Humidifier or dehumidifier?

[Misha789]

I have an air purifier which I have in my bedroom and have used for years. I would like to get either a humidifier or a dehumidifier but I have no idea which would be better for my asthma. Can anyone recommend please?

[Troilus]

For me, it would be a dehumidifier. I find I am worse on humid days. Also boiling stuff on the hob upsets my breathing.

Of course, not everyone experiences this.

[Misha789 in reply to Troilus]

So it’s not really a yes or no answer? It depends on the individual?

I have no idea which makes my breathing worse to be honest!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Misha789]

It really does depend. Some do better with dryer air, others with wetter, and yet others are best at normal 😅. If you think bout your asthma do you have issues with steam/storms/humid days or issues with dry days or are both issues (or neither)? If you live in a damp house then a dehumidifier is the way to go (esp if you get issues with mould) but other than that it really is a personal thing!

Hope that helps in a vague way

[plastererken]

I have a topelek.only set back not sure you can get new filters.it is good though and not lots of money.git it on amazon.also uv light is suppose to be good.but check

[Poobah]

The first thing you need to know is what the humidity levels are in your room and home. If it's around 40% then that's quite normal and probably not an issue. Much higher may very well trigger your asthma symptoms. The recommended range is between 30% & 50%.

Some countries have minimum low humidity levels as a health & safety criteria as low humidity is a health risk. If your room is very dry, say 25% or below that can also be a trigger for asthma symptoms.

I struggle in both high and low humidity situations. One of my old workplaces regularly had humidity levels that were very dry, around 20% because of air conditioning. I ended up having repeated chest infections, up to eight in one particularly bad year. It was an occupational health expert that identified the problem and after adjustments to my work environment I saw a drop in the number of chest infections.

There's a simple ice cube test that you can find online to tests for general humidity. Otherwise you can use a hygrometer but they're not cheap.

I wouldn't buy either a humidifier or dehumidifier. If they aren't scrupulously clean they can be a source of bacteria and become a health hazard in & of themselves.

[Kezzarbell]

In the winter when we have the heating on the humidifier is a god send! Dry air irritates my chest and if I’m ill as well it makes it worse. I have a mini one for my desk at work as the air con can be very dry.

When we lived in a damp flat we had a dehumidifier and that got rid of the mould etc