January in Idaho is cold and the air tends to be even dryer than in the summer. Some of us feel it with cracked lips, dry skin, bloody noses, dry coughs, and irritated vocal cords.
Dry air can cause moisture to evaporate from the skin and respiratory symptoms to worsen over time. Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can counteract some of these problems.
Some benefits of using a humidifier
It can make your dry cough more productive by adding humidity in the air and opening your airways while adding moisture to them. A productive cough can help loosen up and release trapped and sticky phlegm. So, you can breathe a little easier.
Do you have a partner that snores at night or is that snorer you? It might be time for the sake of you and your partners night rest to try a humidifier. Increasing the amount of moisture in the air can help reduce snoring because your airways have more lubrication.
Applying lotion and Chapstick in the winter religiously and still having dry cracked skin? In the winter, many types of heating units pump out warm dry air. Often this leaves us with itchy, flaky, or cracked skin. Using a humidifier to add some moisture to the air can help reduce the occurrence of dry, cracked skin. You may just find that you’re reaching for that bottle of lotion or Chapstick less often.
Dig out those humidifiers from under your sinks or head to the pharmacy to pick one up. Plug it in and see the difference it can make for your comfort and health during these cold winter months.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/humidifiers-and-health#types
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322228#six-humidifier-uses-and-their-benefits
