Vaporizer or Humidifier: Which Is Best?
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
Published on in Health Tip of the Week
When your child has a cough and congestion, offering them relief can be difficult — especially if they're too young to take an over-the-counter cough medicine. One safe suggestion you’re likely to hear from your pediatrician: more moisture. Adding moisture to the air in your home can help ease congestion, calm a sore throat and alleviate a cough.
But with so many humidifier and vaporizer options lining drugstore shelves, which should you choose?
Humidifiers use cool water to create a fine mist or spray that is released into the air. Vaporizers first boil water and then release the steam. While both are effective in adding humidity to the air, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the use of a cool mist humidifier. Vaporizers can cause burns if your child gets too close to the steam or accidentally knocks over a device filled with hot water.
With that decision made, here are some other tips for choosing the right humidifier for your family and using it properly during cold and flu season:
Contributed by: Anjuli S. Gans, MD