The Importance of Cleaning and Maintaining Your Nebulizer

1. The Importance of Cleaning and Maintaining Your Nebulizer If you know someone who has trouble breathing or if you use it yourself such an individual, then you will be well aware of the importance of a Nebulizer. A nebulizer kit is nothing short of a lifesaver for those who have breathing problem ad need to inhale large doses of medication through their lung as a mist. This is why it is crucial to properly clean and maintain your nebulizer for multiple uses. It is always important to clean and disinfect your nebulizer mask after every use to prevent the risk of breathing in germs and developing an unwanted lung infection. After every use, it is mandatory that you clean your nebulizer kit. If you have any specific instructions from the manufacturer, you must religiously follow them to ensure there is no risk of cross- contamination. If you do not have any specific instructions on how to use a nebulizer at home and clean it, then you can follow these simple steps: Clean with soap and water Disinfect Rinse thoroughly (hot or cold) Air dry When you are disinfecting your nebulizer kit you have the option of either doing it hot or cold. The most common hot methods include placing the components of the nebulizer kit in boiling water, fully submerged, for a minimum of five minutes. Alternatively, you can also use an electric steamer to sterilize the component thoroughly. If you are choosing a cold approach then you can soak the nebulizer kit in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Another option is to wash the kit using sterile water instead of using regular tap water. Whether it be hot or cold, make sure that you air-dry the kit before storing it away. There should not be any moisture of any kind in the nebulizer mask before you store it. These steps are essential as if there is any moisture in the mask or kit, it can become susceptible to germs. Similarly, if there is any residual medicine in the nebulizer mask, it can go bad and get inhaled during the next use which can potentially cause further complications and unwanted effects on the body. It is always better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to the use of delicate equipment like nebulizers. Many brands like the Omron Compressor Nebulizer NEC- 803 come with their own user manual that details the cleaning process. The Omron Nebulizer NE C28 manual details the proper way to use the kit and how to properly clean and store the device to ensure effective and safe uses for the foreseeable future. So next time you use a nebulizer kit make sure that you are properly cleaning and sanitizing the mask before storage and future use.