Allergy Info Now

Spring has sprung and with it come seasonal allergies. However, those are not the only allergies that need prevention. Even during the winter, there are allergens in the air, especially indoors. You will need to know some prevention techniques to get allergy relief. If you have taken all the other steps for symptom prevention, then you might consider buying an air filter.

A good place to start is the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s website. There you’ll find tips and even a checklist that offers methods in combatting those allergies, even some that aren’t obvious. One such tip is to not use humidifiers unless directed to do so by a physician, following your doctor’s directions carefully. This often seems counterintuitive, as humidifiers would seem to alleviate congestion. In fact, adding moisture to the air can sometimes increase the presence of certain allergens, particularly dust mites and mold.

If you’ve worked through the checklist and are still experiencing allergy symptoms, then it may be time to consider purchasing an air filter. Before doing so, however, it is necessary to do plenty of research into your options in order to determine which best meets your needs. Five types of filters are currently on the market. These include mechanical, electric, hybrid, gas phase and ozone models.

Each filter uses its own mechanism for achieving its purpose, some of which are not recommended by either the EPA or the American Lung Association. Perhaps the most widely known filter is the High Efficiency Particulate Absorbing design, better known as HEPA. These filters drive air through special screens designed to capture airborne allergens such as pet dander, dust mites and pollen. HEPA filters don’t stop there, however, and are also effective at removing cigarette smoke and other irritants from the air you breathe. In order to earn the HEPA designation, mechanical filters must capture 90% of all particles greater than 0.3 microns (0.003 millimeters) in size.

Electronic filters capture irritants and allergens using an electric charge. Another design, hybrids, use both mechanical and electronic mechanisms to cleanse the air you breathe of harmful particles.

Gas phase filters aren’t intended to remove allergens, instead removing odors and other non-particulate matter from the air you breathe. If you have problems with paint fumes, perfumes, cooking gas and other odors then a gas phase filter can combat these. While ineffective against allergens, these filters are great for asthma sufferers.

You might have heard of ozone generators from friends or from advertisements, but they are not good for homes with allergy sufferers. There is no evidence that adding ozone will remove air pollutants. In fact, high levels of ozone can be hazardous to those with asthma.

The next step after purchasing the right filter is finding the best place to install it. Logic would suggest that this should be where you spend most of your time, which many believe to be the bedroom. Another choice for additional filters would be in your living room or other common areas where many tend to gather, thus offering everyone the benefits of breathing easier. Another option for severe allergies when individual units aren’t helpful is a filter that installs into your entire ventilation system.