How to Use a Humidifier to Treat a Head Cold

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By Patrice Campbell
eHow Contributing Writer

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Head colds are prevalent in the winter because the cold virus thrives under dry conditions. The mucous membranes are dried out by the dry air in a heated home, leading to a stuffed nose and sore throat.

A head cold will usually last about a week no matter how you treat it, but irritated nasal passages and a scratchy throat can be soothed to ease the misery as you wait it out. Besides suppressing the irritation of the mucous membranes by drinking warm water with lemon and honey, adding humidity to the home with a humidifier, cool mist or warm vapor, will help alleviate head cold symptoms.

Running either a cool mist or warm vapor humidifier will ease symptoms of a head cold by moistening the air, but many parents of young children opt for the cool mist to avoid the possibility of injury a warm vaporizer poses. No matter what type of humidifier is chosen, any benefit of relieving the dryness will be lost without proper care of the unit. An improperly cleaned humidifier can introduce and spread bacteria, mold and fungi throughout the home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cool mist humidifier
Clean water
Bleach, unless another disinfectant is recommended by the manufacturer

Step 1

Read and follow the operating instructions that came with the appliance as they may vary depending on the type of humidifier used and the frequency of use.
Step 2

Place the humidifier in a central location, avoiding bedrooms, where it will be out of the way and safe from being knocked over.
Step 3

Clean and disinfect the reservoir according to the manufacturer's directions.
Step 4

Fill the water reservoir just before using, not ahead of time.
Step 5

Change the water in the humidifier daily. Do not just keep adding fresh water.
Step 6

Empty the water reservoir immediately after use.
Step 7

Clean, disinfect and refill the humidifier reservoir immediately before it is to be used again.