The correct air humidity in the room where the child lives allows not only to provide him with protection from viruses and allergies, but also to recover faster if the ailment does happen. The respected pediatrician and author of many books and articles on children's health Yevgeny Komarovsky have repeatedly told his parents about this.

Many moms and dads, listening to the doctor's advice, try to humidify the air in the children's room with the help of basins of water, an aquarium, steam, wet towels hung over the radiators. Sooner or later, the understanding comes that it is easier and more profitable to purchase a special device - an air humidifier. Evgeny Komarovsky tells how to choose it and how to use it correctly.

Benefit and harm

The mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx have important protective functions. They produce mucus that can bind viruses and slow down their spread.

If the mucus dries up due to the fact that the child breathes dry air or breathes through the mouth during a runny nose, then the biological fluid, which has changed its consistency, becomes dangerous for the baby. In the dried nasal mucus, pathogenic bacteria begin to feel great.

Many parents have noticed that flowing snot turns thick and green one day. This is a consequence of the wrong air humidity.

A child who constantly breathes dry air is more likely to suffer from acute respiratory viral infections.

During illness, they have a significantly higher risk of complications. The fact is that if, when coughing in the bronchi, which also actively produce a protective secret against viruses, bronchial mucus begins to dry out, then this, with great probability, will lead to bronchitis. If dried mucus begins to interfere with pulmonary metabolism, pneumonia will begin.

Humid air during a period of illness with influenza or ARVI is generally one of the main "medicines": viral infections recede faster, and the immune system learns to recognize viruses and resist them when the patient breathes humid air, drinks a lot of fluids. At the same time, you usually do not need to buy any other drugs from the pharmacy.

Children who breathe insufficiently humidified air are more likely to suffer from various allergic reactions. They are harder to tolerate the high temperature that accompanies various diseases, they get sick longer, their immunity is much weaker than their peers who breathe air with relative humidity ranging from 50 to 70%. It is this level of humidity that Komarovsky recommends to maintain for a children's room.

To find out how much the air in the room is saturated with moisture, you should take a device - a hygrometer. If the indicator does not "hold out" to 50%, then you should think about purchasing a humidifier. It will help, without unnecessary fuss, running around with basins, cans of water and wet towels, create the right microclimate in which the child will grow up healthy.

The harm from the humidifier will be only if the parents grossly violate the rules of its operation. If there is humidity in the child's room exceeding 75-80%, then this will negatively affect his well-being and health.

Types of humidifiers - pros and cons

There are three types of humidifiers on sale today:

1. steam;
2. ultrasonic;
3. "Cold".

Steam humidifiers are similar in principle to kettles: in order for the water to begin to evaporate, in the device it is heated to boiling with two electrodes. This is the cheapest and most affordable option for home appliances.

When choosing a steam humidifier, make sure that it is equipped with a special humidity sensor that instructs the device to turn off immediately after the required set humidity is reached in the room. If there is no such thing in the humidifier, then you will have to buy it separately, which is not very convenient and costly.

Among the disadvantages of a steam appliance, one can point out a high level of energy consumption. But otherwise, this type of humidifier is very suitable for children's rooms - it is the most productive, it creates the desired microclimate faster, there is no need to buy consumables for it. The product works simply: water is poured and the container is plugged into an outlet.

It should be remembered that humidification occurs with hot steam, and therefore it is necessary to place the humidifier so that the child under no circumstances can reach it.

Ultrasonic humidifiers are more expensive than steam humidifiers, but they have more advantages. So, with lower power consumption, these devices show a fairly high performance.

The principle of operation of such a device is more complex: ultrasonic radiation is applied to a piezoelectric crystal, electrical vibrations become mechanical. The advantage of this technique is in its small dimensions, the mobility of the atomizer, with the help of which the steam can be directed from either side.

With all the advantages, ultrasonic humidifiers are quite capricious: if too hard water is often poured into them, the filter quickly fails. This can cause a white residue to form on furniture and wallpaper. Plus, replacement instrument filters aren't cheap.

Cold humidifiers are the most expensive. They received this name for the principle of operation, according to which the dry air that is in the room at the moment, going inside the device, is purified. Inside there is a wet cartridge, passing through which, the air cools down and is saturated with moisture.

The performance of such a technique directly depends on the initial moisture content. The higher it is, the slower the device will work, because there is no point in intensive humidification. Therefore, such a “smart” humidifier will always maintain the optimum humidity level by itself, without the intervention of household members.

Such a device is very demanding on the quality of water, which will wet the filter. Too hard water will damage the filter. Therefore, it is better to use distilled water or buy special cartridges for extra money that "know" how to soften hard water and demineralize it.

This humidifier does not release steam jets, like the previous two types, and therefore will not interest the child. Another advantage is that the humidifier not only saturates the air with water, but also purifies it, since it works with smaller particles.

Cold humidifiers consume the same amount of electricity as ultrasonic ones. However, their performance is lower than that of ultrasonic ones, but they are on self-regulation.

The disadvantage of the device is that it is not able to raise the relative humidity above 60%. In addition, the service life of the filter is no more than 3 months, so consumables will have to be purchased and replaced at least 4 times a year.

Where to start choosing

You should start choosing a device for a nursery by measuring the room.

You must come to the store with a piece of paper, which will indicate:

• room area;
• ceiling height;
• a short description of the type of room (how many windows, what the walls are made of, how many upholstered furniture and plants are in the room).

It is also advisable to tell the seller how often you can change the water in the appliance. If you are sitting at home, then the tank may be small, but if the parents are at work all day and the child is in the kindergarten, then it is better to take a device with a large capacity in order to refill water less often.

Evgeny Komarovsky argues that the most difficult thing when choosing in a store is to evaluate the noise effects that a humidifier emits. In the space of a large shopping center, not a single type of device seems to make noise. But it will be used in the bedroom, including work at night. It is important that the device runs as quietly as possible.

If you have to choose a humidifier for the first time, you should not immediately take an expensive and technologically complex model, says Komarovsky. Newbies do not need a copy with a control panel, an "on-board computer", a lot of additional functions. To begin with, you just need to understand how the device is used and why this particular family needs it.

When a cough appears, a person is tormented by unpleasant symptoms. This process is especially difficult for children: they become capricious, lose their appetite, and do not sleep well. Many doctors claim that they appear due to the very dry air in the room and recommend humidifying it.

Occasionally, however, high humidity causes seizures to worsen. This article will discuss whether a humidifier can cause a cough and why?

In winter, many are faced with the fact that the air in their apartments or houses is too dry. Because of this, irritation begins in the nasopharynx, a cough may appear in combination with colds or infectious diseases.

It is very important to ensure that the air is not too dry., since in this case the cough will be dry for a long time, the sputum will not be able to leave and the person will receive complications in the form of or.

To do this, it is necessary to ventilate the room, do wet cleaning. Today, special devices that humidify dry air are very popular.

Pediatricians believe that a humidifier has only positive effects when a child coughs. However, this is not always the case, such devices have their disadvantages:

• when using ultrasonic air humidification, a person develops a strong cough, body temperature rises, and severe complications develop;
• very often white traces of plaque can be seen on furniture;
• water must be changed every day;
• if the device is not in use, it must be completely dry inside;
• be sure to treat with special antimicrobial agents.

Very often, a person is faced with the fact that he suddenly developed a cough from a moisturizer, and his body temperature rises. These problems appear spontaneously, just as they disappear after you stop using the device. What could be the reason for this, and what measures should be taken?

Opinion and advice of Dr. Komarovsky about coughing from a humidifier in children

As stated above, pediatricians advise the use of moisturizers when treating coughs in young children.

They have undeniable positive aspects, help and contribute to the quick recovery of the baby. What does Doctor Komarovsky think about this?

Evgeny Olegovich claims that with ARVI in a child air humidity should be at least 50-70%, otherwise the risk of complications increases.

To maintain this indicator in the norm, he recommends using a special ultrasonic humidifier. Today there are many brands and manufacturers of these devices and everyone can find the right one for him.

In this case, it is very important to follow all points of the instructions for the devices: regularly change replaceable cartridges, water, wash the device. This will help reduce the risk of pathogens developing inside the humidifier.

In principle, when used correctly, an ultrasonic humidifier does not cause any complications. The appearance or intensification of coughing fits is possible only with improper use of the device. In this case, it is recommended to give water from it to the sanitary-epidemiological laboratory for bacteriological analysis.

If pathogenic microflora is detected, it is necessary to disinfect the humidifier and the room in which it is used. Therefore, the question of why coughing from a humidifier can be given an unambiguous answer: due to improper operation of the device.

If you do not need to save money, it is better to give preference to good manufacturers. This fact is especially important when treating small patients, since the risk of complications in this case is very high.

In addition to humidifiers, you can increase the level of humidity in the room with the help of regular ventilation, wet cleaning.

You can also hang a damp towel over the batteries, which will humidify the air in the room as it dries. The easiest way is to spray with water from a conventional spray bottle. This can be done with your child in the form of a game.

Conclusion

The humidity level in the room is very important in the treatment of colds and infectious diseases. To control this indicator, it is recommended to hang a special hygrometer in the room. Experts recommend using special ultrasonic humidifiers, which help to achieve the required level of 50-70%.

In this case, it is imperative to fulfill all the requirements for their operation, regularly change the water and treat it with disinfectant solutions. Only in this case, these devices bring positive results and reduce the risk of complications.

Human health and well-being largely depends on the microclimate that is created in living quarters. Humidity in a room (together with the temperature and hygienic state of the room) is an important indicator of a healthy microclimate.

For living quarters in which adults are located, the following air humidity is considered optimal:

• the minimum level is 40%;
• the maximum level is 70%.

In rooms with children, the standard indicator increases:

• for a newborn - 50%;
• for a healthy preschooler and younger schoolchild - 60%.

Air humidifier and its effects on human health

Household humidifiers help maintain the humidity levels required by humans. They relieve a person of the negative effects of dry air on the condition of the skin and hair, and help to regulate heat transfer. The popularity of these devices is growing, but some buyers are worried about whether their use will lead to a cold or other illness.

Can a humidifier cause colds?

To figure out whether the air released by the device will become the cause of hypothermia (and later on a cold), it is necessary to clarify which air stream comes out of the device.

This indicator depends on its type and principle of action:

• the traditional version is a stream of room temperature;
• steam option - warm jet;
• ultrasonic version - room temperature jet.

Important! Household humidifiers of any kind do not produce a chilled air stream.

Given this feature of the devices, you can be sure of their safety. Humidifiers do not cause hypothermia or colds.

Opinion of doctors

The safety of the devices is confirmed by professional doctors. EO Komarovsky, an authoritative pediatrician for parents, argues that the main cause of frequent respiratory diseases in children is dry air, and not the use of a humidifier. Dr. Komarovsky considers low humidity "one of the global problems of civilization." The correct use of humidifiers can help overcome this problem.

Is it necessary to humidify the air in the room of a sick person

The use of humidifiers becomes especially important if there are patients with pulmonary diseases in the room. This is due to the fact that the devices support the protective capabilities of the nasal mucous membranes, prevent blood thickening, which can disrupt the normal functioning of human internal organs.

Therefore, maintaining air humidity is a real help in the fight that a weakened body wages with illness.

Important! For a preschool child with a respiratory infection, an increased air humidity is required: from 60 to 70%.

How to use a moisturizer healthily

The guarantee of the usefulness of the devices when the humidity level rises is their correct operation.

Helpful Tips for Using Humidifiers Safely

• Strict adherence to the recommendations for use, which are drawn up by the manufacturer of a particular model, will make the use of the device safe.
• Purified water should be poured into the container: distilled or boiled water, which is defended and cooled.
• When using a humidifier, it is important to follow the rules of caring for it. In order not to harm your health, it is important to regularly rinse the device, removing scale. Timely replacement of the filter or cartridge is also required.
• Excessive humidity in the room is seriously harmful to health. This can be avoided by using a hygrometer, which will provide accurate information about the microclimate.
• To maintain good health, it is important to combine normal humidity with an optimal air temperature (20 to 24 °) and regularly ventilate the room.

Proper use of household appliances will allow you to take full advantage of their benefits.

A humidifier will help create an optimal climatic environment and prevent the development of a number of unpleasant phenomena. Fragrances for air humidifiers help in the treatment of colds, promote relaxation. Let's take a closer look at which essences are most effective and when they can be used.

Why do you need a humidifier?

During the season, the air in apartments and houses becomes dry. This leads to a deterioration in the performance of the immune system, the mucous membrane of the respiratory system dries up and cannot resist the penetration of pathogens. To avoid health problems, experts recommend artificially increasing the humidity level in the room. It is for these purposes that air humidifiers are used.

The climatic device helps to quickly cope with the problem of dry air. Pediatricians recommend placing such devices in the nursery, because babies must breathe air that will not negatively affect the mucous membranes. In addition, with normal humidity, the baby sleeps much better.

Ultrasonic humidifiers are currently the most popular. They break water droplets into small particles due to high frequency vibrations. The resulting "water aerosol" is evenly distributed throughout the room. You can also find steam and traditional types of devices on sale. The air humidifier-purifier-aromatizer belongs to the category of complex climatic devices.

The use of flavors

Every person wants fresh, pleasant aromas to reign in his home. This not only helps to create a sense of coziness, but also promotes psychological relaxation. Some models of humidifiers have an additional function that allows the use of aromatic compositions. The device helps to distribute pleasant odors and bring the humidity level back to normal.

Can you add fragrances to your humidifier? Not all such devices have a special built-in compartment for essential oils. It is strictly forbidden to add various essences to ultrasonic, steam and traditional types of devices. This can lead to poor performance or premature equipment failure. Few of these types of humidifiers are designed for the use of aroma oils. Therefore, before purchasing a unit, you should clarify the availability of this function in a particular model.

Benefit

The aromatherapy function in humidifiers is sometimes very useful, because with its help you can get rid of many pathological conditions. So, some types of essences can have a positive effect on the condition of the skin, respiratory and nervous systems. Antioxidants contained in essential oils inhibit the aging process and remove harmful substances from the body.

You can also use fragrances for a humidifier when it is necessary to optimize the vitality of the body as a whole. Certain components improve brain function and stabilize the emotional state.

Despite the seemingly harmlessness of this method, there are certain contraindications to the aromatherapy.

What is the danger?

Improper use of essential oils will only harm the body. If you exceed the dosage, there is a huge risk of headache instead of a good mood. With extreme caution, such funds should be used by people prone to allergic reactions. The greatest danger in this case is represented by coniferous oils.

During the period of gestation and lactation, not all aromatic essences are allowed to be used. Inhalation of rosemary, sage, cedarwood and basil essential oil vapors can negatively affect the course of pregnancy. And during the feeding period, particles of ether penetrate into breast milk and enter the baby's blood.

What moisturizers can I use for aromatherapy?

The device with the function of "washing" the air is best suited for the application of aromatic mixtures. An air humidifier with aroma and ionizer allows you to saturate the oxygen in the room with negative and positive ions, as well as fill the room with a pleasant smell. One of the popular models is NeoClima NHL-075. The device is distinguished by its original design, large volume and relatively low cost.

The complex climatic device of the Steba LR 5 Elektronic brand offers richer functionality. The humidifier-ionizer with a fragrance function works almost silently, which makes it possible to install it even in a children's bedroom.

How the device works

The conventional ultrasonic humidifier could quickly gain the attention of consumers. Such devices are compact in size and modern in design. They manage to evaporate moisture due to ultrasonic (high-frequency) vibrations of the membrane, which is responsible for the transformation of water into an aerosol. This type of steam is called "cold". Ultrasonic humidifiers operate almost silently and quickly restore normal humidity levels in the living area.

Fragrances for humidifiers must not be added directly to the water tank if the device does not have a special compartment. This practice will, of course, have a positive effect at first. However, after a while, the parts and components of the apparatus will stop working.

In units designed for humidification and aromatherapy, there is a container or capsule near the nebulizer where the essence can be placed. When water begins to evaporate under the influence of temperature or ultrasound, aromatic oils evaporate in parallel.

Air Humidifier

How to use and how to choose a humidifier with aroma function? The possibility of saturating the air in the room with a pleasant smell using a special device is undoubtedly a positive point. Particles of essential oils, which will evaporate simultaneously with the water aerosol, will fill the air with phytoncides, which have a powerful healing effect. The pleasant scent will help boost your mood and boost your immune system.

When choosing a device for humidifying the air with an aromatization function, you should pay attention to the volume of the water tank. The size of the tank depends entirely on the area on which the humidifier will have to work. A five-liter tank is designed for a room up to 20 m². It will also be an advantage to have a hydrometer to keep track of the humidity level.

Where should the instrument be located?

The device must be installed at a height of no more than 1 meter from the floor. This will distribute the aerosol containing the essential oil particles evenly. The surface on which the humidifier will stand must be flat. It is best to place it in an impassable place, where the possibility of accidental overturning will be excluded.

Steam escaping from the device must not get directly onto furniture or houseplants. The jet is capable of leaving white marks on various surfaces. To avoid this phenomenon, it is recommended to use purified water.

What flavoring can I use?

In the humidifier, the air that you plan to use for aromatherapy sessions must have a compartment where you can pour essential oils. For this purpose, any flavors are suitable, ranging from an extract from medicinal chamomile and ending with eucalyptus essential oil.

The following aromatics can be added to the humidifier:

1. Orange oil - perfectly copes with the symptoms of anxiety and depression, improves mood and invigorates.
2. Lemon oil - sour scent is great for fighting colds and headaches.
3. Chamomile oil - has anti-inflammatory, anti-stress and relaxing effects.
4. Basil oil - a powerful antimicrobial effect that can be used to fight the flu and colds.
5. Eucalyptus oil - contains a huge amount of phytoncides that prevent the development of viral pathologies and destroy microbes.
6. Lavender oil is famous for its ability to eliminate insomnia, depression, headache.
7. Tea tree oil - has powerful antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
8. Anise oil - will help treat wet coughs.
9. Peppermint oil - soothes the nervous system and normalizes the emotional state.
10. Pine, thuja, cypress and juniper oil is recommended for the treatment of viral ailments and seasonal colds.

Water-soluble aromatic oils

Can I use water soluble fragrances for my air humidifier? Such oils differ from real ether only in concentration. Therefore, they can be used for aromatherapy using a humidifier.

To obtain a water-soluble oil, it is necessary to reduce the viscosity and density by removing glycerin from the composition. This component is replaced with alcohol. Experts say that the resulting product has the same properties as real essential oil.

Making the flavor yourself

Far away in all cases, you can use a scent for a humidifier. With your own hands, you can make a device that will help fill the atmosphere of the room with a pleasant smell, if the climatic device does not have such functionality.

The easiest option is soda flavoring. It will require a small glass container, on which you can put a lid with holes, your favorite essential oils and baking soda. Fill the third part of the jar with soda, add 10 drops of ether, mix and close the lid.