Humidity is the level of water vapors present in the air, and humidifiers are devices that work to increase it. During the cold months, a number of diseases may become dominant owing to the cold, dry air. Even in weather where there is moisture outside, the heating systems in your office or home tend to dry out the interior air, leading to numerous issues for many.

There are primarily two types of humidifiers: warm and cool mist. A cool mist humidifier adds moisture to the air but lowers the temperature a few degrees for added comfort. On the other hand, warm mist humidifiers make use of an internal heating component that boils water prior to releasing it into your room as a calming invisible mist. All in all, both cool and warm humidifiers are designed to retain a healthy humidity level in moisture-deprived areas and help you avoid the unwanted side effects of cold dry air, which include cracked lips, irritated sinus passages, bloody noses, sore throats, an itchy skin, and different respiratory ailments.

Why Use a Humidifier during the Winter?

Humidifiers can be an excellent solution for more than one winter-related problems. Listed below are 4 benefits that come along with using a humidifier during the cold winter months.

Reduces Risk of Infections

Bacteria and viruses cannot travel as well in moist air. A study published in 2013, for instance, concluded that increasing your property’s humidity levels up to 43% or higher substantially minimized the capability of airborne viruses to cause flu-related infections. In fact, an environment low in humidity has 70% – 77% potential of causing virus-induced diseases, but when humidity levels were increased to 43% or more, that number dropped significantly to merely 14%.

Moisturizes Dry Skin

Cold, dry air sucks out the moisture from your skin, causing all kinds of problems, such as dullness, dryness, flaking, and premature aging. Humidifiers can help treat those problems during the winter months. The indoor levels of humidity of furnace-heated air can decline to 10% or less. However, humidifiers add back the valuable moisture to the skin and to air, thus helping prevent all these harmful effects, and also maintaining that healthy, vibrant look for all your holiday get-togethers and parties.

Eases Asthma

Both children and adults with asthma normally find humidifiers to be helpful in breathing, particularly when the condition is combined with a respiratory infection. If you have asthma and wish to use a humidifier, make sure to check with your doctor first.

Prevents Snoring

For the mouth-breathers, it is practically impossible to prevent dryness from settling in, especially when sleeping. Using a humidifier to moisturize the air can help create a more favorable scenario that may assist in a more comfortable sleep, and also cut down on your snoring. Running the humidifier running throughout the day may also help keep your throat moist, thus prevention any irritation associated with snoring.

The harsh winter months can take a toll on your overall health, but with a humidifier you will be good to go.