Got allergies? You may (or may not) find it comforting that 50 million Americans also suffer from the aggravating symptoms of hay fever.
Did you know that using a humidifier or vaporizer for allergies can dramatically improve symptoms? Maybe your friend casually mentioned regular vaporizer use for allergy symptoms over coffee or you heard an ad spot for humidifiers on your favorite podcast. However you encountered this particular article, you might have a few questions like: what is a vaporizer? What is the difference between a vaporizer and a humidifier? How does a vaporizer help with allergies?
We will answer all of these questions and more in this article. But first, what is a vaporizer?
What is a Vaporizer?
A vaporizer is a type of humidifier. A humidifier, in general terms, adds moisture to the air to increase relative humidity or RH. There are two types of humidifiers: cool mist humidifiers and warm mist humidifiers or vaporizers.
A vaporizer works by boiling water from the water tank to create vapor or steam, which is subsequently fanned into the room. While a vaporizer can slightly elevate the temperature of a room, the steam released from the vaporizer cools before reaching surrounding surfaces.
A cool mist humidifier, on the other hand, releases cool mist into the surrounding space through evaporation or ultrasonic technology. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against the use of vaporizers around babies, small children, or rambunctious pets. While the vapor itself is not hot when it settles in the room, a brisk knock of a vaporizer or a gentle pull of the vaporizer cord can cause the boiling water to spill on your sweet baby or loyal furry companion.
What are the Benefits of Vaporizers?
While increasing the moisture level in your home sounds great, what are the tangible benefits of vaporizers?
Compared to most cool mist humidifiers*, vaporizers tend to be more hygienic. Stagnant water accumulates bacteria and contaminants that can be harmful when ingested or inhaled. Since vaporizers boil the water from the water tank, any lingering contaminants are destroyed before releasing moisture into the room.
More generally, vaporizers provide all of the wonderful benefits associated with humidifiers. Humidity levels between 40% and 60% are considered “optimal” for maximum health benefits and comfortable living conditions. A humidifier is a household tool that is used to achieve optimal humidity levels in your home on a consistent basis. Thus, regular humidifier use in your home or living space contributes countless benefits to your health, the health of your family, and, interestingly, the foundation of your home.
The benefits of regular humidifier use include:
- Improve the signs of skin aging including fine lines, wrinkles, and Crow’s Feet
- Rehydrate dehydrated skin that is often red, itchy, flaky, or painful
- Reduce dandruff and improve scalp hydration
- Improve the overall appearance and health of hair
- Reduce or eliminate common cold and flu symptoms including congestion, runny nose, scratchy throat, and more
- Reduce the survival rate of airborne pathogens and improve the quality of home air
- Improve snoring and reducing morning congestion for a better quality sleep
- Improve nasal congestion in babies and small children
- Improve dry skin condition in babies including eczema and psoriasis
- Prolong the lifespan of houseplants and improve their overall appearance
- Improve the health of wood foundation and wood furniture in the home
*Canopy Humidifier is the only anti-mold, no mist humidifier on the market. Developed with proprietary SPA™️ technology, Canopy Humidifier actually prevents mold and bacteria from developing in the water tank. Embedded UV lights kill 99.9% of contaminants from the water tank while the disposable paper filter captures any lingering impurities. The result is healthy, safe moisture in your home space.
Do Vaporizers Help with Allergies?
Now, for the grand finale: can you really use a vaporizer for allergies? Furthermore, will a vaporizer help with allergy symptoms?
Yes! Humidifiers, and more specifically vaporizers, can improve allergy and asthma symptoms including: dry throat, cough, nasal congestion, runny nose, dry or itchy skin, and more.
Dry air will zap moisture from the airways leading to inflammation and, ultimately, irritation. Sufficiently hydrated air by way of a humidifier will lubricate the nasal passage and throat and reduce inflammation for easy breathing. Additionally, if you suffer from dry or irritated eyes, dry skin, or a scratchy throat, introducing a vaporizer or humidifier into your space will help to dramatically improve these conditions.
It is important to note that when using a vaporizer for allergies, regular maintenance is particularly important. While vaporizers are more hygienic than most cool mist humidifiers, regularly cleaning your device and avoiding stagnant water in the water tank will prevent bacteria and contaminants from infiltrating your home air and triggering further allergy symptoms.
Monitoring humidity levels with a hygrometer is a great way to avoid excessive humidity in your home, which can also trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. When home humidity levels exceed 60%, the excess moisture provides a cozy breeding ground for mold, bacteria, and other allergens.