Humidifiers For Pregnancy – Are They Safe?

Humidifiers are great for controlling the humidity level of indoor air. However, they are also known for increasing the chance of mold.

So, does that mean humidifiers for pregnancy are not safe?

Humidifiers are safe to use during pregnancy. But you need to maintain the humidifier and monitor the humidity of the air frequently. Too high humidity in the air calls for trouble. And a dirty humidifier can emit harmful elements into the air, leading to respiratory problems.

Now, you might be wondering how you should maintain the device and monitor the humidity, right? Well, we will talk about it all in this discussion!

Is Humidifier Safe During Pregnancy?

Dry air causes several health issues, whether you are pregnant or not. Exposure to such air will initiate nose and lung irritation.

You can even start to have breathing issues when the air gets too dry. Although these problems will not seem that severe at first, during pregnancy, any problem with health should not be taken lightly.

In fact, according to ACOG, the blood pressure of pregnant women is likely to rise when they are exposed to dry air for a prolonged time.

And when the blood pressure increases, the blood flow to the placenta can slow down. That will result in the baby not getting the right amount of oxygen and nutrients.

That said, humidifiers can surely help when it comes to tackling all these issues.

When you use a humidifier during pregnancy, you can ensure that the air has the right amount of moisture to keep you comfortable.

You will not wake up with nasal congestion, dry skin, chappy lips, or lung and nose irritation.

However, the humidifier will not be safe for you during pregnancy if you are not keeping the humidity at the right level or ensuring cleanliness.

Does Humidifier Help Pregnancy Rhinitis?

The symptoms of pregnancy rhinitis are pretty simar to allergenic rhinitis, which is also known as ‘Hay Fever’.

That includes a runny nose, watery eyes, congested nose, and sneezing. As you can see, these symptoms are also common to a common cold.

Nevertheless, pregnancy rhinitis does not associate with a viral or bacterial infection.

Sleeping with a humidifier while pregnant can help to tackle pregnancy rhinitis. The humidifiers will increase the moisture content of the air, which will offer relief from nasal congestion.

That is not all! The right level of moisture in the air can also ensure that your nose or throat does not dry up.

It can even soothe stuffiness. So, with the humidifier on, you will be more comfortable during pregnancy.

What Should Be the Humidity Level of a Room?

The ideal relative humidity for comfort and health is anywhere between 30 percent and 50 percent.

Now, the real question is, what is relative humidity? Well, in short, it is the water vapor present in the air.

And that is not all that you need to know regarding the term.

Relative humidity also considers the air’s temperature and total saturation level.

So, in a broader term, it is the percent moisture present relative to the amount that would be in the air if it was saturated.

That said, all you need to know is the ideal percentage, which is from 30 to 50 percent.

And when it comes to measuring the relative humidity in your room, you can rely on a hygrometer.

It is a simple and cheap device that will allow you to monitor the humidity level closely.

But how do you use the data that you collect from the humidifier?

Well, when the humidity level goes below 30 percent, ramp up the device. On the other hand, when the level goes above 50 percent, turn the humidifier off.

How to Clean the Humidifier?

Humidifiers can be unsafe to use during pregnancy if they are not clean. That is why you need to properly maintain the device.

And when it comes to cleaning the humidifier, you need to follow the following steps –

Prepare the Humidifier for Cleaning

First and foremost, you need to turn off the humidifier. Also, do not leave the cord on the wall. Then, disassemble it completely.

Pour Vinegar into the Tank

Get one to two cups of undiluted white vinegar and pour it into the water tank.

Close the lid and shake the humidifier to make all the surface get in contact with the vinegar.

And if closing the lid and shaking the device is not possible, try your best to swish the vinegar around.

Place the Water Tank into the Base and Leave It for a While

After getting the vinegar in the reservoir, you need to put it back into the base.

Let the vinegar sit there for at least 15 minutes. During this time, the vinegar should drain into the reservoir, where it will do all the required cleaning.

Empty out the Vinegar

After 15 to 20 minutes, get all the vinegar out of the base and the tank.

Before you rinse the system, get yourself a small brush. Use it to scrub all the corners and crevices to get rid of any mineral deposits.

This scrubbing should not take too much effort with the vinegar residue on the surface.

Rinse All the Parts and Reassemble

No matter what, let the vinegar residue sit in the parts of the humidifier. Running the device with vinegar in it will cause irritation.

Not to mention, vinegar in a humidifier can even cause breathing problems.

For that reason, give them a good rinse before you put all the parts together.

Just holding them under running water will do the trick. After that, let the parts sit in the open air to dry up.

When the components dry, put all the parts in place and run the device as you would.

Why Should You Use Vinegar to Clean the Humidifier?

Vinegar is well known for having anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. That means it can effectively kill germs and bacteria.

You will not find these traits in a regular cleaning solution. Therefore, using vinegar to clean the humidifier offers the best overall cleaning results.

However, you should not use vinegar in the water and run the device. The vinegar in the air will irritate your nose, lungs, throat, and eyes.

Also, you might face breathing issues after inhaling vinegar-filled air for a prolonged time.

For that reason, giving the device a good rinse after using vinegar to clean the humidifier is crucial. Do not let any residue of the vinegar stay inside the device.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a humidifier if I’m pregnant?

You can use a humidifier during pregnancy. It will make the indoor air more comfortable and offer you relief from dry air problems and nasal congestion. However, make sure that you are monitoring the relative humidity of the air. Also, ensure that the device is clean.

2. Is Dyson humidifier safe for pregnancy?

The Dyson humidifier is totally safe for use during pregnancy. However, just like any other humidifier, it can cause health issues if you do not keep it clean.

Read More: Do Humidifiers Help With Dust?

Final Words

To conclude, you can safely use humidifiers for pregnancy. But you just have to ensure that the room’s humidity level does not exceed 50 percent and clean the device frequently.

Last Updated on February 4, 2023

Richard Hicks

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