Air Purifier Allergies: Relief or Exacerbation?

Introduction

Allergic reactions are triggered when a substance (allergen) triggers an immune system response. Allergens can be found in foods, medications, or dust and pollen. The most common symptoms of allergies include itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing and coughing. Some people also experience skin irritation or trouble breathing due to their allergies. But what about air purifiers? Can these devices help reduce allergy symptoms? The short answer is yes—but there are some important things you need to know before you buy one for your home or office.

Pollen is just one type of allergen.

Allergic reactions occur when your body's immune system mistakenly identifies an allergen as harmful and produces antibodies to attack it. Some common allergens include pollen, pet dander, mold and dust mites. Allergens can be either airborne or found in food or water. Natural allergens are typically seasonal and can vary from year to year depending on changing weather patterns or the type of crop being harvested nearby. Man-made substances like pesticides also trigger allergic reactions for some people.

Allergic reactions do not need to be severe in order for them to affect your quality of life; even a mild reaction will disrupt your day if you have chronic seasonal allergies such as hay fever (also known as allergic rhinitis). It's important that you understand how allergies work so that you know where they come from and how they affect your health so you can take steps toward preventing them before they strike again!

The best air purifiers catch contaminants you can't see.

If you’re allergic to certain allergens, an air purifier can help reduce allergy symptoms. Most air purifiers work by trapping allergens in the air. This includes dust mite allergens and pollen, which are two of the most common triggers for allergies. People who suffer from asthma may also benefit from an air purifier because it helps reduce asthma symptoms caused by dust mites and other irritants in your home.

Air purifiers aren't a cure-all for allergies or asthma, but they're a helpful tool that can be used alongside medications like antihistamines or inhalers to give you better control over your symptoms and improve quality of life.

With allergies, it's a good idea to keep doors and windows closed.

Air purifiers are very effective at removing allergens from the air. However, if you have allergies and live in an area with high pollen counts, it’s a good idea to keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.

Also, be sure your pet doesn’t enter the room where your air purifier is located. If they do try to enter, ask them politely to leave the room or otherwise train them not to come in there.

Finally, clean your filter regularly (the instructions should tell how often). If you have pets that shed hair or dander on a regular basis (most cats do), then this will be especially important for you since their fur can become trapped by filters over time and cause problems for people who are allergic to it. Also make sure that any HEPA filter being used has been tested for use with specific types of allergens like dust mites or pet dander before purchasing one!

For the most effective filtration, change your air filters regularly.

The best air purifiers have a filter that needs to be replaced. The frequency that you need to change your filter depends on how dirty the air is in your home and which type of air purifier you're using. If you have pets or smokers in the house, then it's likely your filters will need to be changed more often than if everyone in the house is relatively clean-living.

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are the gold standard for allergy sufferers.

The most common type of filter used in air purifiers is high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA). HEPA filters are able to remove particles from the air, including pollen, dust mites and pet dander. They are often expensive but they can last several years before needing to be replaced.

Think about what kind of allergy symptoms you have before choosing an air purifier.

Allergies are different for everyone, so it's important to look at what kind of allergy symptoms you have. If you want to reduce your exposure to allergens and manage your allergies, think about what type of air purifier can help manage those symptoms.

If you have asthma, talk to your doctor before adding an air purifier to your home or office.

If you have asthma and are considering using an air purifier, it’s important to talk to your doctor first. This is because the right filter can help you breathe easier, but the wrong one could make your symptoms worse.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Some people with asthma find that allergen-reducing devices such as air conditioners and dehumidifiers help reduce symptoms caused by house dust mites or other causes.” In general, though, it's best not to use a humidifier if you have asthma—and if you do decide to buy one anyway, make sure that its filter removes more than 80 percent of particles larger than 0.3 microns (the size at which most allergens begin).

If possible, try keeping dust levels low in your home by regularly cleaning surfaces like floors and furniture with vacuums with high suction power; dusting high up places such as windowsills where dust tends to accumulate; cleaning vents on a regular basis; and preventing pets from shedding too much hair inside the house or apartment (or adopting a pet who doesn't shed at all).

Air filters can help reduce allergy symptoms as long as you know what kind of allergies you have

To answer this question, we need to know what kind of allergies you are suffering from. If it's dust mite allergies, an air purifier for hayfever can help—but if you're allergic to pollen or mold spores, an air filter won't do much for you.

Then there's the question of what else contributes to your symptoms. For example, does dust make its way into your home via cracks around windows? Are there pets in your house? Do certain fabrics bother you? These things can make a big difference in whether or not an air filter is helpful.

Conclusion

If you have allergies, there are several things to consider before buying an air purifier. It's important to know the difference between allergens and irritants when you're shopping for air filters because they will affect whether or not your symptoms improve