Humidifiers - benefits and harms
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Doctors confirm that humidifying the air in the home is important, especially for young children. Why do you need a humidifier for your baby?
- The baby's body generates a lot of heat while losing fluid. If the home air is too dry, the baby’s sweating increases and the blood thickens, which is harmful for him.
- Dryness in the house reduces the baby's immunity over time, and the child can easily get bronchitis, rhinitis, and pneumonia.
- If you believe the reviews, humidifying the air helps solve the problem of dry eyes.
The device has many advantages. However, before you buy one for your home, you should find out what the benefits and harms of a humidifier are. Minuses:
- The release of hot steam to the outside (for certain models), which can cause a child to get burned.
- The room temperature may rise when using heaters with a humidifier.
- Traditional models are dangerous because they collect microorganisms and viruses.
- Ultrasound devices are capable of releasing chemical elements along with liquid that settle on furniture and the walls of the child’s lungs.
It is recommended to use distilled water to avoid harmful effects. It is better to choose equipment with a hygrostat and a display to monitor air parameters. There are contraindications for the device. Do not use the moisture generator if:
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- emphysema;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- acute pneumonia;
- cerebral circulatory disorders.
Why is it needed?
Customer reviews are contradictory. Some recommend humidifiers, others believe that devices can cause harm. Experts say that if automatic moisture generators are used correctly, then problems should not arise. Why do you need a humidifier for your baby? There are several reasons to order and buy the device:
- Newborn babies are not used to breathing dirty, dry air; it is dangerous and can lead to dehydration.
- The device reduces the number of germs in the air, making it more difficult to catch a cold or catch a virus.
- The risk of skin problems: peeling and others is reduced.
- Babies sleep better when the indoor air is humidified.
- Any other methods of humidification are less effective than using special equipment.
Functions
Before you buy a useful device for home, you should decide on its purpose. The functions of the humidifier should be as follows:
- hydration;
- purification from impurities;
- independent maintenance of humidity level (desirable parameter);
- aromatization will be a big advantage (essential oils of lemon, fir, eucalyptus will protect the child from colds);
- the device must operate silently;
- The air ionization function is useful.
Types of humidifiers
Modern air humidifiers come in three main types:
- steam;
- ultrasonic;
- with natural hydration;
- nano-humidifiers.
Steam
A steam humidifier is the simplest and most uncomplicated one. Humidification in it occurs due to hot steam, which appears as a result of heating the water. It is able to humidify very quickly even a room of a decent size.
However, it has several significant drawbacks. Firstly, it is very dangerous because it evaporates hot steam, which can burn the baby. And if the baby manages to knock over this device with boiling water, it’s scary to imagine what kind of injuries this could result in!
Secondly, a steam humidifier is very energy-consuming, which will affect meter readings and electricity bills. And considering that during the heating season it is reasonable to keep the device on around the clock, this will cost a pretty penny.
Thirdly, the price for this kind of humidifiers is steep, and starts from 5,000 rubles. in metropolitan online stores.
Therefore, I would definitely not recommend a steam humidifier for a child.
With natural hydration
Such devices are essentially a container of water and a built-in fan that blows out moisture and produces so-called natural evaporation.
What can I say, judging by customer reviews, these devices are the least efficient. Many people complain about the unreasonably inflated price of such a unit, and also say that later they had to purchase a second device, since the first one could not cope with the humidification function to normal levels.
And this is not surprising. The very concept of “natural” hydration does not inspire confidence in advance, because we know that basins of water and wet towels are ineffective, although they are typical examples of “natural” hydration.
The second disadvantage of such humidifiers is that due to the operation of the fan, these units have an increased noise level. You may be willing to put up with this during the day, but in the quiet of the night it can create inconvenience for a newborn baby and a person with a light sleeper. The price of such humidifiers in online stores starts from 3,000 rubles.
Ultrasonic
This is a leader in terms of price, quality, and ease of use.
How does he work? Completely safe, unlike their steam counterparts. Water at room temperature is poured into a special bowl, the device is turned on, and humidification occurs due to steam broken up by ultrasound. These are very small grains of moisture at a neutral temperature. The baby can touch this steam with his hands, inhale it, it’s completely safe!
What’s nice is that the device consumes very little electricity, 13 times less than a steam unit, and can work around the clock without any harm to your wallet.
In addition, the ultrasonic humidifier is completely silent, and even when turned on, does not interfere with the sensitive sleep of the baby and his parents.
The price of such a humidifier is another of its advantages, because it starts from 500 rubles.
Nano humidifier
This is a kind of novelty, the latest technology, they are also called climate complexes. Undoubtedly, this is the most expensive humidifier, but is it worth overpaying for it?
This device is capable of breaking water into even smaller particles than an ultrasonic humidifier. According to manufacturers, such particles are not capable of carrying bacteria and viruses.
However, as you and I know, if the air in a room is humid, cool and moving, then viruses and bacteria cannot survive in it in principle. Therefore, I would say that this statement is nothing more than a publicity stunt, and not a real competitive advantage.
As a rule, nano humidifiers are equipped with an air purification function. How it works? It's simple. Dirty air is driven inside using a special fan, cleaned, and released back - already cleaned of dust and other harmful impurities.
Among the disadvantages, one can note the rather high price for this type of device, from 4000 rubles.
So that you do not make a mess in your head from the knowledge you have acquired and can answer the question of which is the best air humidifier to buy, we will collect all the pros and cons of these devices in a table.
Index | Steam | Natural | Ultrasonic | Nano |
Safety | — | + | + | + |
Efficiency | + | — | + | + |
Energy consumption | — | + | + | — |
Noise | — | — | + | — |
Price | — | — | + | — |
Thus, after weighing all the pros and cons, we see that the ultrasonic humidifier is the leader in the rating and the best in all respects. Actually, this is the type of humidifier I recommend for installation in a children's room.
Ultrasonic humidifier
The optimal solution for children are ultrasonic models. Moisture is broken up by high-frequency vibrations into small particles and spreads around. Among the advantages of this type are the presence of humidification adjustment, a natural method of spraying water, silent operation, and safety for children. However, ultrasonic air humidifiers require frequent replacement of cartridges. The price of the device depends on the specific manufacturer. Below are popular models with photos.
From:
- Model name: PUH 3504.
- Price: 2970 rubles.
- General characteristics: compact model with liquid deficiency indication, designed for an area of up to 24 sq.m. Power – 22 W, touch panel, 2 operating modes.
- Main advantages: small size, functionality.
- Cons: none found.
BALLU:
- Model name: UHB-400.
- Price: 2510 rub.
- General characteristics: device with aroma capsule, for an area of no more than 40 sq.m. Case lighting.
- Main advantages: interesting design, flavoring function.
- Cons: inconvenient water refilling, small reservoir.
Price issue
The most affordable model is steam cleaners and ultrasonic types of humidifiers. It starts from 2000 rubles . The more functions a device performs, the higher it is in the price range. The cost of some steam and ultrasonic models can reach 30 thousand rubles. But air washing and climate systems will cost the most - 50 thousand rubles.
By purchasing an air humidifier for a children's room, parents can rest assured about the health of their child. And this device can be used in all rooms. The thing is for many years and for health.
Steam
An electronic device with a steam humidification system works similar to a kettle. The liquid boils and sprays. Steam humidifiers sterilize the atmosphere. At a certain humidity level, the device automatically turns off. The advantage of this option is the ability to refill with tap water and the absence of cartridges. However, the devices are powerful, consume a lot of electricity, and are dangerous for children (there is a risk of getting burned).
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For Boneco Air-O-Swiss:
- Model name: S450.
- Price 16990 rub.
- General characteristics: works from the mains, suitable for rooms with an area of no more than 60 square meters. m. There are 2 operating modes.
- Main advantages: easy to operate, does not require additional parts (cartridges, filters).
- Cons: noisy during operation, high cost.
From Stadler Form:
- Model name: Fred.
- Price: 9150 rub.
- General characteristics: normalizes humidity in rooms up to 40 sq.m. Powerful, produces sterile steam, equipped with a liquid deficiency indicator.
- Main advantages: stylish space design, safety.
- Cons: high price
Classification of humidifiers
There are three main groups of humidifiers on the market. The criterion for division is the principle of microclimate change. Depending on the humidification technique, the level of energy consumption, the structure of the model and its performance change.
Type | Characteristic |
Traditional | Air humidification occurs when it is blown through a cassette or filter that is soaked in water. The operating principle of the device is based on natural evaporation. The advantage of traditional humidifiers is their low energy consumption. The downside is low productivity and the need to change water frequently |
Ultrasonic | The device produces cold steam, which is filled with water particles. Water is crushed due to a membrane oscillating at high frequencies. An ultrasonic device consumes up to 50-60 watts and has average performance. The disadvantage of this method of moistening is the formation of a white coating on the furniture. |
Steam | Air humidification is achieved by releasing hot steam. Steam models have containers for heating water, from which it evaporates. The device does not require filters for cleaning or constant maintenance. The disadvantage of this humidification method is the increased energy consumption |
Humidifier and Air Purifier
Special complexes with many functions are an ideal option for residents of megacities. A humidifier and air purifier can be equipped with an ionizer, an ozonizer, have adjustable fan speed, and heat the room. Companies all over the world are engaged in the production of such systems. The device can be customized to suit individual needs. Below is an overview of the models that are among the top most popular among buyers.
Scoole:
- Model name: SC AW.
- Price 1600 rub.
- General characteristics: power 10 W, service area – up to 15 sq.m. Works continuously for up to 60 hours. Weight – 0.7 kg. Equipped with aromatization function.
- Main advantages: low price, safety.
- Cons: not suitable for large rooms.
Sharp:
- Model name: KC-A51RW.
- Price 22500 rub.
- General characteristics: power – 41 W, service area – up to 38 sq.m. Works up to 6 hours. Equipped with carbon and HEPA filters (fine filters), adjustment, and timer.
- Main advantages: versatility, safety.
- Cons: high price.
How to choose the right place to place a humidifier in a children's room
First of all, the humidifier should be positioned so that the child cannot reach it.
The optimal height for placing the device is considered to be from 50 centimeters to 1 meter from the floor level - this will make the distribution of moist air more uniform.
The surface on which the device is located must be level and stable.
The steam jet should not be directed at walls, electrical appliances, furniture, cribs, books - the steam requires space to spray freely and dissolve in the air.
If there are working heating devices in the room, it is better to place the humidifier next to them, so that the curtain of moist air creates protection from overdried air, and the distance between them should be at least 30 centimeters.
Traditional
This option appeared earlier than others. The difference between the models is the presence of a fan that drives air masses through a moistened filter. Cold steam obtained after mechanical humidification refreshes the atmosphere and normalizes humidity levels. Buying traditional humidifiers is especially important in the summer when it is very hot. For comparison, it is worth noting that such a device cannot over-humidify the air.
Fanline has:
- Model name: VE-200.
- Price 7800 rub.
- General characteristics: equipped with ozonation, aromatization, ionization functions. Provides 3 stages of air purification.
- Main advantages: does not require additional parts, multifunctional.
- Cons: low power.
Option from Philips:
- Model name: HU4707/13.
- Price: 5900 rub.
- General characteristics: desktop, power – 14 W, service area – up to 15 sq. m.
- Main advantages: compact, silent.
- Cons: Requires regular filter changes.
Compact
In small apartments, it is especially important that the equipment does not take up much space. The small device fits perfectly on the wall or behind a cabinet. A compact air humidifier can be purchased inexpensively in an online store. It will cope with its functions perfectly without attracting the baby’s attention, because if the child gets burned or disassembles the device, the consequences can be negative.
Option from Polaris:
- Model name: PUH 3102 (“apple”).
- Price: 590 rub.
- General characteristics: ultrasonic, works up to 4 hours, service area – up to 10 sq.m.
- Main advantages: original design, small size, low price.
- Cons: small processing area.
At DEXP:
- Model name: BAO-55.
- Price: 1600 rub.
- General characteristics: ultrasonic, spray area - up to 25 square meters. Works no longer than 11 hours in a row.
- Main advantages: compact, inexpensive.
- Cons: reliability is below average.
Why do you need a humidifier in a nursery?
The lungs of a newborn baby are poorly developed to breathe air that is too dry. The child's body is capable of intensively losing moisture (up to 30 ml per hour). And this can lead to dehydration.
For a child, a sufficient humidity level is at least 50%, provided that he is healthy. And if the baby suffers from some kind of respiratory disease, then all 60%. Dry air causes the nasal mucosa to dry out. The baby will sleep poorly and suffer from headaches due to a stuffy nose. By itself, dry mucous membrane, even in a healthy child, is simply not able to perform its main function - to retain the smallest particles contained in the air. This means that they will get into the lungs.
That is why it is necessary to create favorable conditions in the children's room. And here a humidifier will come to the aid of parents. A good device is small in size , low electricity consumption and high efficiency. How to choose it?
First you need to understand on what principle humidifiers work in general. In its design, the device has a fan that sucks air from the room, passes it through various filters and releases already purified vapors back into the space. The electrostatic filter retains dust particles through an electrification process. And the carbon filter removes all kinds of odors and harmful gases. At the outlet, the humidifier system can even add aromatic oils to the purified air.
In our childhood, wet sheets hung around the room and basins of water standing near the radiator served as humidifiers. At one time this was a good way to escape the dry air, but progress is not marking time.
A good humidifier in a child's room will make the air sufficiently humidified and even healthy. The baby will breathe easier , he will sleep more soundly, and, therefore, he will begin to be more active during the day. Problems with a stuffy nose in the morning and at night will disappear forever. Harmful microbes cannot survive in humid conditions, so the child is not afraid of them. In addition, the risk of various allergies and respiratory diseases will be significantly reduced. And clean and humidified air itself promotes the healthy development of a small child’s body.
Silent
So that your baby can sleep peacefully and not be distracted by the sound of the humidifier while playing, you should choose devices with a low noise level. If the device constantly hisses, it irritates even the adult residents of the house. You can find the best option in catalogs among traditional or ultrasonic models. The quietest humidifier can be selected from the devices presented below with a detailed description of the functions.
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Option from Panasonic:
- Model name: F-VXH50.
- Price: 32,990 rub.
- General characteristics: weight 8.6 kg, power 45 W, serves up to 40 sq.m. area. Equipped with an indicator for filter cleanliness and replacement. Night operating mode is provided.
- Main advantages: functional, quiet, powerful.
- Cons: large dimensions, high price.
From:
- Model name: AH 6-300 TC.
- Price: 3150 rub.
- General characteristics: power 30 W, ionization function, humidifies the air with cold steam.
- Main advantages: original design, low price.
- Cons: none found.
Why do you need a humidifier for your baby?
The comfort of the environment is even more important for a child than for an adult:
- children's skin dries out easily and becomes sensitive to the influence of microbes, which can lead to the appearance of microcracks or infection of the skin;
- with low humidity, the child’s body quickly loses moisture, this leads to an increase in blood viscosity, which negatively affects the overall well-being and functioning of internal organs;
- mucus produced by the mucous membranes of the nose and nasopharynx, when dry, becomes an excellent breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria;
- harmful substances - dust, microbes, viruses - move more actively in air with low humidity, which makes it easier for them to enter the respiratory tract and increases the risk of disease, especially in children who do not yet have a strong enough immune system.
For a child, the most comfortable range is considered to be a humidity range of 40–60% and an air temperature of 20–25°.
At the age of about 3 years, my son was diagnosed with adenoiditis. Because of this, he often caught colds, this caused an enlargement of the adenoids, and even after recovery, he continued to have residual symptoms - snot and cough. Most of the time he was or looked cold. Since the severity of the disease was not so severe that urgent surgery was required, I decided to try conservative treatment, including purchasing a humidifier. After this unit appeared in our house, it became more pleasant to be in the children’s room, my son’s mucous membranes stopped drying out, this helped reduce the manifestations of a runny nose, and in general, the child’s health gradually improved. Moreover, before the purchase, I didn’t even think about how much humidity there was in our apartment, and I didn’t feel any discomfort, and only after comparing the sensations of dry and “wet” air did I understand why it is so important to monitor the humidity in the house.
Dr. Komarovsky, the most famous pediatrician in our country, believes that an air humidifier is important and necessary for every family with a child. His point about this device is that you can't get sick without having a humidifier, but you can get sick without having one. At the same time, he advises not to keep the device constantly running, but to turn it on only as needed, when the air humidity, according to the hygrometer readings, drops below 50°.
At the same time, do not forget that a humidifier can also have harmful effects, mainly due to improper use:
- steam appliances can burn the baby as they release a stream of hot steam;
- ultrasonic varieties spray water along with everything it contains - and these can be salts, dust, and harmful substances dissolved in water;
- In traditional humidifiers, microorganisms that are harmful to human health accumulate on the replaceable cassette.
With aromatherapy
Very often, modern manufacturers produce multifunctional humidifiers that combine aromatization, ionization, purification of air masses from tobacco smoke, and so on. For a child's room, an aromatherapy humidifier is a good option. Essential oils of citrus fruits, mint, and eucalyptus help protect the child from ARVI viruses and colds, and lavender restores the baby’s strength. A pleasant aroma has a positive effect on the well-being of all residents of the house.
Option from NeoClima:
- Model name: NHL-220L.
- Price: 1690 rub.
- General characteristics: compact, ultrasonic air humidifier for children with aromatization and lighting.
- Main advantages: small size, functionality, low price.
- Cons: requires careful handling when disconnecting the flask.
From Rolsen:
- Model name: RAH-770.
- Price: 1950 rub.
- General characteristics: made of safe materials, ultrasonic, for rooms no more than 15 sq.m.
- Main advantages: attractive design of the air humidifier for children, low price, aromatization function.
- Cons: slight noise (squeaking), noticeable in complete silence.
What is a humidifier and why is it needed?
An air humidifier is an electrical device that humidifies the air in a room. Some models also purify the air from bacteria and viruses and “wash” the air.
You need a humidifier if your baby:
- prone to allergic reactions;
- has sleep disorders;
- often suffers from colds;
- has skin problems (it is dry and flaky).
One of the reasons for such manifestations is dry air.
By the way, if your baby snorts when sucking, and in the morning there are dry crusts in his nasal passages, then this also indicates insufficient humidity in the children's room.
With humidity sensor
Some moisture generators operate until the water in the tanks runs out. However, waterlogged air harms the baby no less than dry air. Devices with work timers are a great option. A humidifier with a humidity sensor monitors the readings in the room and automatically turns off at the desired level. Below are several options with a hygrostat.
Option from Stadler Form:
- Model name: O-021 Oskar.
- Price: 11890 rub.
- General characteristics: model of a traditional air humidifier for children, ionization function. There are all indicators and a hygrostat.
- Main advantages: multifunctional, safe.
- Cons: large, high price.
From Rolsen:
- Model name: RAH-776.
- Price: 3099 rub.
- General characteristics: ultrasonic with hygrostat. Works up to 28 hours. Spray area – up to 50 sq. m.
- Main advantages: multifunctional, safe.
- Cons: no locking, cheap plastic, no fan.
Humidifier for children - video
Dr. Komarovsky in a short video answers the question of whether a child needs a humidifier. The answer is clear: yes, it is necessary. When choosing, consider your needs: do you need a humidifier on an ongoing basis, or will you use it occasionally. The doctor recommends using a humidifier for respiratory symptoms: cough, runny nose in a child.
Pay attention to the energy consumption of the device and the level of noise produced. Avoid unnecessary additional options such as a remote control, backlight, display with temperature and humidity indicators: when installing a humidifier in a children's room, they are not needed, which means you can save money on them.
The benefits of a humidifier for children cannot be underestimated. Optimal humidity in a children's room is the prevention of respiratory diseases, strengthening the immune system, improving the baby's sleep and mood. In the comments, share what type of humidifier you chose for your baby.
How to choose a humidifier for children
Modern stores offer many options for solving the problem of dryness in the house. You can purchase devices with ionization, hot or cold steam, floor-standing and tabletop. However, before buying such a device, it is worth considering the features of different models: operating time, power source, serviced area, and others. It is recommended to choose an air humidifier taking into account the following purposes:
- Those looking for a cheap option should consider traditional or steam models. They are easy to install and operate, are inexpensive, and cope well with the main task.
- If you are interested not only in normal humidity, but also in purification from harmful microbes, it is recommended to choose one with air purity control, washing, or a climate complex.
- For a large room, an ultrasonic humidifier and climate control system would be a good purchase.
- If the tap water in your home is of poor quality, and you don’t want to spend money on cleaning cartridges, you should choose steam appliances, traditional ones, or a sink.
- An ultrasonic device is suitable for those who are not afraid of additional costs for cartridges.
- If there is no room in the room for a large device, it is worth buying an ultrasonic or steam device.
- If the baby is a light sleeper, then a silent option is needed. Here you will need a climate or ultrasonic cleaner.
How to choose a humidifier for a children's room? It is worth noting that the optimal solution for indoor use is expensive climate control systems or ultrasonic devices. They cope well with the problem of dryness and cleaning, do not cause allergies, and are safe even for infants and patients with asthma. With the help of household equipment, you can clean the air of harmful substances even in cities with a population of over a million, with industrial enterprises.
What kind of water should be poured into a humidifier?
Most manufacturers recommend using distilled water for appliances, in fact, as for any equipment (irons, steamers, etc.). Of course this is the best option. However, it is very expensive.
An alternative is to use boiled and settled water. This is the least expensive option, close in composition to distilled water.
You can also try using filtered water, but most filters do not remove calcium salts from the water. Therefore, the use of such water, over time, can lead to the appearance of a white coating on the floor, furniture and household appliances.
A humidifier, like any household appliance, must be used correctly. Rinse, clean and dry regularly according to the operating instructions supplied with the device. In this case, it will successfully serve you for many years, preserving the health of all family members.
I bring to your attention a very short, succinct and informative video on how to choose a humidifier for a children's room with comments from the famous children's pediatrician E.O. Komarovsky.