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Will an Air Purifier Actually Help With Allergies?Allergy relief through air filtration -
There are mixed opinions on whether air purifiers are a reliable solution to help prevent or mitigate seasonal allergies. Generally, these products can help with reducing airborne allergens in the immediate area of the device but following use guidelines and regular maintenance are required for efficacy.
Read on for the pros and cons of using an air purifier for allergies. On the one hand, air purifiers work to clear the air of some of the stuff making your child miserable. A study evaluated the effects of air purifiers on participants with allergic rhinitis nasal allergies.
Study participants were randomly assigned to active or placebo air purification groups for six weeks. In the active group, allergy medication usage was significantly reduced.
Another study in also evaluated the efficacy of air purifiers in participants with nasal allergies. After four months of use in their bedrooms, researchers found that the HEPA air purifiers effectively reduced particulate matter and dust mite allergen concentration and improved allergy symptoms.
Some studies have also looked specifically at air purifiers and children. For example, a study in the Journal of Asthma found that after 12 weeks of using an air purifier or placebo, the air purifier group had significantly reduced nasal symptoms. While there are potential benefits of using air purifiers, these devices have limited capabilities and perform best in small spaces.
Also, turning on an air purifier doesn't start relieving allergy symptoms right away, as it takes time to remove the particles from the air. Plus, these products can also be expensive and difficult to maintain. There is also routine maintenance involved with changing filters. While there are studies that show health benefits, particularly for those with mild or moderate allergies, research on the topic is limited and often contains small sample sizes.
While an air purifier alone isn't going to eradicate your child's allergy symptoms, it can help if used properly. If you're looking to try out an air purifier as part of your allergy management, there are a few things to look out for, including:.
And since air purifiers can be expensive, if you only have one air purifier, we recommend putting it in the bedroom since you spend a consolidated amount of time there while sleeping. Besides a portable air purifier, there are also ways you can install air purifiers into your home's ventilation system.
Ideally, the MERV rating should be at least 11, and higher values are better. And make sure you clean or replace these filters regularly," recommends Dr. Air purifiers can help with seasonal allergies, but they may not be the most effective method, particularly when other remedies aren't used simultaneously.
If you want to try one out, read the product specifications carefully to ensure it will work in the space you need it for. The Role of Environmental Risk Factors on the Development of Childhood Allergic Rhinitis. Children Basel. Air Purifiers Fact Sheet. University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Effects of Air Purifiers on Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study. Yonsei Med J. Efficacy of air purifier therapy in allergic rhiniti. Key Specs: Coverage Area: sq ft Size: 9. And this one does just that.
During our lab testing, this unit effectively cleaned the air, bringing it to good levels in 10 minutes. Like some of the pricier models, it has a pre-filter, HEPA filter, and carbon filter to remove indoor pollutants and smells.
It could work in small offices or nurseries that are square feet or less. Key Specs: Coverage Area: sq ft Size: 6. Wildfire and cigarette smoke are a significant source of VOCs, which can negatively impact your health.
If you live in an area with frequent wildfires or secondhand smoke, investing in an air purifier that effectively removes VOCs may be a good idea.
Not all purifiers remove VOCs, but this one from Bissell does. During our lab test, it effectively lowered both PM and VOC levels. It has some other features going for it, too.
After six months, we also noticed a slightly more clunky sound coming from the industrial grade fan. Finally, the air quality light on the front of the unit dims during nighttime but never fully shuts off, so if you like to sleep in a pitch-black bedroom, this will give off some light.
The Toppin Air Purifier fits on a desk and has a sleek, small footprint. During our lab testing, this small but mighty model effectively cleaned the air within minutes, making it on par with some of the larger and more expensive options on our list.
It has a HEPA filter to remove allergens and a carbon filter to trap smoke and odors, which is probably why we found it particularly effective at combating cat allergies. However, the Toppin does have some standard features, such as filter change indicator, quiet mode, and timer.
Got pets? Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter is an effective way to safeguard against pet dander circulating throughout your home, and this one from Alen is equipped with a HEPA filter specifically designed for homes with pets. One cool and uncommon feature of this air purifier is that the LED lights indicate real-time changes in air quality.
We found the lights to be insanely accurate. They picked up speed immediately when we started to cook or use hair products. One downside is that the filter replacements are expensive.
Key Specs: Coverage Area: 1, sq ft Size: 27 x We recommend them without reservation. To find the best air purifiers, we put them to the test. We chose air purifiers from trusted, top-rated brands and ensured they have HEPA filters—the gold standard for trapping indoor allergens. Then, we evaluated them in the lab based on their ease of assembly, design, noise level, special features, and effectiveness.
To begin the testing process, we used a stopwatch to measure how long it took to set up the air purifier out of the box. All models were assembled in less than eight minutes, though some required just one minute. After assembly, we noted the attractiveness of the design as well as the size, function, and ease of use of each air purifier.
Air purifiers are notoriously loud because they are equipped with a fan to draw in and circulate air. To determine the noise level of each model, we measured the noise in decibels using a decibel meter.
Fewer than 30 decibels is considered ideal. This is possible on the lowest settings usually sleep or night mode , but higher settings can reach as many as 86 decibels in some models. A simple air purifier can get the job done, but some special features make the experience more pleasant and convenient.
We made note of any special features, such as smartphone app, filter change indicator, night mode, and others. The final lab test involved testing for effectiveness.
We set up multiple chambers to conduct indoor air quality tests. Each chamber housed different particles, such as pet hair, mothballs, and smoke. Prior to the test, we measured the indoor air quality of each chamber to have a baseline measurement.
Then, each model was tested on its lowest and highest settings for up to 10 minutes. These readings were compared to the baseline to see how each model improved the indoor air quality. After the lab testing, we took the air purifiers home for six months. We used them nonstop and evaluated them every couple of months based on our firsthand experience.
We also asked the following experts for their advice about which features to look for:. The cost of an air purifier can vary depending on size, coverage area, and features. For bedrooms, a coverage area of square feet is plenty.
For larger rooms, such as living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchen areas, you may need something more substantial. We tested air purifiers with coverage areas as small as square feet and as large as 2, square feet. Typically, they fall in the to square foot range. If you have an open floor plan, you may need a model with a large coverage to efficiently circulate the air throughout the space.
All of the allergists we spoke to unanimously recommend the same type of filter. HEPA filters, short for high-efficiency particulate air filters, are the gold standard for effectively improving indoor air quality.
Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters significantly reduce the concentration of indoor particulate matter and can reduce the medication requirements for people with indoor allergies, according to an August study in Yonsei Medical Journal.
The filter catches these particles and reduces the number of allergens in the air. We only tested air purifiers with HEPA filters since they are viewed as the best for cleaning indoor air. Some models also include pre-filters to trap larger particles, as well as activated carbon filters for neutralizing odors.
After some time, HEPA filters can become clogged with particles, which makes them less effective. Parikh recommends changing the filter every six months or so, but this can vary by manufacturer and frequency of use.
One final note—the type of filter used in an air filter can affect its CADR, or clean air delivery rate. The CADR measures the volume of clean air produced per minute based on the coverage area. Look for a CADR of or higher, though or higher is even better.
Air purifiers are inevitably noisy. They use a fan to draw in and circulate air, which can be quite loud. The highest settings tend to be the loudest, though you can look for an air purifier with a night mode to clean the air while you sleep without as much noise. This is especially important if you plan to use the air purifier in a bedroom or other quiet room.
Quality air purifiers clean and deodorize the air in your living and work spaces to help keep you healthy. This can be accomplished with different types of filters and odor-eliminating features. We selected the top air purifiers for allergies for our list by looking for trusted brands with top-rated products.
We researched product details, read customer reviews, and checked with an allergist about what to look for. We chose air purifiers based on the type of filtration they offer and what particles they filter, the square footage they cover, and special features such as automatic mode settings, remote control operation, and automatic air quality detection.
We also talked to expert Kathleen Dass , MD, a Michigan-based allergist and immunologist. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air, and Dr.
Dass says that purifiers with HEPA filters have been the most extensively studied—and the only kind proven to filter particles out as small as 0. That makes them one of the best tools in combating the effects of indoor allergens.
If your device only covers a small space within a large room, it's not doing the job you need it to in order to remove allergens. Air purifiers have a clean air delivery rating CADR , which indicates how efficient the device is at cleaning the air. Some air purifiers are electrically-charged, or ionized, with UV technology to further clean and sanitize the air.
This is a feature that some people benefit from, but others—like those with asthma—should avoid these types of purifiers, says Dr. Air purifiers work by using a built-in fan to draw in air. The air passes through a filter, such as a HEPA filter, which traps particles.
The clean air is then circulated through. Investing in an air purifier is a great way to combat indoor allergens. They can improve allergy symptoms by removing allergens from the air you breathe. If you have indoor allergies, you may benefit from using an air purifier at night.
Air purifiers can be noisy, however, so if you need an air purifier for your bedroom, opt for one with a night mode. Air cleaning devices might help.
But the best way to improve your air quality is to get rid of the sources of allergens and irritants from your home. Take measures to avoid and reduce your contact with allergens. Also increase the flow of outdoor air into your home and reduce humidity as much as possible.
Reducing humidity decreases dust mites and mold growth. Air conditioners help reduce humidity too. They can also prevent outdoor allergens. Keep your windows and doors closed.
Turn your air conditioner on recirculate. These steps can help reduce outdoor allergens like pollen and mold. Control dust mites. Keep surfaces in your home clean and uncluttered. Bare floors and walls are best, especially in the bedroom where you spend one-third of your time.
Avoid wall-to-wall carpet, if possible. If you must have carpet, use low-pile carpets or throw rugs you can wash. Also avoid heavy drapes and overstuffed fabric furniture. Replace drapes and blinds with roll-down shades or washable curtains. Use zippered allergen-resistant or plastic covers on your pillows, mattresses and box springs.
These covers are very effective in controlling your contact with dust mites. Encasing mattresses works better than air cleaners to reduce allergy symptoms. Wash your bedding, uncovered pillows and stuffed toys in water degrees Fahrenheit or hotter each week.
Dry them in a hot dryer cycle to kill dust mites. Vacuum once or twice a week. Vacuuming helps keep allergens low. But poor quality vacuums could put dust into the air. These vacuums have been tested and found to prevent allergens from going back into the air.
If you have allergies, wear a mask while doing housework. Use a cloth that is damp or treated with polish for dusting. Leave the house for several hours after cleaning it.
Prevent pet dander. Most doctors suggest that people who have allergies to animal dander not have pets with feathers or fur. There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet. People with pet allergies are allergic to animal dander which are shed skin cells that all animals have.
Some animal dander has fewer allergenic proteins. This may lead to fewer or no symptoms.
Pediatricians and immunologists say an aair purifier might be DEXA scan of many tools filltration help your Ketosis Weight Loss survive Allergy relief through air filtration season, but it's not a cure-all. Througj, warmer weather brings out the best in nature—everything is green, blooming, and bright. But for kids with seasonal allergies and their parents, it can be a time of misery. Itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing can zap the fun out of playing outside in that fresh air —and allergy symptoms often carry on inside, too. Many parents wonder if air purifiers can help with allergies by offering relief to their kids when they're at home.
We've been independently Allergy relief through air filtration and testing Allergy relief through air filtration for over years. If you buy Hydrostatic weighing for weight management our filtratoin, we may earn throigh commission. Learn more about our review process. Dust mites, animal dander, filtraation spores, cooking fumes — filtratioon matter how clean a home you keep, indoor air pollutants have a way of hanging around. These contaminants are particularly irritating for the millions of Americans who suffer from year-round allergies. Along with steps like regular vacuuming and instating a no-shoes policy to prevent pollen from being tracked indoors, running a high-performing air purifier at home can cut down on the sneezing, sniffles and itchiness that are triggered by allergic reactions.
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