Allergies & Air Purifiers

Spring is in full swing, and the air is thick with pollen. For those with environmental allergies, both seasonal and year-round, this can exacerbate existing respiratory symptoms and allergic reactions. A simple and effective way to breathe more comfortably and help prevent respiratory flare ups is by setting up an air purifier in your home.

Do Air Purifiers Help with Allergies?

Air purifiers can have a higher up-front cost, but are an excellent long-term investment for your health. While air purifiers cannot completely rid the air of allergens, they can significantly reduce their presence in your home (Publishing, 2018). The fewer allergens that are present, the greater the reprieve from your symptoms. Experts recommend placing air purifiers in the most commonly used area(s) of your home, such as the living room (Publishing, 2018). If your allergy-related congestion worsens at night, I would recommend putting the air purifier in your bedroom - personally, this has been a huge help in getting rid of overnight congestion. 

How Do I Know Which Air Purifier to Purchase?

Finding the right air purifier can feel overwhelming. The market is flooded with choices, so it’s important to know what to look for. The best air purifiers to help with allergies are those that use HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters (Publishing, 2010). HEPA filters are the most effective at capturing particulates of all sizes. 

If you believe you may have allergies but need help identifying what allergens are impacting you, check out our page on Allergy Testing and get started on your journey to being allergy-free.

Citations

Publishing, H. H. (2018, March). Easy ways you can improve indoor air quality. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/easy-ways-you-can-improve-indoor-air-quality. 

Publishing, H. H. (2010, September). Tiny specks may add up to heaps of trouble. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/tiny-specks-may-add-up-to-heaps-of-trouble.