Eczema, derived from the Greek word “ekzein,” which means “to boil,” is a chronic skin ailment where patches of skin become red, itchy, swollen, inflamed and scaly. As per the nationaleczema.org, more than 30 million people in the U.S. are affected by Eczema, while in the U.K., one in five children and one in twelve adults have Eczema.
Eczema commonly develops in infants, while most children have a substantial improvement in their condition as they grow up, however, in some cases, severe Eczema persists into adulthood. The specific cause of Eczema has remained unknown. It is generally triggered by a combination of genetic and environmental factors such as Irritants (soap, shampoos, detergents), allergens (pollen, mold, dust mites), extreme temperatures, and food products (nuts, dairy products).
Type of Eczema:
ATOPIC DERMATITIS
Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common forms of Eczema. Symptoms of AD appear as red, itchy rash generally on the cheeks, arms, and legs. As per the nationaleczema.org, more than 18 million American adults suffer from AD. While it typically begins in early childhood, it is also severe and long-lasting.
CONTACT DERMATITIS
Contact dermatitis is generally caused by irritants such as solvents and chemicals – while it can also trigger after coming in contact with allergens such as pollen, wool, or anything that the immune system recognizes as foreign. The symptoms do not always appear immediately and may flare up within a few hours, and generally appears on hand or the body part touched by the foreign irritant.
DYSHIDROTIC ECZEMA
Dyshidrotic Eczema is generally triggered by coming in contact with certain allergens or nickel, cobalt or chromium salts. Characterized by blisters, Dyshidrotic Eczema appears on the edge of your toes, fingers, palms, or soles of your feet. The symptoms are the same, with the addition of blisters and flaking.
NUMMULAR ECZEMA
Nummular Eczema manifests itself slightly differently compared to other Eczema. Instead of itching and developing redness all over the place – skin appears to have round-shaped lesions that are crusty, scaly, and itchy. Generally, this Eczema is somewhat challenging to treat – and worsens if the air is dry and cold.
SEBORRHEIC DERMATITIS
Seborrheic dermatitis, known as dandruff in adults and “cradle cap” in babies, is a common skin condition that causes an itchy rash, greasy skin covered with flaky white or yellow scales, dandruff on scalp and eyebrows. It generally affects the scalp; however, it can also appear in oily areas of the body, such as the face, upper chest, and back. Stress, hormones, Malassezia, a fungus present on the skin in small numbers certain medical conditions and medicines, and cold and dry weather are some of the common causes.
STASIS DERMATITIS
Stasis dermatitis, also known as varicose Eczema, is a skin disorder that can occur in people with poor blood circulation. It usually affects the lower legs, as blood is generally collected there, resulting in increased pressure on veins. This pressure leads vessels to break, leaking fluids into your skin. Symptoms of stasis dermatitis include swelling around the ankles, itchy and reddish skin, scaling, and pain.
How Humidifier Helps People Suffering from Eczema
Eczema is not fully curable, and the treatment primarily focuses on healing damaged skin and alleviating symptoms or prevent them from manifesting.
People suffering from Eczema recognize the value of moisture in battling this condition. The topmost protective layer of skin – also known as the skin barrier, helps keep irritants and allergens out and moisture in. People suffering from Eczema mostly have drier-than-normal skin, primarily due to the imbalance in the skin barrier. When the skin becomes too dry, it can lead Eczema to flare-up.
Wind, low humidity, cold temperatures, harsh solvents in soaps and shampoos, and not using a moisturizer after bathing may lead to dry skin. When you’re going through a “flaring episode,” your skin becomes very sensitive to everything – even to the air that touches it. If there is low humidity, it can cause your skin to dry up, which will then exacerbate your symptoms. A humidifier assists by increasing the moisture in the air and replenishing the lost moisture from your skin — just like wet wraps.
By adding the right level of humidity into the atmosphere, a humidifier provides the right conditions for your skin to heal itself. Humidifier also helps in keeping allergens and other viruses at bay. People suffering from Eczema should keep the humidifier setting between 30 to 50. Lower than the recommended humidity will not aid in the healing process, while a higher amount of moisture may promote mold and bacteria growth.
What to Consider When Choosing a Humidifier for Eczema:
Generally, as long as they humidify the air, all types of humidifiers should be effective in treating eczema, however, there are a few things to consider before buying a humidifier:
Type of humidifier
Warm mist humidifiers boil water and then release its steam into the air, moisturizing the air. These units should be cleaned frequently; otherwise, they carry the risk of becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
Evaporative Humidifiers release cool mist, making them ideal for sinus problems. These units feature a filter to capture dust and bacteria, however, they have to be cleaned frequently; failure to do so may result in water in the tank becoming stagnant – and the gathered bacteria may cause your condition to flare up.
Ultrasonic humidifiers use frequency vibrations to produce a fine mist that spreads throughout the room. Ultrasonic humidifiers allow you to choose between cold or warm mist, depending on the season that you are using it in.
Coverage
When purchasing a humidifier, ensure that it is capable of covering the intended use of place – whether it is the living room, bedroom, or your entire home. Also, a larger water reservoir will provide moisturization for an extended period; else, refilling becomes a chore.
Budget-Friendly
While there are multiple options available in the market, it is critical to identify the exact requirements and a gross budget for the same. Buying an expensive humidifier that comes packed with features that you may not even use regularly is just a waste of money.
Maintenance
Some humidifiers require high maintenance, such as filters, which need to be replaced every couple of months. It is essential to choose a humidifier that is easy to clean because you need to be cleaning it regularly.
Best Humidifiers for Eczema
1. Everlasting Comfort:
Everlasting Comfort’s Ultrasonic humidifier boasts a powerful mist output of up to 270 ml/hr, and can last for six nights without needing a refill! Featuring a 6 liter (1.6gallon) tank, the machine can easily humidify rooms of up to 500 sq. ft. The humidifier comes with 360 degrees adjustable nozzle and a steam output knob that allows you to control the mist output as per your preference.
Everlasting Comfort claims that the Ultrasonic Humidifier can decrease the risk of illness, germs, and bacteria by keeping the moisture above 43% in the room –the suggested humidity level for a healthy environment.
Everlast eliminates the need for a filter, and the device is capable of running with tap water, making it both economical and more sustainable as it doesn’t require replacing costly filters frequently. However, using tap water will require regular cleaning, as mineral deposits may form in the water tank. You can easily clean the humidifier with soap and water or use distilled water.
The top of the Everlast humidifier features a compartment where you can add essential oils. The cooling mist air humidifier fan then circulates the oils into the mist, giving you a clean, pure, and fresh smelling aroma to aid your skin treatment.
The humidifier is designed with an auto shut-off feature that will automatically turn off the device when it runs out of the water, ensuring your safety and preventing any damage to the machine. This multi-function model is small enough to place on a nightstand.
As with other Ultrasonic humidifiers, the unit also transfers a white film to the furniture around the humidifier. This issue is preventable by using distilled water in the humidifier.
Pros
- Economical and Sustainable
- Does not require a water filter
- Auto-Shutdown Feature
- High Mist output
- Longer run time
Cons
- Durability is questionable
- Difficult to refill
Why buy this unit: The Everlasting Comfort Ultrasonic Humidifier packs incredible power for its small design and is whisper quiet. Throw in the oil diffuser that works just as well, and this humidifier is an excellent bargain for your budget.
2. Honeywell HCM350W:
The HCM350W comes from the house of the well-trusted brand Honeywell.
HCM350W works on the patented Ultra-Violet light technology that can remove up to 99.9% of all microbes in the water. Firstly, untreated tap water flows from the device’s water tank into the UV water path, where the ultraviolet light kills the contaminants present in the water. This treated water then enters the base where the antimicrobial filter absorbs it. The device draws the dry indoor air, and a 99.9% germ-free fine visible mist is released back in the room. The Protec Antimicrobial filter ensures that no mold growth takes place inside.
HCM350W comes with an adjustable control unit that allows you to keep the flow of mist as per your preference. The humidifier’s one-gallon tank can provide humidity for continuous 24 hours before requiring a refill and is ideal for medium-sized rooms. The machine can be used with tap water, keeping costs low. A 3-year limited warranty also covers this low maintenance unit. The compact device is easy to clean and portable.
HCM350W includes a cleaning ball that can be used to clean the inside of the humidifier with an exclusive mop, and it also contains a replacement filter.
Pros
- UV and Protec Antimicrobial treatment
- Easy to carry, clean and refill
- Compact and portable design
- Hushed operation
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Only one mode
Why buy this unit: Honeywell’s HCM350W is a competent machine providing a germ-free environment for relief with your Eczema. The mobile unit can be easily cleaned and is capable of running on tap water.
3. Pure Enrichment MistAire Silver:
Pure Enrichment’s pear-shaped MistAire Silver humidifier uses Ultrasonic Cool mist technology to humidify space up to 250 sq. ft and is capable of providing 25 hours of continuous operation.
The MistAire Silver features a 360-degree rotating nozzle, which makes it easier to adjust mist direction and evenly distribute mist throughout the room, and also offers multi-speed settings to fit your comfort level. With a noise level of less than 32 dB, the device is whisper-quiet when running or when the unit is turned on/off (ideal for babies), allowing you to keep it switched on in the night without disturbing sleep. The humidifier shuts down automatically when the water level is low.
The sleek 1.5-liter water tank MistAire Silver can release 2 ounces of a fine mist for 25 hours on the low setting, while on the high setting, the humidifier emits a cool mist at a 4-ounce-per-hour rate for 12 hours. The device is easy to assemble and disassemble for daily refills.
Pros:
- Wide coverage area
- Large tank size
- Longer runtime
- Sleek, modern, and discreet appearance
Cons:
- Difficult to clean
Why buy this unit: The MistAire Silvercan offers excellent quality at a reasonable price, and is very easy to set up and operate. The product is aesthetically designed and is small enough to fit well in the nightstand.
4. Pure Guardian H5450BCA:
With a tall blue chamber encasing the water, the Pure Guardian H5450BCA immediately stands out from the crowd. Using a metal diaphragm vibrating at high frequency, ultrasonic humidifier comes with a two-gallon tank that is capable of covering areas up to 380 sq. ft. rooms and runs up to a staggering 100 hours before requiring a refill.
The H5450BCA is equipped with Silver Clean Protection, which is embedded in the humidifier tank to fight mold and mildew growth on the water tank surface. The unit also features UV-C Light that reduces germs to emit a cleaner mist.
The Pure Guardian features a night light, 12-hour timer, and 3-speed settings, multi-directional mist. The unit shuts down automatically when the tank is empty, while low water indicator light illuminates when it’s time to refill the tank. Additionally, the humidifier also has an Aromatherapy tray for essential oils. H5450BCA provides whisper-quiet operation and is even capable of self-cleaning.
Pros
- 100 hours run time
- Aromatherapy
- Silver Clean Protection
Cons
- Can be challenging to refill
Eczemas are very annoying – which is why you want to avoid them as much as possible. If you are using the humidifier to treat Eczema, the unit should be kept clean to keep the allergens at bay. Aside from resolving eczema symptoms, humidifiers can make a big difference in your quality of life around the home.
Just a disclaimer, though, humidifiers are just a mechanism to provide relief to people suffering from Eczema. Using humidifiers does not mean you should stop using creams and steroids. When in doubt, always consult your medical attendant.