If you have sinus problems, you have probably heard about the benefits of running a humidifier. They add moisture to the air, reducing nasal congestion. But sinus sufferers with children, or those who have children with sinus problems, are often hesitant to use them due to the heat produced. The hot water, and the unit itself, can cause burns if children touch or bump into them.

Cool mist humidifiers eliminate this problem. They add moisture to the air without producing heat, making them safe for use around kids. And they also provide a number of other benefits. These include:

* Cool mist humidifiers can cover a larger area than warm mist humidifiers. Instead of providing enough vapor for a single room, many of them can cover several rooms, or even an entire house. This is good if you have more than one person in the home who has frequent sinus congestion.

* A cool mist humidifier is often easier to clean than a steam humidifier. Frequent cleaning is important, but in most cases each cleaning only takes a few minutes.

* Cool mist humidifiers do not heat the areas in which they are used. Steam humidifiers tend to make rooms warmer. That is not necessarily a bad thing when you live in a cool climate, but if it’s already warm in the house, it can make it rather uncomfortable. Cool mist humidifiers allow more control over the room temperature.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers

One drawback of cool mist humidifiers is that they may disperse bacteria and mold that are present in the water used. It is essential to keep them clean, and you may need to use distilled water in them if your water has large amounts of minerals in it. But there are ultrasonic humidifiers that produce water vapor without heat while killing the harmful substances in the water.

Ultrasonic cool mist humidifiers work by producing ultrasonic vibrations in the water. This creates water vapor and kills bacteria and mold at the same time. They do, however, cost more than a regular cool mist humidifier. They also do little to remove minerals, so it may still be advisable to use distilled water in them. But if there are people in your home who have allergies, an ultrasonic humidifier can be of great benefit to them.

A humidifier can allow sinus sufferers to breathe freely and reduce their need for medication. If you want to try one but are apprehensive about using a unit that produces heat, a cool mist humidifier may be for you. They can humidify large areas without creating a hazard for small children or raising the ambient temperature in your home. And if allergies are a concern, an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier can reduce the allergens present in the water used.