If you have asthma, your home’s humidity level can affect your health. Too little humidity and your nose and throat can become dry and irritated, making colds worse and asthma harder to control.
Too much humidity and allergens such as dust mites and mold may escalate, triggering allergic reactions or asthma attacks. Very humid air is also heavy, which may make it harder to breathe.
In general, indoor humidity levels that range from 30 to 50 percent may be best for those with asthma. This humidity level is also usually comfortable for most people.
Keeping the air at the right humidity level may help reduce asthma symptoms.
A humidifier adds either warm or cool moisture into the air in the form of vapor mist. It can help you regulate the humidity in your home but must be regulated and well-maintained or it may make asthma symptoms worse.
The indoor humidity level is affected by both air temperature and weather conditions outdoors. During cold weather, the air in your home may be dry. Indoor heating can add to the dryness.
If you live in a dry climate year-round, not enough moisture in the air may be a constant fact of life. In both instances, a humidifier can help you maintain just the right amount of indoor humidity.
There’s no medical consensus about the ability of humidifiers to alleviate asthma symptoms. However, if your indoor air is dry enough to adversely affect your airways and respiratory system, a humidifier may be helpful.
Cautions
If you do decide to use a humidifier, here are a few things to know first:
- Humidifiers can worsen asthma if they run nonstop or too high, making the air very humid.
- If you fill your humidifier with tap water, airborne minerals from water may also irritate your lungs.
- Humidifiers can also make asthma worse if they’re not cleaned regularly or properly. A dirty humidifier can harbor bacteria and fungi, which they release into the air.
- Cleaning your humidifier with products containing chemicals or bleach may also be irritating to the respiratory system.
Humidity and dampness can occur in any type of climate, from hot to cold. Breathing in overly humid air can cause respiratory distress and exacerbate asthma.
Dehumidifiers are electrical appliances that remove water from air. Using a dehumidifier can help bring the humidity down in an overly humid home. They can also reduce the buildup of mold and dust mites.
If you already have mold in your home, a dehumidifier won’t remove it. It can, however, reduce or eliminate additional mold growth.
There’s no definitive answer about which is better — a humidifier or a dehumidifier — for people with asthma. It often depends on the specific individual and their asthma triggers. It can be confusing trying to decide which, if any, you need.
If your home becomes very dry at certain times of year, a humidifier can add humidity to the air, helping you breathe better.
If the reverse is true and you live in a damp environment, a dehumidifier may help make the air more comfortable to breathe.
Your current health needs should also be taken into account. Many people automatically reach for a humidifier when they have a cold or respiratory infection, assuming that breathing in moist air will help break up congestion. Some doctors recommend this as well.
Using a humidifier may make it easier for you to breathe in some instances but may also make a respiratory infection worse if you have asthma or an allergy to mold or dust mites.
If you or your child has asthma and you wish to use a humidifier:
- Make sure it’s cleaned every 1 to 3 days and is free of mineralized crusts.
- Change the filter weekly, or as often as is recommended by the manufacturer.
- Use demineralized or distilled water to fill it, rather than tap water.
- Wash it with natural cleansers such as white vinegar or mild dish soap, rather than bleach or chemical cleansers.
Humidifiers and dehumidifiers range in price and in specifications.
Humidifiers
Before buying a humidifier, decide whether you want a warm- or cool-mist model. Also, make sure to take the size of your room into account. Features to look for in a humidifier include:
- cost
- number of output settings
- easy to clean
- timer or automatic shut-off feature
- noise level
Product to consider
The Honeywell HCM350B Germ Free Cool Mist Humidifier has UV technology that kills bacteria, spores, and fungi in water.
Details: It also has a microbial filter that traps minerals. It’s quiet and easy to clean. An automatic output control feature helps you maintain the best humidity level for your home.
Dehumidifiers
Before buying a dehumidifier, consider the amount of dampness in your home and the size of the room where your dehumidifier will run.
Dehumidifiers come in several sizes. Small units typically remove around 30 pints of water a day. Large units can remove up to 70 pints.
Like humidifiers, dehumidifiers must be kept clean. Many need to have the water they capture manually removed. Features to look for in a dehumidifier include:
- cost
- size
- noise level
- easy to lift and clean
- digital readout or other easy-to-access function so you can monitor your home’s humidity level
- automatic shutoff valve or other safety controls that help prevent overheating or water overflow
Product to consider
If you need a large model, the Frigidaire FFAD7033R1 70 Pint removes 70 pints of water daily.
Details: It has an easy-to-read digital humidity readout feature, plus a window so you can gauge when it needs to be cleaned and have its water removed. The pint tank has a handle and splash guard, making it relatively easy to use. One negative is the unit is heavy, weighing around 47 pounds.
Keeping your home’s air at an appropriate humidity level may help, but it’s not enough to control asthma completely.
If you have asthma, your doctor has probably prescribed controller and rescue medications for you. It’s important that you follow your doctor’s directions and continue to use any asthma prevention medications you are prescribed, even when your symptoms are under control.
In addition to taking your prescriptions, these tips may help you to better manage asthma:
- Identify and avoid asthma triggers, such as pollen, animal dander, and dust mites.
- Do not smoke or vape.
- Avoid second- and thirdhand smoke.
- Get a flu shot annually.
- Avoid colds and viruses by washing your hands often and by avoiding people who are ill.
- Get enough sleep.
- Exercise regularly.
Asthma can adversely affect your quality of life but medical interventions can help significantly. If you have early warning signs of asthma, see your doctor. These may include:
- shortness of breath
- coughing
- wheezing
- exhaustion
- tightness in the chest
Many people don’t know they have asthma until they have an asthma attack. If you experience an asthma attack, call 911 or your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an asthma attack include:
- pain or tightness in the chest
- severe shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- uncontrollable coughing or wheezing
(Video) 5 Natural Ways to Reduce Asthma Issues | Sadhguru
If your home has overly dry air, a humidifier may help make your environment more comfortable. For people with asthma, this can make the air less irritating and easier to breathe.
However, a humidifier can also make asthma symptoms worse if it’s not cleaned and maintained properly or promotes the growth of organisms that the person is allergic to.
FAQs
Is it OK to use a humidifier if you have asthma? ›
Increased humidity may ease breathing in children and adults who have asthma or allergies, especially during a respiratory infection such as a cold. But mist from a dirty humidifier or increased growth of allergens caused by high humidity can trigger or worsen asthma and allergy symptoms.
Is warm or cool mist humidifier better for asthma? ›Warm-mist and cool-mist humidifiers are equally effective in humidifying the air. By the time the water vapor reaches your child's lower airways, it's the same temperature regardless of whether it started out warm or cool.
Can humidity make asthma worse? ›Heat and High Humidity
High levels of humidity means the air is full of moisture and often very stagnant, which when inhaled by asthma sufferers, can trigger your asthma symptoms. It also creates an optimal environment for mold and bacteria growth, which can affect your asthma.
Humidifier Use and Detoxification
Moreover, it helps to loosen and clear mucus from the airways that corrects circulation to the lungs. Therefore, it is an effective strategy for the management of respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and sinusitis.
Try using anti-allergy bedding covers and keep pets away from the bedroom. Try using an air purifier to help with allergy symptoms that trigger your asthma. Avoid any food or drink asthma triggers close to bedtime, such as caffeine and alcohol. Relax and de-stress before bed using breathing exercises and yoga.
What is the best indoor humidity for asthma? ›Get rid of mold in all parts of your home to help control your asthma attacks. Keep the humidity level in your home between 35% Page 6 and 50%.
Is dry or humid air better for asthma? ›In general, indoor humidity levels that range from 30 to 50 percent may be best for those with asthma. This humidity level is also usually comfortable for most people. Keeping the air at the right humidity level may help reduce asthma symptoms.
Is steam or cold air better for asthma? ›Hit the Steam Room
Many people with asthma find warm air soothing. A steam bath -- in a sauna or your shower at home -- can help clear out mucus that can make it hard to breathe.
- Houston, TX. ...
- Sarasota, FL. ...
- Daytona Beach, FL. ...
- El Paso, TX. ...
- San Antonio, TX. ...
- San Jose, CA. ...
- Palm Bay, FL. ...
- Provo, UT.
According to a small study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Trusted Source, a room temperature of 68 to 71°F (20 to 21.6°C) is ideal for people with asthma. This temperature isn't too hot or cold, so it won't irritate the airways.
Do air purifiers help asthma? ›
The answer is yes, air purifiers do work for asthma relief. In addition to taking care of asthma triggers around your home, air pollution and asthma are strongly linked. Fortunately, a healthy environment for asthma sufferers can be maintained by the use of an air purifier.
Does sleeping with a humidifier help asthma? ›A humidifier will not help break up congestion, so you should not rush the decision. A humidifier can make it easier for you to breathe in some cases, but it can also worsen your respiratory infection if you have asthma or an allergy to mold.
Can you use tap water in a humidifier? ›Many Americans are unaware that tap water is not intended for use in many home medical devices, including nasal rinsing devices, CPAP machines, and humidifiers, new research shows.
How do I know if I need a humidifier? ›Dry and Itchy Skin
Your skin is one of the best indicators that your home humidity levels are off. If it's itchy and cracking, dry air could be to blame. A humidifier can help alleviate these issues better than lotion or lip balm.
The exact reason that asthma is worse during sleep are not known, but there are explanations that include increased exposure to allergens; cooling of the airways; being in a reclining position; and hormone secretions that follow a circadian pattern. Sleep itself may even cause changes in bronchial function.
What can calm asthma? ›- Sit upright. Stop whatever you are doing and sit upright. ...
- Take long, deep breaths. This helps to slow down your breathing and prevent hyperventilation. ...
- Stay calm. ...
- Get away from the trigger. ...
- Take a hot caffeinated beverage. ...
- Seek emergency medical help.
During the summer, the warmer air holds moisture but during the winter months cold dry outside air infiltrates the house and couple that with the fact that we heat our homes causing hot air to rise and the dry colder air to settle into the lower areas of your house. This is what causes the house to feel so dry.
Where is the best place to put a humidifier in your house? ›With a whole house humidifier, choose the most central room in your home, which is usually the living area. The idea is to get the unit where it can distribute the most humidity into the largest areas of the house. Placing the unit near a cold air return will help distribute the humidified air more thoroughly.
How do I keep the air moist in my bedroom? ›- Get some indoor plants. ...
- Spray water in the air when it feels particularly dry. ...
- Leave a bowl of water by the radiators to evaporate into the air when they're in use. ...
- Hang your clothes to dry indoors. ...
- Boil a kettle in the room to produce steam.
For asthma sufferers, winter can be the most difficult time of the year. Cold, dry air and sudden shifts in the weather can irritate your airways, causing you to produce more mucus. It doesn't always help to stay indoors, as this can lead to an increase in respiratory illnesses like colds and flu.
Does air conditioning make asthma worse? ›
In the summer heat, spending hours in air-conditioned rooms might feel like what you need, but it can trigger an asthma attack.
Why is my humidifier making me sick? ›Although useful, humidifiers can become a household health hazard and actually make you sick if they aren't maintained properly or if humidity levels stay too high. If you use humidifiers, be sure to monitor humidity levels and keep your humidifier clean. Dirty humidifiers can breed mold or bacteria.
What weather is worst for asthma? ›Heat and Humidity
Hot, humid air can cause asthma symptoms as well. Humidity helps common allergens like dust mites and mold thrive, aggravating allergic asthma. Air pollution, ozone and pollen also go up when the weather is hot and humid.
It's more likely to be asthma if your cough is accompanied by other asthma symptoms, like wheezing, breathlessness or chest tightness. Not everyone with asthma coughs. If you do cough it's usually dry, or someone with uncontrolled asthma might have thick clear mucus when they cough.
Is Steam good for asthma? ›Inhaling steam is a common home remedy for easing blockages in the nose and airways. However, there hasn't been any research investigating the effect of steam on asthma specifically.
Can Vicks Vaporub help with asthma? ›Vicks Vaporub is a topical medicine designed to relieve cough in cases of the flu and colds. It is considered safe for kids age 2 years and older, provided you follow the package directions carefully. However, Vicks will not relieve an asthma cough in a child with asthma.
Does albuterol stop wheezing? ›They relieve cough, wheezing, and trouble breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms: Powder.
Is a cold house good for asthma? ›Cold air is bad for most people with asthma as it tends to irritate the bronchial tubes and trigger asthma symptoms. If you have asthma, it may be best for you to stay indoors as much as possible during cold winter weather. Be sure to monitor indoor air quality and install HEPA filters in your ventilation systems.
Is asthma considered a disability in us? ›Yes. In both the ADA and Section 504, a person with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that seriously limits one or more major life activities, or who is regarded as having such impairments. Asthma and allergies are usually considered disabilities under the ADA.
What places should asthma patients avoid? ›...
Mold grows in areas that are dark, humid, and have poor ventilation:
- Outdoors. Stay away from damp, shady areas. ...
- Bathrooms and kitchens. ...
- In the house.
What is the asthma capital of America? ›
1. Detroit, Michigan. Nicknamed “Motor City” for its history at the heart of the automotive industry, Detroit is our #1 Asthma Capital due to its high rates of asthma prevalence, asthma-related emergency room visits, and asthma-related deaths.
Can a cold house make asthma worse? ›Don't worry, you're not alone. Cold air is dry, which irritates your airways. It can also make you produce more mucus, which can make your asthma feel worse.
Is sleeping in the cold good for asthma? ›A cold environment can also worsen asthma symptoms. Cold air, which is often dry, causes the mucus that naturally coats your airways to quickly evaporate. This makes your airways irritated and narrow.
How should I sit if I have asthma? ›Sit up straight
Sitting upright can help keep your airways open. Be sure to avoid lying down while you're having an asthma attack, as this can make symptoms worse.
Asthma-Friendly Cleaning Tips
Try these tips to reduce exposure to asthma triggers: Use liquid or gel cleaners instead of commercial spray cleaners, and choose unscented products when possible. Wear a face mask and gloves (latex free if you are allergic to latex). Open windows and run fans during cleaning.
Some of the most common indoor asthma triggers include environmental tobacco smoke (secondhand smoke), dust mites, mold, cockroaches and other pests, and household pets.
How do you clean air with asthma? ›Air purifiers filter particles in the air, such as dust or smoke, and circulate clean air back into the room. People with asthma may find these devices help reduce indoor asthma triggers. An air purifier is a device people can use in the home to help remove indoor pollutants or allergens.
What kind of humidifier do I need for asthma? ›Temperature: When you choose your humidifier, you should pick one that includes warm mist. A cool mist humidifier won't be as effective at easing your symptoms. Humidity control: Having a high or low humidity, or a humidity that is always changing, is also bad for people with asthma.
How close should a humidifier be to your bed? ›Specifically, we recommend that you keep your humidifier at a distance of around 3 feet from your bed – although there's no inherent harm in placing it closer, if you're restricted on room. This distance is recommended for a variety of reasons.
Should humidifier run all night? ›Leaving your humidifier running at night time has numerous benefits for your overall health and well-being. You'll have much better sleep, less infection risk, and moisturized skin. A better sleep experience: When your humidifier is switched on while you sleep at night, it maintains the room humidity.
What should you not put in a humidifier? ›
Only water should be put in the tank of the humidifier. With most humidifiers, adding essential oils to the tank can breakdown the tank plastic and ruin the internal parts of the humidifiers. As an alternative, use Vicks VapoPads and Vicks VapoSteam with select humidifiers to get soothing Vicks vapors.
Should I put hot or cold water in my humidifier? ›Warm-mist and cool-mist humidifiers are equally effective in humidifying the air. By the time the water vapor reaches your child's lower airways, it's the same temperature regardless of whether it started out warm or cool.
Can I use bottled water instead of distilled water in my humidifier? ›CPAP manufacturers recommend distilled water for optimal humidifier performance. This is because most or all of its minerals have been removed, preventing mineral buildup in the humidifier tub. However, tap or bottled water may also be used.
How do I know if my room has dry air? ›- Irritated sinus and nose bleeds can make it hard to breathe or sleep at night. If you wake up in the middle of the night coughing, it might be from dry indoor air.
- Asthma and allergy flare-ups. ...
- Increase in static electricity. ...
- Damage to wood in your home.
For Allergies
An air purifier will clear the air of common allergens in your home, which will reduce potential triggers so that you can breathe easy. Literally. A humidifier, on the other hand, can help to reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms including congestion, sore throat, watery eyes, sinus pain, and inflammation.
- Increased static electricity.
- Frequent nosebleeds.
- Dry skin.
- Chapped lips.
- Dry throat and nose.
Asthma: A humidifier can help moisten dry air that can dry out your airways and increase your risk of infections. A dehumidifier can reduce excess moisture and make it easier to breathe as well as keep airborne pollutants from remaining suspended in the air.
Is Dry air or humidity better for asthma? ›In general, indoor humidity levels that range from 30 to 50 percent may be best for those with asthma. This humidity level is also usually comfortable for most people. Keeping the air at the right humidity level may help reduce asthma symptoms.
Can humidifiers affect breathing? ›Dehumidifiers may help control asthma
When there's moisture in the air, it becomes heavier and often more difficult to breathe. That's why high-humidity environments can be difficult for people who have asthma. A dehumidifier can make the effort to breathe in and out easier on the lungs.
Therefore, mild temperatures and low humidity are recommended. According to a small study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine , a room temperature of 68 to 71°F (20 to 21.6°C) is ideal for people with asthma.
Do you need an air purifier if you have asthma? ›
The answer is yes, air purifiers do work for asthma relief. In addition to taking care of asthma triggers around your home, air pollution and asthma are strongly linked. Fortunately, a healthy environment for asthma sufferers can be maintained by the use of an air purifier.
What temperature should a room be for asthma? ›According to a small study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine Trusted Source, a room temperature of 68 to 71°F (20 to 21.6°C) is ideal for people with asthma. This temperature isn't too hot or cold, so it won't irritate the airways.
Can humidifiers cause fluid in lungs? ›Humidifier lung is a rare phenotype of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) caused by inhalation exposure to contaminated ventilation units, such as a humidifier [1]. In past reports, various pathogens were reported as causative agents, such as Thermoactinomyces, fungi, and other bacteria [2].
What type of humidifier is best for breathing? ›Cool Mist Humidifiers
If you have a cold, a cool-mist humidifier can help shrink swelling in nasal passages, making it easier for you to breathe, according to the Food and Drug Administration. There are two types of cool mist humidifiers in our ratings: evaporative and ultrasonic.