Do Humidifiers Help With a Cough?

There are few things more annoying and exhausting than dealing with a persistent cough. Not only does it drive you crazy, but an ongoing cough can also start to impact your work and relationships if you don’t address it head-on.

With so many over-the-counter medications designed to suppress coughs and clear up mucous, most of us are accustomed to just popping a pill or lozenge to get relief. But there’s an underrated and highly effective way to combat coughs at home: a cool mist humidifier.

Here is how the right humidifier can help alleviate your cough, and some tips to make the most of these appliances to stay healthy and happy at home.

Hydration and Healing

Most coughs are caused by a viral or bacterial infection that leads to mucus buildup in the chest. Our bodies want to get rid of that nasty gunk and speed recovery, so we forcibly expel the stuff by coughing repeatedly until it’s gone.

It’s an effective mechanism, but coughing also does a number on our bodies, leaving us tired and causing pain and irritation over time.

A cool mist humidifier pumps water vapor into the air at a steady rate, hydrating the membranes of your nose, mouth, throat, while giving your lungs the soothing relief they need to do their job.

We’ve all had a dry and “unproductive” cough that feels like a nightmare, and by keeping your home at around 45% humidity, you can tackle this problem at the root.

Clean, Cooling Relief

Many humidifiers disperse warm water vapor into the air, which may not be the most helpful when trying to soothe a stubborn cough. By far, the best humidifier for cough relief uses cool mist technology to optimize air moisture at the ideal temperature.

Cooler vapors are far better for a congested and inflamed chest that needs lasting relief and are also safer for pets and kids. Even during the dead of winter when cold, dry air dominates, a cool mist is going to work wonders on your internals while you stay cozy on the couch.

Aromatherapy Extras

Water vapor on its own can be a powerful tool to combat a dry chest cough, but adding a bit of essential oil to the mix will take your relief to the next level while turning your home into a calming sanctuary.

Whether you opt for lavender, peppermint, tea tree oil, or any other natural remedy, your humidifier should come equipped with a specialized tray to diffuse these formulas to accelerate your recovery.

Do a bit of online research and see what essential oils are best for your needs.

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

Coughs always seem to worsen at the least opportune moments, especially when trying to fall asleep. The moments leading up to a good night’s rest need to be calm, quiet, and relaxed, instead of being ruined by long fits of coughing.

With a cool mist humidifier in your bedroom, you can get all of the hydrating relief of ideal air moisture levels and enjoy the calming flow of the vapors as your drift off to dreamland without disturbance.

Find a humidifier unit that runs quietly and comes standard with a large water tank, so that you don’t have to wake up in the middle of the night for a refill. Remember to keep the humidifier at least three feet away from your bed to let the vapor fully circulate throughout the room.

Conclusion

We all deal with a tough cough now and then but don’t leave your comfort and recovery up to chance. Find a cool mist humidifier that checks all the boxes and delivers real relief so you can get back in the game of life.