FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Don't Suffer the Dryness: How to Choose a Humidifier

FitSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:30:00 -0800

Now that it's getting chilly outside, many of us are cranking up the heat to stay cozy. While it's pleasantly warm, all that heat can be drying, and you may to wake up with a sore throat, stuffy nose, and congested sinuses. A humidifier can help alleviate those symptoms by putting moisture back into the air, and running one can also help you breathe easier if you have a cold.

So how do you choose one? It all depends on what kind of moisture you want in the air: cool or warm. Want to see how these two kinds of humidifiers compare? Then

Humidifier - That's Wee NOT Wii

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 03:00:00 -0800

I love using a humidifier in the winter to combat dry, itchy skin. It also helps with my allergies and asthma.

But I absolutely hate cleaning it out. Have you looked inside yours lately? There is some nasty brown gunky stuff that collects in it, and there's no way to clean the container that the water goes in because the opening is so darn small.

I found a solution. The Wee Humidifier. It uses a fresh new bottle of spring water every time, so no need to worry about cleaning it out - just replace it when you're done.

Plus it's compact, so you don't need to take up a ton of space in your bedroom. And it's cheap too - less than $20, well at least if you live in Japan.

Want to see more pictures of the Wee? Then

Cool Vaporizers Are Not Hot, But They Are Cool

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 03:30:00 -0800

Unfortunately, we are right in the middle of cold season and at this point, we're desperately looking for anything that will help ease a nasty cold.

Increasing the air moisture is a common way to help you (or your child) feel better when congested -- The added moisture in the air can relieve symptoms such as sore throat and congestion. A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier is preferred over a warm mist one because of the risk of your child (or someone else's child) getting accidentally burned by the outflow of hot steam.

The problem is that a cool mist vaporizer or humidifier gets dirty faster because the heat (in a hot vaporizer) kills mold and germs gathering in the vaporizer. To avoid this, clean your cool mist vaporizer frequently (at least once a week) to deter growth of bacteria and other pathogens.

Fit's Tip: I like Vicks Natural Mist Humidifier ($32.84) because it is quiet and has a wicking filter with built-in bactericide, which helps ward off germs. Buy one on Walmart.com.