cope with a stuffy nose. For best results, alternate their use. It is important to ensure that the devices are properly maintained so that they work for a long time and efficiently.
