Humidifiers, asthma and allergies

If you or your child has asthma or allergies, talk to your health care provider before you use a humidifier. There are some risks.

Cool-mist humidifiers may ease a child's stuffy nose during a cold. But heated humidified air doesn't seem to have the same result.

Also, mist from a dirty humidifier can trigger or worsen asthma and allergy symptoms. So can the growth of allergens caused by high humidity.