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  • With Mayo Clinic emeritus consultant

    Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.

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Question

Warm-mist vs. cool-mist humidifier: Which is better for a cold?

When should I use a cool-mist humidifier vs. a warm-mist humidifier for a child with a cold?

Answer

from Jay L. Hoecker, M.D.

For their safety, always use cool-mist humidifiers for children. Hot water or steam from a warm-mist humidifier or steam vaporizer can burn a child if he or she gets too close.

Humidifiers add moisture to the air, which helps ease coughing and congestion due to a cold. Warm-mist and cool-mist humidifiers are equally effective in humidifying the air. Also, by the time the water vapor reaches your child's lower airways, it's the same temperature regardless of whether it started out warm or cool.

Another benefit of cool-mist humidifiers is cost. Cool-mist humidifiers are less expensive than are warm-mist humidifiers because you're not paying for the heating element. You may also pay less in energy costs. If you use a humidifier, be sure to keep it clean to prevent the growth of bacteria and molds. Wiping down the humidifier daily with a 10 percent bleach solution — 9 parts water to 1 part bleach — is one way to safely keep it clean.

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References
  1. Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illness in children and adults. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/respiratory_illness_in_children_and_adults__guideline_/respiratory_illness_in_children_and_adults__guideline__13116.html. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.
  2. Buying a humidifier for baby? Keep it clean. Consumer Reports. http://blogs.consumerreports.org/baby/2008/11/buying-a-humidi.html. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.
  3. Use and care of home humidifiers. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/humidif.html. Accessed Aug. 27, 2010.
  4. Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 30, 2010.
AN01577 Oct. 21, 2010

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