Humidifier vs. Dehumidifier?

I came across this comment on youtube when researching congested cats.

"Humidity may help with allergy or virus related issues, but sinusitis from an bacterial infection might get worse with more moisture- it allows easier biofilm formation. [Cooled boiled distilled] water with some pure sea salt (10:1 or higher ratio) dropped into the nose is better in the latter case. *by dropped, I mean a few drops in each nostril- more can cause drainage into the lungs, potential pneumonia, etc" by one of the users.

Does anyone know any more about this?

I always thought a humidifier was used to keep the air at a normal humidity instead of dry. It helps during cold weather when the heat is on. 

It also help when some one is sick with a cold. You would use a room humidifier in that case. There is a difference between warm and cold humidification. The warm mist used to be popular, like a vaporizer. It was found that warm mist can very easily harbor mold spores. 

Now, the cold humidifiers are used. They are a bit safer, but need to be scrupulously scrubbed and dosed with a bleach solution and air dried, weekly.. 

Mold can still form in them.

A de-humidifier is used when the air is too moist. If it feels damp as in a cellar, than a de-humifier is used to draw out the moisture, to keep it dryer so that mold does not form.

I had used a humidifier for years. I started with the warm mist and then went to the cool. I always got sick during the winter. I felt that they really did help, but was a pain to clean. 

The humidification really helped my sinuses. 

As far as cats are concerned, I think people are suggesting to keep the cat in the bathroom with the shower running warm-hot. It helps them with congestion.

Hope this helps... at this time of night I really get rambling...It is almost my bedtime and I am yawning...

catonetwo said:

 
I came across this comment on youtube when researching congested cats.

"Humidity may help with allergy or virus related issues, but sinusitis from an bacterial infection might get worse with more moisture- it allows easier biofilm formation. [Cooled boiled distilled] water with some pure sea salt (10:1 or higher ratio) dropped into the nose is better in the latter case. *by dropped, I mean a few drops in each nostril- more can cause drainage into the lungs, potential pneumonia, etc" by one of the users.

Does anyone know any more about this?

Click to expand...

This makes sense to me. The trick is knowing whether your cat's congestion is viral or bacterial. Your vet should be able to tell you and advise on the use of the humidifier. If the congestion is in his lungs, I wouldn't use the humidifier, as I think it could make the situation worse.