Different Respiratory Aids Available to Use at Home

For those with a respiratory condition, at-home respiratory equipment can play an important part in helping to reduce the severity of a flare-up, but it can also make it easier to manage your symptoms long-term and greatly improve your daily living. 

Nebulisers, vaporisers, humidifiers, and other aids can all be used to provide fast and effective relief for a wide range of respiratory conditions, from chronic conditions such as asthma to acute conditions such as a cold or flu. 

Amcal stock a diverse range of respiratory aids that can help you or your child find relief from coughs, congestion, inflammation, and more. We have warm steam vaporisers and cool mist humidifiers by Vicks, Taav, and Medescan to increase humidity and ease irritated airways, blocked noses, and dry skin. Place a few drops of Vicks VapoSteam inhalant into your vaporiser for maximum benefits. 

We also have nebuliser kits and accessories for kids and adults to help you get your respiratory medication into your lungs quickly and effectively. Shop portable nebulisers by Breath-A-Tech for oxygen therapy on-the-go, nebuliser compressor systems by Phillips, and the Allersearch Econ-o-mist with tubing, bowl, and mask included. You can find individual accessories to go with your nebuliser kits too, such as adult, child, and baby mask sets, spacers, mouthpieces, and filters.

 Humidifiers, Nebulisers, and Vaporisers Explained

Vaporisers and humidifiers work by raising the humidity levels in a room to eliminate the dryness in the air that can cause irritation to our airways. This can include dry and bloody noses, dry throats, dry skin, chapped lips, allergies, coughs, and congestion. Vaporisers use electricity and an internal heating system to boil water and release it as a warm vapour. Humidifiers can use evaporative or ultrasonic technologies to transform cold water into a super-fine cool mist that is then inhaled.

Moist air can benefit the body in many ways, including soothing the airways and helping to break down mucus in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs so that it can be coughed up or out more easily.

Nebulisers are a machine that is used to turn liquid medication into a vapour by pumping pressurised air through the liquid and turning it into a fine mist. This mist can then be inhaled through a mouthpiece or face mask where it can travel directly to the lungs and provide fast relief for inflammation. Nebulisers are particularly useful for children who have trouble using puffers as it increases the amount of medication that reaches the lungs.

Common Medical Conditions Our Respiratory Aids Can Assist With

There are many acute and chronic conditions that can be relieved and managed with the use of our respiratory aids. For nebulisers, these include:

• Allergies
• Sinusitis
• Croup
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia
• Lung disease

Humidifiers and vaporisers can be used to alleviate a wide range of conditions that are made worse by dry air. These include:

• Dry skin
• Sinus congestion
• Sinus headaches
• Dry throat
• Dry or bloody nose
• Dry cough
• Cracked lips
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Dry eyes

Respiratory Aids for Cold, Flu, and Congestion

During the winter months, the prevalence of cold air can make breathing with a cold or flu even more difficult. A humidifier or vaporiser can help to add moisture to the air and provide relief for a range of cold and flu symptoms, including blocked noses, dry throats, and chest congestion. The humidity can break down and thin mucus in the bronchial tubes, making it easier to cough up and remove from the body. It can also soothe nasal congestion naturally by providing moisture to the nasal passages and loosening up mucus secretions so that you can blow them out.

Aids Available for Children and Babies

We have a range of nebulisers, humidifiers, and vaporisers available at Amcal to ease respiratory symptoms and help your little one sleep comfortably through the night. The Medescan Rainbow Mist Humidifier uses ultrasonic technology to quietly disperse a room-temperature mist through the air and relieve dry noses, coughs, and congestion in kids and babies. You can also find warm vaporisers by Vicks with safety features and automatic shut-off for relieving cold and flu symptoms in little ones.

If your child needs a nebuliser, we have face mask kits for kids by Allersearch, Able, and Phillips, as well as an Ecomed Breathe Eazy Spacer and Mask kit for babies with a silicone base to mold to all puffers and a cartoon mask. 

Treating Croup in Babies

Humidifiers can be an effective way of relieving croup cough in babies. The moist air can help to reduce inflammation in the trachea which can alleviate coughing. They can also be used to keep a baby's nostrils moisturised and clear, as well as reduce congestion when they lie on their backs which can lead to reflux and spitting up.

Accessories You May Require with Your Aid

When using a nebuliser, you'll need a number of other accessories to make them work and ensure you are getting the most benefit out of them. Amcal sells nebuliser kits which include all of the essentials, such as nebuliser bowl, tubing, and face mask. You can shop Allersearch Econ-o-Mist Forte Nebuliser with tubing, jet nebuliser bowl, and face mask for adults or children. You can also find Able Actineb Mini Nebuliser, Phillips Respironics InnoSpire Elegance, and Breath-A-Tech portable nebuliser for travelling with everything included

If you need individual accessories or replacements, you can pick one up from our range of:

• Spacers
• Mouthpieces
• Face masks 
• Nebuliser bowls
• Filters

Maintaining and Cleaning Your Respiratory Aid

Keeping your respiratory aid clean and free from bacterial contamination is essential for healthy breathing and to prevent respiratory conditions from getting worse. Nebuliser parts are reusable but will need to be replaced regularly to ensure you keep getting the right dose of medication. Speak to a healthcare professional on how to best care for your nebuliser.

Humidifiers and vaporisers also need to be cleaned regularly to keep the air clean and germ-free and prevent mould build-up. Empty out the water after each use. White vinegar can be used to disinfect the tank and separated parts. Use a small toothbrush to scrub away any residue in hard-to-reach areas.

When to Seek Further Medical Advice

If you or your child have any breathing difficulties, it is always best to seek professional help from a healthcare professional. This will help to diagnose the cause and determine the right course of treatment for you. Once this has been solved, a respiratory aid may be able to help you manage and reduce your symptoms at home.

Buying Your Respiratory Aids at Amcal

Amcal stock a huge range of respiratory aids for adults and children to help ease breathing difficulties and make daily life better. Discover our vaporisers, humidifiers, and inhalants by leading brands to soothe coughs, congestion, and dryness-related conditions. We have nebuliser kits to increase your medication intake and its effectiveness, as well as spacers, filters, face masks, and mouthpieces for easy inhalation.

We're a trusted choice for looking after Australian families. Shop our exhaustive selection of products and categories to relieve symptoms and feel better faster. We have personal care and skincare essentials, weight loss products, mobility aids such as reachers and walking sticks, foot care products, wound care necessities, pain relief medication, vitamins, and so much more. Browse them online today with a simple checkout and free delivery over $89 or come into your nearest Amcal and let our friendly team assist you!

FAQs About Respiratory Aids

How Does a Nebuliser Work on the Respiratory System?

Nebulisers turn liquid medication into a vapour that can be inhaled by the user through a mouthpiece or mask. The vapour goes directly to the lungs which results in faster and more effective relief from inflammation. Amcal stock a wide range of nebulisers and accessories to help you breathe easier, including nebuliser kits, face masks, spacers, filters, mouthpieces, and more with free delivery of over $89 Australia-wide.

Is a Humidifier Good for Upper Respiratory Infections?

Yes, a humidifier can be an effective way to break up congestion associated with upper respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis and asthma. The increased humidity works to soothe airways and break up mucus, making it easier to expel from the body. It can also help to relieve:

• Dry and bloody noses
• Dry skin
• Cracked lips
• Dry throat
• Allergies
• Coughs
• Sinus
• Irritated eyes

How Does a Humidifier Help Breathing?

Our range of humidifiers and vaporisers by Vicks and Medescan work to relieve a room of dryness by increasing the moisture level. They do this by releasing an ultra-fine warm or cool mist into the air that can then be inhaled and used to soothe conditions aggravated by a dry atmosphere, including congestion, coughs, and dry noses. 

Are Vaporisers the Same as Humidifiers?

Vaporisers and humidifiers are similar and are often used interchangeably. However, there are slight differences. A humidifier uses ultrasonic technology or a wick and fan to release a cool mist from cold water. A vaporiser uses an internal heating system to boil water and release it as warm steam. You can add inhalants to vaporisers to help increase their effect, such as our Vicks VapoSteam.