How Does a Humidifier Improve Your Health?

The right humidity in your home is not only important for your personal well-being and a pleasant indoor climate, it also affects your health. Dry air not only irritates the respiratory tract but also increases the risk of infection.

Humidification reduces risk of infection

Many different pathogens are present in varying concentrations in indoor air: In addition to bacteria and viruses, mold spores can also contribute to the development of chronic respiratory infections. Airborne dust also poses a risk to your health and, depending on its composition, may trigger allergies, such as house dust allergy caused by the excrement of certain mites.A 1986 study examined concentrations of various bacteria and air pollutants as a function of humidity. As a result, low humidity increases the number of bacteria and viruses in the air, while high humidity promotes the growth of mold and dust mites. The recommended ideal humidity range is 40 to 60%, which is a compromise between the absence of particularly high concentrations of bacteria and viruses on the one hand and the absence of mites and mold on the other. Not very popular.Other studies have also looked at the impact of dry air on infection risk. For example, at relative humidity between 20% and 35%, the risk of contracting the influenza virus is three times greater than at the ideal humidity of 50%. There are several reasons for this effect: On the one hand, the lifespan of bacteria and viruses increases as humidity decreases. On the other hand, when humidity is low, bacteria can travel faster and farther through the air.

Humidifier reduces dust

In addition to reducing the risk of infection, another positive effect of more humid air is reduced dust pollution: when air humidity is high, water molecules also accumulate on all types of dust particles. This causes the suspended material to become heavier and sink to the ground faster. Increasing humidity can reduce dust levels by up to 80%. This effect is especially important for allergy sufferers, as less dust and allergy-causing substances in the air will lead to an improvement in most symptoms.

Effects of dry air on skin

If the humidity in your home is too low, you may notice it first in your respiratory tract: Your throat will feel scratchy and your nose will start to itch. Although the mucous membranes of your mouth and nose are constantly supplied with moisture by your body, if they are irritated by dry indoor air, your need for water will increase accordingly. If the mucous membranes are dry, the body's own defenses against air pollutants are also impaired, further increasing the risk of infection.