What Is A Nebulizer?

How To Clean A Nebulizer

The medical professional who teaches patients how to use the nebulizer will also show them how to maintain and clean it. Different models might have slightly different requirements, so individuals need to pay attention. As a general rule, patients should always wash their hands before cleaning and make sure they lay the nebulizer pieces on a sanitized surface. Patients will take apart the medicine cup, mouthpiece, mask, and tube. Each will be washed in warm and soapy water. The pieces should be allowed to air dry on a clean towel rather than being wiped dry. The nebulizer manufacturer will have specific instructions about how to disinfect the machine components. This can typically be found in the accompanying medication instructional guide. Individuals can expect to need to replace a few pieces of the nebulizer once every three to four months. The instruction manual will tell individuals when and how to do this, and where to get the replacement pieces. A dirty nebulizer can get contaminated with bacteria, which can lead to a dangerous respiratory infection.

Learn about the potential downsides of nebulizers next.