Use of a cold mist humidifier may be suggested for patients with very bad phlegm, nasal congestion, allergies, and sore throats. A humidifier is a tool used to enhance moisture levels in the air. A higher air humidity level helps facilitate breathing, break up and thin phlegm, lessen congestion, and minimise stuffiness. Home humidifiers come in both warm mist and cool mist varieties. Although they are both equally effective, cool mist humidifiers are usually recommended for safety reasons, and doctors advise only using cool mist humidifiers for children.

These tools lessen the potential burn risks that warm mist humidifiers may present. People should take care to clean their at-home humidifiers on a regular basis to prevent mineral buildup and the development of harmful bacteria and moulds.