Humidifier for runny nose and cough: Does it help? What's worth knowing?

Humidity surprisingly affects many aspects of our health and well-being, often being the indirect or direct cause of headaches, fatigue, poor concentration, conjunctivitis, and skin problems. Most importantly, it impacts the condition of our respiratory system – susceptibility to infections, frequency of coughing or runny nose. How does this happen? Why is air humidity so important? And does a humidifier help better protect against colds and coughs?

Dry air and coughing 

Low humidity can lead to ailments often mistaken for a cold. Persistent cough, dry throat, breathing difficulties, runny nose, and dry eyes may or may not be signs of an infection. They can also indicate prolonged exposure to a dry environment.

Coughing caused by dry air results from the drying out of the respiratory tract’s mucous membranes. A tickling sensation in the throat prompts coughing. During the heating season, many people use throat moisturizers. These are not bad, but they only mask the problem. A humidifier for dry cough eliminates the cause – too low humidity.

Drying out the respiratory tract’s mucous membranes means that the cilia present in the epithelium cannot function properly. They are responsible for cleaning inhaled air, so their impaired function means pathogens can enter the body more easily.

Dry air exacerbates allergic symptoms

Moreover, dry air allows various contaminants to float more easily, which can exacerbate allergic symptoms. Allergy sufferers need to be especially cautious.

In cases of inhalant allergies, the mucous membranes of allergy sufferers, already irritated and fatigued from defending against allergens, cannot effectively protect the upper respiratory tract from viruses and bacteria. This is why allergy sufferers are more prone to upper respiratory infections, primarily sinusitis.

Skin allergy symptoms, such as eczema or atopic dermatitis, may also occur more frequently. Living in dry environments can lead to increased skin dryness and itching, and the skin may also become more irritated and red.

How Klarta Humea alleviates cold and cough symptoms

Humidifying the air with Klarta Humea Smart Evaporative Humidifier with WiFi brings relief in breathing, making it easier to cough up or blow out secretions. Allergy sufferers can more easily get rid of allergens lodged in their throats and noses. The Klarta air humidifier also helps people suffering from PNDS (post-nasal drip syndrome), which causes a sensation of a post-nasal drip obstacle in the throat, prompting constant coughing.

By reducing mucous membrane irritation, Klarta Humea positively affect well-being, concentration, and sleep quality. They can also help reduce embarrassing snoring symptoms.

Which humidifier for a child’s room? Choose healthy evaporation

Using evaporation technology (natural cool evaporation), the Klarta Humea humidifiers use the most hygienic way to humidify rooms. The emitted humid mist is pre-filtered. Mineral compounds, potential bacteria, and chemical substances in the water are trapped in the filter (this is why we recommend rinsing the filter, as mentioned below).

The adjustable 5% humidity stat function allows for convenient humidity level adjustments, preventing over-humidification of the room. Additionally, our humidifier can also serve as an elegant night light. The adjustable lighting function allows you to set the intensity of the emitted light, softly illuminating the area around a child’s bed.

Klarta Humea Smart Evaporative Humidifier with WiFi – 5 user-friendly features

- The humidifying filter captures contaminants in the water (preventing bacteria, such as Legionella, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter, from spreading)

- Antibacterial metal salts on the filter prevent harmful microorganisms from developing on the filter

- The built-in hygrometer and hygrometer facilitate continuous humidity level control

- Efficient evaporative humidification: Output of about 300 ml/h allows the Klarta Humea to be used in rooms up to 475 ft². 

- Quiet operation (24 dB) and a night mode make it ideal for bedrooms

How to maintain a humidifier – 7 tips for healthy use

How to maintain a humidifier to avoid harm? This guide will facilitate proper, healthy use while positively impacting the evaporative filter’s lifespan.

1. Use cold tap water (chlorinated)

   Klarta humidifiers prefer tap water. This water contains safe amounts of chlorine, which ensures hygienic conditions in the water tank for about 24 hours. It protects against microorganism development, which could cause unpleasant odors.

2. Do not use the same water for more than 24 hours

   Water in the humidifier should not be used for more than 24 hours. If you need to refill the water within a day, pour out the last 0.2 – 0.5 liters before refilling with fresh water. Discarding the remaining water significantly prevents limescale buildup on the evaporative filter and reduces bacterial growth.

3. Rotate the filter when changing the water

   When changing the water, also rotate the filter so that the part that was on top is now submerged in water. This is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to extend the filter’s life.

4. Rinse the filter under running water (every 2 days with regular use)

Rinse the filter under running water, directing the water stream from the inside out. This helps remove dust, pet hair, pollen, smog particles, and other contaminants that can enter from the air.

5. Clean the tank, float, and plastic filter parts (every 7 days with regular use)

   Warm water with a mild detergent helps remove deposits and any slippery residues.

6. Use the filter drying function occasionally. Do not allow the filter to dry out during daily use.

The drying function protects the filter from staying in a damp environment and microorganism growth. When activated, it runs for about 6 hours when the water tank is empty. Unfortunately, limescale accumulated on the filter hardens when it dries out. Therefore, it’s advisable to discard water residues beforehand and use the drying function occasionally.

7. If you notice limescale buildup, soak the filter in a solution of water and citric acid (1-2 times a month)

A citric acid solution helps remove limescale from the filter. Prepare 1 liter of water with 60 grams of citric acid. Soak the filter in the solution for at least 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly before reuse.

You can find more practical information on humidifier use in the article: How to Use Klarta Humidifiers to Make Filters Last Up to 6 Months?