Below are some frequently asked questions about steam inhalation: Is steam inhalation therapy effective? Scarborough, A., et al. (2020). Steam inhalation: More harm than good? Perspective from a UK burns centre.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), steam inhalation is one of the common treatments for sinusitis. The AAFA also notes that people use this therapy option three to four times per day. It’s also super stylish, very quiet, can be controlled via your smartphone or remote control, and it’s extremely easy to keep bacteria-free. There are no filters here; instead, Dyson uses a high-power UV lamp to kill off nasties before they’re pumped into the air. The only cleaning you have to do yourself is periodically to run a so-called “deep clean” which involves, essentially, descaling the parts that accumulate scale over time. It is also recommended by many to use distilled or purified water in humidifiers, rather than water straight out of the tap. There is some debate on this, however, but it's certainly true that over time tap water will help promote pink mould and mineral dust forming in the machine. Prevention: During winter, the air inside your home can become dryer, due to the heating and the cold air outside. This can lead to irritated throat and nasal passages, which can let you more vulnerable to winter illness. Humidifiers add moisture into the air you breathe, and allow to keep your throat and nasal passages hydrated.Things to remember - you should opt for a cold mist humidifier if using close to children, and it's important to keep your machine clean so the children aren't breathing in bacteria from a dirty humidifier. Are humidifiers safe? Dust mites and mould, which can also cause many people to have mild allergic reactions, also benefit from higher humidity but thrive at levels of more than 70%. It's important to keep levels at around 40-50% for optimal results. Little, P., et al. (2016). Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

Humidifiers and essential oils (like scented VapoPads) can help you and your family stay healthy during the cold season. If you’re particularly concerned about air quality, or struggle with allergies or asthma, then you might want to look at an air purifier with a built-in humidifier function. This will filter out pollutants from the air and humidify it at the same time. However, it’s likely to be a bigger unit – not to mention more expensive. Are humidifiers easy to maintain? With frequent cleaning, this shouldn't cause too much of a problem, but it's something to keep in mind if you live in an area where the tap water is particularly hard. Which humidifier is best? Key specs – Dimensions: 26 x 25 x 34cm (WDH); Tank size: 3.8l; Running time: Up to 22 hours; Automatic shut-off: Yes; Warranty: Lifetime For added soothing vapours, use with VapoPads Menthol or Rosemary & Lavender (Optional) essential oilsWe found it really easy to control the strength of the flow of steam, and it barely makes any noise, which certainly isn’t the case with many similarly-priced humidifiers. It even lets you scroll through various colours until you find your ideal ambience, and add oils such as eucalyptus to give the room a lovely fragrance. In general, a higher level of moisture in the air (though not over 50%) promotes better sleep for everyone, including babies. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/cool-mist-humidifiers/faq-20058199

Alternatively, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following when treating nasal congestion: Mypurmist Free Ultrapure Steam Inhaler : This cordless, handheld device does not require any maintenance and uses HEPA filters to remove particles from the air. It is suitable for individuals aged 12 years and older. Veridian Steam Inhaler : This steam inhaler works with distilled or tap water and provides treatments of up to 9 minutes. The inhaler is latex-free and heats up in 1 minute. For safety reasons, it is also important to follow manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning the device.

Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. This is our most expensive option, but there’s enough purifying and humidifying power here to take care of a 26m² space, while the larger UA-HD50U-L will handle rooms of up to 38m². Splash the cash, and your sinuses or skin will thank you.

Compact, portable humidifier compatible with VapoPads to help easy breathing. Takes little space on night table and can easily be taken when travelling. Cough & cold season: The right humidity level helps easy breathing and favorizes a more comfortable and restful sleep.

Increase your air quality, improve your health and get a good night’s sleep

Also consider the size of the humidifier you buy. Smaller models are easier to move, while larger ones cover a bigger area. Here are the three main sizes: