It’s that time of year; the sun is starting to show itself, we’re creeping into Spring, and we’re stocking up on antihistamines.
While April is a great time to finally feel like we’re rid of the depths of the British Winter, it also brings sneezing, itchy eyes, and lots of tissues. With that in mind we’ve been exploring the best ways to beat the allergens and put an end to hay fever suffering. Read on to learn about allergy busting air purifiers and additional tips to combat allergies this season!
What causes allergies?
Allergies are the result of your immune system responding to foreign substances in your body. Normally your immune system creates antibodies to attack microorganisms that aren’t supposed to be there, including bacteria and viruses which can cause damage to our bodies. Part of the immune response can include wheezing, itching, a runny nose, or watery, itchy eyes amongst other symptoms.
Allergic reactions occur when the body produces a specific antibody which identifies an allergen as harmful, even when the allergen doesn’t actually cause harm. The allergen response can get worse with increased exposure, turning that runny nose into severe congestion or even anaphylaxis in the worst cases.
Common allergens
Allergens can be present in a variety of places, and anyone can be affected. Some common allergens include tree, weed, and grass pollen (or hayfever), dust mites, some animals like cats and dogs, some foods like nuts or dairy, or even certain medicines.
Airborne allergens can be hard to avoid, especially with different types of pollen around at different times throughout the year. Most people are allergic to grass pollen which is most common in April to September, but tree and weed pollen occur in Spring with the latter being released as late as Autumn! You can check out the Kleenex pollen calendar to prepare yourself, and help identify your specific allergens.
How to help allergies?
Air purifier
Airborne allergens can be removed from your indoor environment using an air purifier. HEPA filters are able to capture and remove particulates as small as 0.03 microns. As pollen particles average at around 25 microns, you’re well covered. Below are a few examples of allergy busting air filters!
The Blueair Blue Max 3250 auto is a speedy purifier that can completely filter the air in a 20m² room every 12.5 minutes. It has an inbuilt air quality indicator that can detect particle concentration in your space, and the washable pre-filter surrounding the Blue Max 3250 auto extends the life of the primary HEPA filters.
If you’re looking for something compact that still packs a punch, the Philips 800 series purifier uses a HEPA filter and delivers a 190 m³/h clean air rate. The filters can last up to 12 months, and at under 2.5kg it’s great for a small space.
For a larger option, the Dyson Purifier Cool Autoreact TP7A uses HEPA 13 filters. These are one of the most highest class of HEPA filters and are considered to be medical grade quality. This purifier also acts as a cooling system in warmer weather, providing you with cool, clean air. It can even be remote controlled!
Extra cleaning in the home
Allergens can enter the home with you; through open windows and doors or on your clothes, you’d be surprised how sneaky they can be! By cleaning regularly and using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, you can remove these excess allergens before they can affect you. Read our guide on how to freshen up your home here!
Treat the symptoms
Nasal irrigation can offer fast, effective relief for congestion. It can flush out allergens and mucus from your nose to help you breathe easier when you’re suffering.
A spoonful of honey or hot tea is a natural way to sooth a sore throat, and the steam can also help with decongestion.
When you have the sniffles you can often end up with a sore nose, so look after your skin by using a soothing balm and soft tissues.
Allergies can affect anyone, and knowing how to handle hay fever season can make them much easier to deal with, so get your air purifier switched on and grab your vacuum!
Do you suffer from allergies? Have any top tips for keeping the runny nose at bay? Let us know!
