Need Some Help - El Paso,TX

Cool mist humidifier is what we use in the hospital. B/c of the climate you are in, would only recommend this. Heat can sometimes aggravate certain conditions.

Must be diligent in keeping it clean. Change out water (look at box for instructions on type of water...we use sterile) Read and follow cleaning directions to the letter.

Cool mist humidifiers are better because they are less likely to dry out the nasal passages and skin, lips....etc.
Sometimes people get very overheated with the vaporizer, too and sleep less.
You want to put moisture in the air at night while she sleeps and that helps decongest the air passages.

i have read that warm mist is better, as hot helps grow germs and i am not sure why for cold. hope this helps

I've always been told to run a cool mist humidifier.

I had to learn this quick before my son turned two years old as he developed a form of asthmatic croup that had us calling the ambulance and running to emergency room frequently. His throat would close suddenly in an allergic reaction and emergency help was the only help. We almost lost him a few times, and even doctors whose children experienced the same thing had no helpful answers for me. What they recommended simply did not work and I had to develop my own solutions, which they have recently begun to recommend for this condition. Anyway, the answer to your question is a vaporizer produces hot steam and a humidifier cool moisture in the air. If your child has a cold you may want to check out the hot steam method before purchasing by taking you child into a steamy hot bathroom first, you'll know immediately if it helps or not. Just turn your shower on hot full blast for five minutes with the bathroom door closed, then take your child in for a few minutes and observe. If she doesn't respond well in five or ten minutes you'll have your answer regarding vaporizers and steamy hot/warm moisture. Then you can try a humidifier.... but I highly recommend one that has the ability to self regulate the amount of moisture it puts out and also one that has high levels of filtration. Why? Because the use of moist cool air can promote the growth of unpleasant things like fungus, mold, certain bacteria, etc. That would only aggravate your daughters problems more and could be dangerous in the long run. Also, I used only purified water in mine to avoid mineral and other chemical build up in the humidifier. I hope your little one is better soon.

Hi mama-

We have both in our house (and need to get at least one more of each now that the kiddies are in seperate rooms...).

A vaporizer is typically hot steam and a menthal vapor concentrate can be added. My family has always trusted Vixs and that is the brand I purchased. I use the generic vapor concentrate from CVS. We use it when the kid's have colds, congestion and stuffy noses. The warm moisture loosens things up more (in my opinion) and the vapors help tremendously. Things seem to drain easier. A few nights with this running and the kids are usually good to go. I also still use the rub directly on the chest - when they are old enough (last winter our son was about 3 months and too young for the rub). My only complaint is needing to change the water solution daily when in use. For some reason, the vaporizer turns the water "black". I think it is more esthetics than hygiene.

A humidifier puts moisture into the air too but I think the purpose is different. It prevents dehydration versus being medicinal in nature. The human body has an optimal moisture range in which it functions and a humidifier helps achive that in the air you breathe. IMO, I think the cool mists work best. It seems to be absorbed by the dry air faster. I also like the sonic units better than the ones with filters - the filters have been too much work! We have forced air and totally would not sleep without a humidifier (unless of course we are using the vaporizer since I use it too if needed...)

Hope this helps.
~C.

the vicks vaporizer worked wonders when my little ones has a cold. It is cheap you can buy it at walmart and helps them become more confortable. The vicks solution works all night. Good luck

When my son was younger I read COOL MIST would be best. I got the cheapest thing I could find that said cool mist. I think I got a humidifier, but I think Humidifier and Vaporizer are the same thing??? As long as you put water in and it makes a cool 'steam' or otherwise puts moisture into the air, should help.

Also - hold your daughter and take a warm shower. Close the door so that you can get a lot of good steam in the room. The steam and moisture in the air will help loosen up the phlem and mucus that is keeping her congested.

either will work basically the same thing