Can I add something in humidifer

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:05 am

to help with a common cold? It is going through my house between my wife & kids and we are leaving for Florida this Thursday . I am starting to feel an itch in the back of my throat and was wondering if there is anything I can add into the humidifier tank to help me to stop coughing during the night. I have thought about getting a vics vapor rub with the lid off and place it behind the unit (S8 Vantage) where the air intake is but I am not sure if it may be an overkill or if the vapors may damage something internal on my cpap.

Cheers

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:45 am

Don't put anything in the humidifier! It will not be good for you as well as make a mess of the humidifier. Pur Sleep make a kit for putting things in front of the intake that help with sleep. It works very well. I really don't know about putting Vics in front of the intake. I have not tried it but I don't see that it would hurt anything. Maybe some one with more experence than me can give you a better answer.

Jerry

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:51 am

Eating lemons always helps my sore throat - gargle w/salt water too.
Good Luck,
Gumby

eallen · Post by **eallen** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:37 am

I would like to add a note of caution concerning the addition of oil based "additives" to humidifiers for Pap units. Any oil based additive which you inhale over a extended period of time will eventualy cause problems. The human digestive system is capable of handling petrolium based products but the pulmonary system is not. The "cleaning" system of the lung is easily overwhelmed by oils and eventualy it will interfere with gas exchange. The cilia, which sweeps the major airways can and will cease to function when covered with oil molecules. Obviously this takes time to happen, but it will happen.
The passage of these same oil molecules through your machine will also eventualy cause problems in the blower system. Oil molecules will "stick" to areas of the system trapping dust and other particules within the unit. Your filters will help some, but they will also clog due to trapping oil particules.

preemiern · Post by **preemiern** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:01 am

When I start to feel like I am coming down with a cold, I start drinking Airborne every 3 - 4 hours faithfully, and within 24 hours, I feel fine. I have done this several times in the past two years, and it has worked every time for me. Walmart has thebest price on it. also, do not get the generic Walmart brand...I always get the name brand stuff. I also have put a little dab of Vicks on a paper towel and put it by the air intake. It helps and it has not hurt my machine. Good luck!!
Cindy

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:03 am

Double check the warning labels on the Vicks product. Camphor can be very harmful if absorbed into the body. This is especially the case for children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

It is also very harmful to the eyes. Vapors from leaks in your mask could get in your eyes.

I agree with eallen.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 12:17 pm

NO NO NO!!!!

You CAN, however, add some scent OUTSIDE your machine, that you will breathe and enjoy.

pur-sleep.com

Cheers,
Babs

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:27 pm

Anonymous wrote:NO NO NO!!!!

You CAN, however, add some scent OUTSIDE your machine, that you will breathe and enjoy.

pur-sleep.com

Cheers,
Babs

Babs, thanks for the note - I forgot to add - I do use pur-sleep (Deep is my favorite because I sleep best - and orange creme for my favorite scent) and it really improves the quality of my XPAP experience.

goose · Post by **goose** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:52 pm

NEVER. NEVER. NEVER....let me say that again....NEVER. NEVER. NEVER put anything but water in your humidifier!!!!!

Anything with a petroleum base (IE. Vicks) will cause issues with the pulmonary system as eallen has said. I don't recall the exact name for it, but there is a type of pneumonia that is caused by petroleum products that is extremely difficult to cure because of the nature of the irritant.
Remember. Anything that goes into the humidifier will be atomized and blown directly into your lungs.

Contact the Sleep Guy or find http://www.pur-sleep.com for aroma therapy devices and materials....I've been using them for months and love it.
There are better remedies for congestion and stuffyness!!!!

Just my $.02.....

take care
cheers
goose

KansasRT · Post by **KansasRT** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:06 am

With Vick's products you have to be careful because most are a petroleum based product. I understand the urge , but I would resist putting anything in your humidifier. Most products are petroluem or oil based and will leave a greasy film on the plastic.

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