Latest news with #Homedics
Health Line
01-07-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Why Bother Buying a Humidifier? 3 Key Benefits — and the Limitations
Key takeaways Experts have long recommended humidifiers to soothe throats and noses, but research on how they affect allergies and skin is mixed. Research has shown that air at around 42% humidity helps kill airborne viruses. We like the Levoit 600S and the Homedics Ultrasonic Humidifier. A quick look at our humidifier picks I count one, two, three humidifiers in my house — one in the main bedroom and one in each of my kids' rooms. I first purchased a humidifier for my son's room when he was a baby, only because it's on every baby registry. It's just what you do, like checking a box on the way to becoming a parent. And I happen to live in a particularly dry climate, even in summer. But I'll never forget being pregnant with my second baby, sick with the worst cough ever, awake at 2 a.m., breathing into a warm, wet washcloth to soothe my throat. It was the definition of miserable. Fed up and desperate for anything that would help, I ordered a humidifier for my bedroom then and there. Overnight Amazon delivery, yes, please. Now, coming off the peak of a particularly hard and insanely disruptive cold and flu season, I'm running out of reasons to procrastinate purchasing another one that can humidify our main living area. But I found myself wondering, 'Are these really doing anything?' So I did some research to find out. The answer — mostly yes. Here's what I learned. It does ward off viruses, and we're starting to understand why Word on the street is that higher humidity levels can make it harder for viruses to survive, and studies are starting to support this theory. A 2018 study examined air samples from preschool classrooms and samples from hard surfaces in the classrooms. Researchers increased the humidity in some rooms but not others. The rooms that were not humidified experienced twice as many flu cases, and humidity levels between 42% and 45% were found to decrease the presence of the influenza virus. More recent research helped explain this, determining that when there is more moisture in the air, it produces hydrogen peroxide compounds, which are antiviral. This means viruses are more likely to be destroyed once exhaled into the air. Now, if your kid picks up the virus at school or your spouse brings it home from work, they may be out of luck. But if your house is humidified correctly (and you disinfect the heck outta every surface), it may help prevent germs from spreading to the rest of your family. It may help relieve allergy symptoms but don't over humidify either In addition to empowering viruses, low humidity can team up with allergens to make you feel more miserable — not ideal. Dry air can further irritate and dry out the nasal passageways and make it more difficult to soothe inflammation caused by dust and allergens. Conversely, raising humidity levels can help soothe the nasal passageways and a sore throat. When nasal tissue is more moist, it can better clear out allergens. But there's a but. Dust mites, which cause allergies, also thrive in moisture. So it's also important not to over humidify and keep levels between 40% and 50%. This will help prevent mold and other bacteria from thriving as well. It might help with dry skin, but it's best alongside other defenses Not surprisingly, if there is less moisture in the air, there is also less moisture in your skin. This is one area where humidifiers allegedly help, but limited research has been able to strongly connect humidifiers to improvements in dry skin. But we do know that low humidity, cold weather, and dry climates tend to breed dry skin. A 2016 review concluded that low humidity is tough on the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to irritation and more vulnerable to atopic dermatitis flare-ups (also known as eczema). So, adding more moisture to your air indoors may give your skin a fighting chance. But don't skip out on gentle exfoliation, lotion, and drinking water. Final verdict While more research is needed, arming your room with a humidifier is one good defense against viruses, especially in the cold winter months when dry air tends to be the weak link between you and getting sick. While not a magic cure-all, it may help reduce the risk of spreading cold, flu, and viruses that cause COVID-19. However, it's also important to clean them properly. As helpful as they can be, their work is undone if bacteria start to grow within them. Then, they may actually become the culprit.
North Wales Live
07-06-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
Review: Homedics Modulair wrist support wrap targets aches and pains
As someone who spends a lot of time on a computer, I inevitably end up using a mouse and typing a lot. A couple of years ago I started having troubles with my wrist, including swelling around my bone. I'm now a convert of the vertical mouse, a game changer if you haven't tried it. That has definitely gone some distance to fixing my bad wrist but when I was offered the chance to take a look at this wrist support wrap from Homedics I coudn't pass it up. I know these inflatable wraps are big business in the footballing world and I was quite intrigued to have a go. It is portable enough to carry around and easily charged via a USB lead. The first thing I will say is to make sure that you are aware that you need to purchase the Modulair controller. You need this for the different Homedics wraps. You can get it packaged with this item if you don't own it already, but just beware that the wrap is sold separately, too. The wrist support works by using compression and heat with five different pressure settings and three for the heating elements. The compression can feel quite intense at first, but it works in rhythmic patterns making sure you are never under pressure for too long at a time. I found I soon got used to it and how stupid I felt, and could sit quite happily with on while watching the TV, it's effectively a really relaxing hand massage. The benefits of the support are gradual, but definitely noticeable. It claims to It claims to 'help to reduce swelling, ease inflammation, improve circulation, relax muscle tension, enhance flexibility, aids relaxation & speeds up recovery'. My wrist isn't so much swollen or inflamed, more of an ache, and almost certainly is arthritic, to a degree. Regular use of this support on my wrist has helped with that as much as it can. I'm always wary of the placebo effect, but I definitely felt some relief during and after using it. I'm no doctor so I can only say that I regularly use this and afterwards my wrist definitely feels easier and it really seems to help after a long day at the computer desk. You can definitely tell that it has increased the blood flow and worked on the area in question. I could probably do with a full body suit version! Homedics Modulair Calf Support Wrap available from £24.99 on Amazon UK, and £59.99 on Amazon UK with the controller What users say Amazon user: I thought just another load of rubbish but then thought it's worth a try, maybe £60 out of pocket but if it works then it's worth the money. I was in a lot of pain with my cartilage, the pain was bad so either pay for an operation or give it a go. It worked, not as much pain but I do use it regularly. I think it's worth the money Amazon user: This provided much-needed relief to my wrist and some of my arm, but the compression on my fingers wasn't as strong. I think the sleeve may be too big for me, but it still worked enough that I would recommend. I probably just need to use it more and figure out how to position it better on me, but I imagine this would work very well for larger hands.
Wales Online
07-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Review: Homedics Modulair wrist support wrap targets aches and pains
Review: Homedics Modulair wrist support wrap targets aches and pains If you spend too many long hours in a job using your hands - this might be just what you need Homedics Modulair wrist support wrap As someone who spends a lot of time on a computer, I inevitably end up using a mouse and typing a lot. A couple of years ago I started having troubles with my wrist, including swelling around my bone. I'm now a convert of the vertical mouse, a game changer if you haven't tried it. That has definitely gone some distance to fixing my bad wrist but when I was offered the chance to take a look at this wrist support wrap from Homedics I coudn't pass it up. I know these inflatable wraps are big business in the footballing world and I was quite intrigued to have a go. It is portable enough to carry around and easily charged via a USB lead. The first thing I will say is to make sure that you are aware that you need to purchase the Modulair controller. You need this for the different Homedics wraps. You can get it packaged with this item if you don't own it already, but just beware that the wrap is sold separately, too. The wrist support works by using compression and heat with five different pressure settings and three for the heating elements. Homedics Modulair wrist support wrap targets aches and pains The compression can feel quite intense at first, but it works in rhythmic patterns making sure you are never under pressure for too long at a time. I found I soon got used to it and how stupid I felt, and could sit quite happily with on while watching the TV, it's effectively a really relaxing hand massage. The benefits of the support are gradual, but definitely noticeable. It claims to It claims to 'help to reduce swelling, ease inflammation, improve circulation, relax muscle tension, enhance flexibility, aids relaxation & speeds up recovery'. My wrist isn't so much swollen or inflamed, more of an ache, and almost certainly is arthritic, to a degree. Regular use of this support on my wrist has helped with that as much as it can. I'm always wary of the placebo effect, but I definitely felt some relief during and after using it. I'm no doctor so I can only say that I regularly use this and afterwards my wrist definitely feels easier and it really seems to help after a long day at the computer desk. You can definitely tell that it has increased the blood flow and worked on the area in question. I could probably do with a full body suit version! Homedics Modulair Calf Support Wrap available from £24.99 on Amazon UK, and £59.99 on Amazon UK with the controller What users say Amazon user: I thought just another load of rubbish but then thought it's worth a try, maybe £60 out of pocket but if it works then it's worth the money. I was in a lot of pain with my cartilage, the pain was bad so either pay for an operation or give it a go. It worked, not as much pain but I do use it regularly. I think it's worth the money Amazon user: This provided much-needed relief to my wrist and some of my arm, but the compression on my fingers wasn't as strong. I think the sleeve may be too big for me, but it still worked enough that I would recommend. I probably just need to use it more and figure out how to position it better on me, but I imagine this would work very well for larger hands. Alternatives Article continues below Comfier Wireless Hand Massager Cordless Wrist Heating Wrap
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Tech review: Homedics MYTI Massage Gun is the perfect tool to tackle my football aches and pain
I never thought the day would come when I started playing middle-aged football. Every Monday night I gather along with a dozen or so men the same age as me and we try to relive our days of Sunday League football and being able to race around pitches like nutters. We still try, of course. These days, though the pace is slower, the injuries are more prevalent, and the recovery time is roughly the next seven days until we try and do it all over again. I have arthritis in my knees and I am carrying too much weight, so it's always hitting me hard by around Wednesday. It's the aching that really gets me, hamstrings and calf muscles can be pretty painful, I've even been known to go up and down the stairs on my hands and knees! With a view to trying anything, I took a look at the Homedics MYTI Mini Massage Gun to see what a bit of DIY muscle repair could do. I'd never used one of these before and was instantly impressed with how small it was, but more importantly how powerful it was. The gun has four different speed settings ranging from a gentle vibration, to the top level which is a pretty vigorous pulsating, hammer effect. I put it straight on my neck on level four, and I quickly learned I needed to read the instructions and take it seriously as my whole head started vibrating with my teeth rattling. You have to be pretty sensible and I quickly opted to start again with level one. There are different attachments that you can fit to the gun, with each one serving a specific purpose. Some of the attachments like the ball attachment are suitable for the full body massage and perfect for hamstrings and calves. You can try the plate attachment if you want to apply heat and target areas with an intense and focused approach. This was really good for helping with the aching muscles, particularly on my hamstring. I've seen a lot of chiropractors in the last 12 months, due to bad posture and too much time with my head down in my laptop. I found that the bullet-shaped attachment was really good for targeting the sharp aches I find in my neck. It was my choice how much I 'attacked' this area, but I found that the stronger the vibration the less tension I had the next day. The power in this device which is charged via cable, is really impressive considering the size of it, it's very compact and would easily fit in a coat pocket or a handbag. The build quality looks brilliant and it's definitely an effective product, particularly at the price range it sits in. I really like it, it's definitely serving a purpose, and once you get used to how it best benefits you, it's a great product. If I was being picky, which I am paid to be, I did find that mine has a bit of a rattle to it, it doesn't affect the performance, but it is mildly annoying. I honestly don't know if that is just mine, I certainly haven't seen any other comments about that issue. Where to buy Available from £79.99 on Amazon UK, the Homedics Website and Argos Reviews Amazon user: Works really well,the heat end doesn't take long to get warm at all about 10 seconds if that,can tell its worked afterwards would definitely recommend worth the money Amazon user: Feels very well made and sturdy, but small enough for my hand to hold for extended sessions. Heated massage head is great. As for results, it has really helped our sore muscles post-exercise and with releasing tension in our bad shoulder/back. Argos user: It could have a nicer feeling to the ball massage attachment if I have to say something negative. A smoother finish would feel better. Alternatives Renpho mini massage gun Theragun Mini
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
These 'game-changer' Apple AirPods have nearly 20% off
These 'game-changer' Apple AirPods have nearly 20% off You can snap up Apple AirPods in a great deal on Amazon You can enjoy a discount on these AirPods (Image: Amazon ) A good pair of earbuds are essential for those on the move everyday or if you need to listen to your favourite podcast in peace. One of the best and highest rated earbuds have been slashed in price on Amazon. The Apple AirPods pro 2 wireless earbuds are now nearly 20% off. In a great price drop of 17% the AirPods are now £189 on Amazon. The earbuds have noise cancellation and the low-distortion, custom-built driver delivers crisp, clear high notes and full, rich bass in stunning definition. The earbuds come with four pairs of silicone tips in extra small, small, medium and large. This means they can fit a wide range of ear shapes and provide all-day comfort. TECH REVIEW: Tech review: Homedics MYTI Massage Gun is the perfect tool to tackle my football aches and pain RARE DEALS: Rare deal stack drops 50% off Yeti tumbler making it £35 cheaper than Stanley rival If you don't fancy AirPods Currys are selling the Sony wf-1000xm5 wireless bluetooth noise-cancelling earbuds for £199. The tips create an acoustic seal to help keep out noise and secure the AirPods in place. Both the AirPods and the charging case are dust, sweat, and water-resistant, so you can listen comfortably in more conditions. Shoppers love these earbuds, one said: "I absolutely love my Apple AirPods Pro 2! These are by far the best wireless earbuds I've ever used. The sound quality is incredible crisp highs, deep lows, and overall a rich, high-fidelity experience." The AirPods have great reviews (Image: Amazon ) For a different option, Argos is selling the Samsung galaxy buds3 pro true wireless earbuds for £219. Another lover of the AirPods, said: "I've been using the AirPods Pro 2 for a few weeks now, and I'm blown away by the improvements Apple has made. As a long-time AirPods fan, I was excited to see what the new Pro 2 model had to offer, and I can confidently say that it's a game-changer." A third said: "If you want excellent sound quality, superior noise cancellation, and deep Apple ecosystem integration, the AirPods Pro 2 are a top choice." And: "The AirPods Pro 2 revolutionize the audio listening on iPhone. Connecting them is easy—pop open the case and they connect automatically. The H2 chip brings active noise cancellation that is just exceptional, blocking out everything from train sounds to office whispers." Another choice is the Beats powerbeats pro 2 true wireless bluetooth in-ear sport headphones from John Lewis for £249. Article continues below One person was not happy with the AirPods, they said: "Unable to accept a return and parcel was damaged and opened with missing parts."
