Tips for managing asthma:
My inhaler helps when I can't breathe very well. I would love an air purifier. I think that would help me too. I do use a humidifier, every night while I sleep and that helps a little.
Hi
, and thanks for sharing this with the community. I hear you and, I get it too! For many of us with an asthma diagnosis, using metered dose inhalers (MDI's) can help with our breathing.
I think you have a good idea, many folks derive a great benefit from using an air purifier. In fact, I noticed that during (and after) the pandemic, many doctor's offices put air purifiers in place. I, for one, really appreciated that addition to the office.
I thought, at this point, you might find it helpful to look over this material which focuses on both air purifiers and humidifiers: https://asthma.net/living/air-purifiers-vs-humidifiers. The author is our very own. I do hope you find the information provides with with some additional insight.
All the best,
Leon L (author/moderator asthma.net)
- these two items are definitely on my list as well. My inhaler is always at an arm's length away, and the air purifier is turned on low. It definitely keeps the dust, animal mites, and allergens at bay in my daily environment. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you the best of the holiday season. Rebecca (community moderator) 
Hi
There are a lot of air purifiers on the market, it can be hard to know what to get. There are large and small, expensive and less expensive. You can search "best air purifiers" and find some good recommendations (make sure the results aren't sponsored by an air purifier company!) It helps to check the air purifier and see what size area it will cover. I have a small one on my desk, and a large one in my bedroom and family room.
For humidifiers - they can sometimes do more harm than good. My asthma specialist told me to make sure I am keeping the tank of the humidifier VERY clean, otherwise it can build up an orange colored slime that can be harmful when we breathe it in. He asked if I was willing to wash out the tank with hot sudsy water every day to keep it clean? I told him no, so I learned about small, personal humidifiers from another Dr. The water is kept in an upside down water bottle (instead of a big tank.) I dump out the water bottle every day, as well as the small amount of water that stays in the base of the humidifier. I let it air dry until I fill it up again at night. I have no financial tie with this company and do not receive any money for recommending this - it's just the one I have used for the last few years:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Homedics-Total-Comfort-Portable-Travel-Ultrasonic-Humidifier-9-Hour-Runtime-Uses-Standard-Water-Bottles-54-sq-ft-coverage-area/186874341?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=12988
Good luck!
Andrea M. Jensen, CHES, AE-C
Certified Asthma Educator
this would be an asset for me. I really need a humidifier in the winter, but I hate seeing the crud build up on the bottom of mine. I wonder if I would get the benefits if I put it on my bedroom dresser for use overnight. Thanks for sharing this idea of using a smaller one! Happy holidays to you and your family. -Melissa, asthma team
Try it out!
I use a small bedside humidifier year round. Our primary bedroom is on an upper floor and very hot - which means I need AC, a window AC unit plus a ceiling fan. That dries out my throat and lungs
I also use it in winter when the furnace comes on and dries out my throat and lungs. The small unit I use is on my night stand every night.
Then I dump out the water every morning and let all of the parts air dry before reassembling at night
Good luck!
Andrea
