Humidifier dilemma - General Health Message Board

funkyfunk · 11-12-2008, 06:41 PM

This is pretty simple. My roommate at college gets all kinds of dryness problems in the winter (bloody nose, dry skin, lips, etc...). I have pretty bad dust allergies--I take two kinds of prescription medication every day for it year round. He just bought a humidifier for the winter. The problem is, I know that having a humidifier on in our room would be bad for my allergies. Dust mites thrive in humid conditions. In fact, I used to use a de-humidifier at home for this very reason. I just feel conflicted about telling him he has to suffer a winter of dryness for the sake of my allergies. It's a situation where one of us will end up being uncomfortable. We get along great; we chose to live together. Either of us would feel guilty about putting the other in the unfavorable position.

My question: Is there anything I can recommend to my roommate for his dryness that won't affect me in the room? How can we best solve this problem fairly?

flan47 · 11-12-2008, 10:18 PM

the only thing i can think of is tell him that you both should ask for new roommates. you both obviously need different climates in one room and this way he won't feel you went behind his back.
flan

bethsheba · 11-13-2008, 04:36 AM

A certain amount of humidity is good for everyone as it keeps one's nasal passages moist and healthy...but I understand what you are saying.

Have you thought about getting a HEPA air purifier? Dust mites and allergens aren't good for anyone, and my understanding is they've come a long ways with these machines....expensive, in my opinion, but they may be worth the money. You might check with others to see what their experience has been with them.

Bethsheba

wakkochic17 · 11-14-2008, 09:44 AM

I have bad dust allergies as well.. AND suffer from dry sinus problems. I find that the humidifier does not make my allergies worse. On top of having a humidifier, I have a HEPA air filter in the bedroom as well. I recommend getting both. I only run the humidifier at night, not during the day so you can run the HEPA filter any time during the day or at night as well, and then run the humidifier as well. That would probably be your best bet.