The Costco Connection - October 2018

Humidifier types

The two most common types of humidifiers are ultrasonic and evaporative.

Ultrasonic humidifiers use a vibrating nebulizer to release a visible cool or warm mist, producing little, if any, noise.

Some people prefer this type of humidifier because it is considered safer, in that there is no hot water present in the unit and therefore no risk of scalding since the unit does not heat the water in any way.

Evaporative humidifiers blow air over a wet wick and add moisture to the air as water evaporates, creating an invisible cool mist. The wick must be replaced periodically.

Evaporative humidifiers are considered louder than ultrasonics.—DLM

ooling weather and spending
more time indoors can lead to a
host of health issues, from dry
skin and cracked lips to dry air-
ways that can lead to sinus congestion
and other problems. A humidifier may
help. Here’s the lowdown.

“Indoor winter air evaporates mois-
ture from the skin,” says Traci Gonzales,
an advanced practice registered nurse,
certified pediatric nurse practitioner and
certified asthma educator, who is a
spokesperson for the American Lung
Association. “Dry air decreases the
amount of moisture in the respiratory
tract: nose, sinuses, throat and lungs. Dry
airways and mucous membranes are sus-
ceptible to nosebleeds and sinus conges-
tion, and can’t filter dust, allergens and
viruses as well as they should.”
A humidifier increases indoor humid-
ity to between ;; and ;; percent. This is
the optimum range recommended by
health professionals. The moist air can
soothe dry skin, sore throats and irritated
airways; relieve eczema; and moisturize
dry mucous membranes in the nose,
allowing them to do a better job of filter-
ing dust, allergens and viruses and help
the body defend itself against illness.

Moisturized indoor air also provides comfort by helping to relieve sore throats, nosebleeds and sinus congestion, as well as cold and flu symptoms. Additionally, humidifiers may help you sleep better at night by relieving dry cough and irritated airways.

Brooklyn, New York, Costco member Suzanne McCoy bought an ultrasonic humidifier last winter. She reports, “It really made the difference and helped my daughter sleep at night without dry coughing.”