Does an air humidifier help with allergies: recommendations for allergy sufferers and asthmatics

Unfortunately, there is an increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases throughout the world. Already more than a third of the world's population are exposed to this insidious disease. Various factors influence the occurrence of allergies, the most important of which is environmental pollution.

Let's look at how progress comes to the aid of a person in solving this problem. We will analyze what household appliances are needed in an allergic apartment. We examine whether the humidifier helps with allergies and what is the real effect when using this device.

In our article, you will find a detailed description of all types of devices designed to saturate the atmosphere in a limited room with moisture. We will talk about how to create an ideal atmosphere for allergy sufferers. We’ll show you how to choose the right device.

Allergy Humidity

In a polluted human environment, conditions are created for an increase in the number of aeroallergens and an increase in tissue hyperreactivity of the respiratory tract. In addition, the number of air allergens increases, which cause the development of allergic respiratory forms.

With climate change, there is an increased formation and increase in the concentration of pollen in the air and its properties change. All this contributes to an increase in the sensitizing activity of aeroallergens.

To combat the army of allergens will help moisturize the air. A tangible increase in allergic exacerbations has become especially noticeable in recent decades. Atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis - alas, these names of diseases sound more often

Other harmful agents, including dust mites, fungal spores, and numerous microorganisms, are part of the dust that settles in the house along with chemical pollutants. All this biological collection often leads to the chronicity of these diseases.

Even without going into the complex mechanisms of the development of such pathologies and a thorough analysis of predisposing factors, it is necessary to pay attention to the importance of regular wet cleaning of living rooms.

Normalization climatic parameters to create a comfortable environment for a person, and this is a healthy and clean air - a necessary condition for an active person.

Only regular wet cleaning will help to cope with the dust in which dust mites, spores of fungi, numerous microorganisms live.

The association of household allergies with sensitivity to house dust was established back in the 60s. Since then, regular studies have been conducted showing that bronchial asthma can be preceded by symptoms of allergic rhinitis. 70% of people with allergies to dust within 8 years develop bronchial asthma.

Based on these studies, it was concluded that there is a direct correlation of some types of allergies from the indoor microclimate and air pollution. The development of technology allows simple ways to reduce the "pathogenic" load on the body.

In dry air, allergens spread more actively. In addition, with a long stay in a room with dry air, immunity is weakened. Any allergies? Buy a humidifier

What can fly in a dry air environment:

• dust with microorganisms and spores of fungi;
• pollen in spring and summer, flying out of windows;
• pet hair and particles of the epidermis.

In dry air there is an excess of positively charged ions, due to which dust particles may not settle for hours, which creates unfavorable conditions for allergy sufferers and for patients with various pulmonary diseases.

If the room is humidifier with ionizer, then all this mass becomes heavier due to the moisture with which it is impregnated and falls down or attracted to positively charged surfaces.

Then, moistened dust and dirt are removed during the daily wet cleaning process (recommended for allergy sufferers). Thus, for allergy sufferers, air humidifiers create a clean and moisturized air environment.

To ensure a healthy microclimate in the apartment, buy the right humidifier. For the arrangement of the nursery, it is better to purchase a safe and almost silent device

If for healthy people the recommended humidity in the living room should be 50-60%, then for allergy sufferers - 40-50%. Otherwise, they will be worried about various problems - rhinitis, various inflammatory processes. Especially patients with respiratory allergies.

Air Condition and Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is the most common manifestation of allergies. Periodic respiratory failure, mucus discharge from the nose, sneezing are all symptoms of an allergic reaction. They are combined by the common name of the reaction - allergic rhinitis.

At the heart of any allergic reaction is inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which allergens cause. Edema and nasal congestion, sneezing attacks, itching are the first symptoms of an exacerbation of an allergy.

Allergic rhinitis can be persistent and seasonal. If the air is too dry in the room, the condition of the allergic person worsens, since under such conditions the mucous membrane becomes more sensitive to irritants.

With frequent allergic rhinitis, the purchase of a humidifier is necessary. Some bacteria and viruses also feel great in high humidity. Dry air, on the other hand, activates other pathogens

Allergies can occur both against the background of dry air, and excessively humid. Good humidity balanced air (40-60%) does not allow dust to rise into the air mass from objects, preventing its penetration into the respiratory system.

Excessive humidity leads to the activation of mold spores that are constantly in the air.Water in large quantities acts as a catalyst for their development. Also, increased humidity contributes to the active reproduction of dust mites.

Types of Household Humidifiers

If you go into the room where the humidifier worked for several hours, it will be unusually easy to breathe. Moreover, in such conditions, fast falling asleep and sound sleep are guaranteed. To achieve this result, you need to choose the right technique.

Let's look at the types of modern humidifiers:

• mechanical traditional;
• steam;
• ultrasound
• combined with an air purifier.

Traditional mechanical humidifiers are designs in which water is poured into the tank, from where it enters the drip tray on moisturizing replaceable cartridges. The fan drives the air through the cartridges and moistens it naturally.

At the same time, the air is cleaned of dust. The disadvantage of such humidifiers is the inability to increase humidity above the natural level of 60% and the noise during operation is about 35-40 dB, so this device cannot be turned on at night.

To maintain a natural level of humidity it is better to choose a traditional humidifier. However, if an increase in humidity above 60% is required, this option will not work.

In steam humidifiers, the water boils and leaves as steam. The disadvantages of this method are obvious: hot steam up to 60 degrees, high noise, high power consumption.

However, the advantages of such moisturizing systems are also sufficient: they can increase the humidity in the room by more than 60%. These devices can work with hard water. They do not need consumables, they can be used for inhalation.

The steam humidifier must be placed on a cabinet or top shelf so that you do not accidentally burn yourself. Devices with a steam type of action can be used as inhalers

In construction ultrasonic humidifiers There is a special membrane, which, thanks to the high frequency of vibrations, converts water into cold vapor. These are modern systems that allow you to adjust the humidity level. Some models have the option of heating water.

If you have children at home, the best choice is an absolutely safe ultrasonic humidifier. They work almost silently. The main disadvantage of such systems is the need to use purified water filters and the need to replace the filler cartridge

More complex combined instruments are an air purifier and a humidifier in one system. New models are called climate complexes. The design of the most common devices is a system of plastic discs of hydrodynamic shape, rotating in a tank of water.

The dust entering the device settles on the discs and is then washed off with water. In climatic complexes, a mechanical humidifier is usually implemented, but recently systems with ultrasonic devices have also appeared on sale.

If the budget allows, the climate complex will be the best option for cleaning and humidifying the air. In addition to saturating the air with moisture, it also removes harmful impurities and microorganisms from it

The climate complex is a more complex device that requires maintenance. It will have to change a fairly large number of consumables. In particular, many systems are equipped with HEPA filters with a high degree of purification, as well as carbon and humidification filters.

Useful ion saturation option

Most modern models of humidifiers are equipped with an ionization function, that is, they allow to saturate the air with ozone. This function is controversial. The argumentation of ionization humidifier manufacturers is that there are many negative ions in pure natural air (in the mountains, in forests, near waterfalls).

However, for allergy sufferers this option will be a useful addition to the humidifier.Dust, plant pollen, allergens, bacteria, in a word, solid particles of air under the influence of ionization are charged and begin to drift to the positive electrode, which in the apartment are the walls, floor and ceiling, where they settle.

If possible, select a humidifier with an ionization function. After wetting, all settled dirt is then mechanically removed from all surrounding structures during the wet cleaning process.

However, one must be careful with ionization - it can be activated per day for no more than a couple of hours. Around the clock to ionize the air indoors is not worth it. An increased concentration of ozone in the air is harmful to the human body.

If the air is excessively saturated with ozone, when inhaled, a person can develop various unpleasant consequences - coughing, tickling and irritation in the throat, redness of the face, difficulty breathing. In patients with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, the condition may worsen. The ionization function must be deactivated in the device.

How to alleviate the condition for allergies?

Of course, having consulted a doctor, an allergy sufferer and an asthmatic receive a list of drugs that alleviate the condition during seizures. In addition, it is advisable to find out as soon as possible on which allergen a painful reaction occurs. The doctor also gives a number of recommendations on the organization of life in order to increase the periods of remission as much as possible.

This is a regular wet cleaning, reducing the number of dust collectors, etc. However, if the allergen stays at home and there are problems with humidity in the room, the likelihood of relapse remains at a high level.

If the budget allows, buying an air cleaner will be the optimal solution to the problems of creating a healthy microclimate for allergy sufferers

Therefore, allergists recommend the use of modern household appliances to improve the indoor climate:

• installation of a humidifier with an ionization function capable of maintaining the recommended humidity level;
• installation of an air purifier capable of effectively purifying the air of many pathogens of allergic reactions.

An ideal option would be to buy the so-called air sink - an air purifier, a humidifier or a climate complex. Such devices can be placed both in residential premises, including nurseries and bedrooms, and in office.

How to choose a humidifier?

When choosing a model of a humidifier for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, you should pay attention to the following technical specifications:

1. Tank capacity and evaporation rate: how long the device works without refueling depends on these parameters. For example, if a humidifier consumes 400 ml per hour and is equipped with a capacity of 3 l, it will work for no more than 8 hours without adding water.
2. The volume of the serviced premises: the instructions for the device indicate what area the room is designed for. However, here you need to make an adjustment for the height of the ceilings, since the device is designed for the volume of the room. If the ceiling height is much higher than average, you need to buy a device designed for a large area.
3. Noise level is a key criterion if the humidifier will be used at night. It is necessary to pay attention not only to the noise level during the operation of mechanisms, but also to gurgling and the operation of warning signals (especially if they are repeated).
4. The built-in hygrometer is a controversial option, as it measures humidity only next to the humidifier itself. It will be much more useful to purchase a separate moisture meter and install it near the berth.
5. The choice of control type - mechanical, from the remote control, from a smartphone, depends only on the planned purchase budget.
6. Ergonomics - how convenient it is to fill the tank with water, the ability to adjust the steam direction: all this will facilitate the use of the device.
7. Consumables: how many replaceable filters are installed, how often they need to be replaced.
8. Water requirements: if some devices can be filled with tap water, then for complex models even distilled water may be required.
9. Air ionization - for allergy sufferers this is a necessary option.

The choice of the very design of the device for allergy sufferers is only a matter of budget.

Excessive humidity for this category of users is as harmful as dryness. Therefore, any device that guarantees an increase in humidity up to 50% will be useful for them.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video recommendations for choosing the perfect humidifier for you personally:

Buying a moisturizer for allergy sufferers is a must. It will have an undoubted healing effect on the condition of people suffering from respiratory diseases. In addition, the device will significantly improve the microclimate in the room, which will not be superfluous for other households.

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