Do vaporizers help with colds?

When children have a bad cold, parents often put humidifiers or vaporizers in their rooms to try to relieve congestion. But, sadly, this practice can provide comfort, but in reality it is not effective. Cold and flu symptoms usually include a sore throat and nasal congestion. Both vaporizers and humidifiers can help relieve throat irritation and congestion by adding moisture to the air.

Common symptoms of the flu and viruses, such as a runny nose, sinus congestion, cough and sore throat, often make breathing seem to work. Humidifiers help moisturize the nasal passages, throat, and lungs, making it easier for air to pass through. When you're sick, try using a warm mist humidifier, which disperses a soothing, warm vapor for added comfort. It's common for young children to get six to eight colds and upper respiratory tract infections each year.

A good humidifier or vaporizer can reduce congestion and other cold symptoms, which can help them sleep better. There are a few things to consider when looking for the device that best suits your needs. Both cool mist humidifiers and steam vaporizers can add moisture to your home air and help relieve respiratory symptoms without medication. The type you ultimately choose comes down to your personal health, budget, and family considerations.

Even more compact, the Vicks Soothing Vapors plug-in waterless vaporizer can also be used with Vicks VapoPads. That said, the steam produced by steam vaporizers can be more hygienic, since the water is boiled before leaving the machine.