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A Humidifier's Impact on Allergies

If you suffer from asthma and allergies, using a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist and filtered can be beneficial. However, a humidifier may have a negative impact on people with certain types of allergies. If you use a humidifier too often, it can promote the spread of dust mites and mold.

  1. Advantages

    • Dry air can irritate nasal and air passages. If you suffer from asthma, dry air can increase the chances of an asthma attack. If you suffer from allergies, dry air also can aggravate your condition. A humidifier adds moisture to the air to help alleviate these problems.

    Disadvantages

    • If you are congested and have a runny nose, adding moisture to the air may do more harm than good. Using a humidifier around people who suffer from allergies to dust mites and mold also may result in more negative symptoms. Dust mites and mold flourish in higher humidity--adding moisture to the air may increase the allergens in your environment.

    Considerations

    • It's best to use a humidifier in your bedroom at night while you sleep. Often, people who suffer from allergies may wake with such symptoms as scratchy throats and irritated nasal passages. Avoid using a humidifier in your daytime living spaces and basement. Such rooms as the kitchen may already have extra humidity from cooking throughout the day.

    Features

    • When shopping for a humidifier, buy one with a built-in humidistat to help regulate the humidity levels. Look for a unit with an automatic shut-off capability for when the water in the tank runs out. Running a humidifier engine without water in the tank is a potential hazard. Humidifiers also may offer a built-in HEPA air filter system, which helps clean the air while humidifying. Look for a humidifier that can help filter out dust, mold, pollen and dust mites to help alleviate your allergy symptoms.

    Humidity

    • While using a humidifier, monitor the room's humidity levels. Do not add too much moisture to the air. Set the humidifier's humidistat at about 30 percent to 40 percent to reduce the chances of spreading dust mites and mold. This step also will make the water in the humidifier tank last longer.

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