Can air purifiers relieve allergies? Pollen, house dust mites, animal hair… allergens don’t stop at your front door. For allergy sufferers, the body's overreaction to harmless substances can become a physical ordeal. Although there are many treatment options, the most effective method is to avoid the allergy-causing substance.
Around 25 million people in Germany suffer from allergies. Seemingly harmless particles like pollen, dust, or animal hair become torments and trigger nasty, threatening overreactions in the body. Exposure to these so-called allergens can cause symptoms such as a runny nose, asthma, or migraines. There are treatment options and methods for treating symptoms. Still, doctors recommend avoiding allergens if possible. It's not always easy. At home, an air purifier can help filter allergy-causing substances from the air.
What allergies can an air purifier help treat? Is there anything I need to pay attention to? What equipment is recommended? You will find answers to your questions here.
Symptoms of allergic reactions include but are not limited to:

In the worst-case scenario, life-threatening anaphylactic shock may occur. Fortunately, medicine is here to help—in the form of treatment options and medications to treat symptoms.
Allergies are very individual. In principle, the body can overreact to any substance. However, some substances can increase the risk of allergies. These include, for example, pollen, house dust, animal hair (or the saliva and sweat on it) and various food allergies.

Air purifiers can help relieve allergies

Many allergens enter our respiratory tract through the air - such as pollen and dust. There's not much we can do about it outside, but there's a solution at home: air purifiers can help solve such allergy problems by cleaning the air indoors.
Now you might think you are safe from allergens in your home? not at all. Allergy-causing substances can seep into every crevice and be carried indoors through clothing. In a closed room, they accumulate this way over time. Many allergens are also present in the home, such as house dust.
Air purifiers effectively remove the smallest particles from the air. For allergies, it is important that it is an air purifier with a HEPA filter.

When do air purifiers make sense for allergy sufferers?

Modern filtration systems make air purifiers very effective against allergies. However, there is a cost to purchasing. In addition, the filter must be replaced regularly. When does it really make sense to consider buying?
If you regularly struggle with allergies in your home, it often makes sense to consider using an air purifier to treat your allergies. However, first you should determine what you are allergic to. Air purifiers can only provide relief if allergens are airborne. This device cannot help treat food or contact allergies (such as detergents).
Air purifiers can help remove the following allergens or sensitizers:

• pollen
• dust in house
• animal hair
• mold spores
• particulates
• Other pollutants, such as chemical fumes

If you have allergies, what should you consider when buying an air purifier?

As an affected person, your goal is to eliminate allergens from the air you breathe. To achieve this goal, an air purifier suitable for allergy sufferers should have the following characteristics:
HEPA Filtration System: This is the most important thing! Devices with HEPA filters pull in air like a vacuum cleaner and pass it through a fine-pore filtration system where allergens are trapped. The air released is therefore free of allergens.
Sufficient performance: The performance of an air purifier is reflected in how much air it can circulate each time. Efficiency depends on the size of the room. Therefore, the air purifier should have an output suitable for the size of the room.
Volume: It is recommended to use low volume devices, especially in bedrooms.
A HEPA filter is an absolute must. Pure ionizers are not suitable. These devices produce negatively charged particles called ions. The ions react with particles in the air or form larger complexes. Materials in the air sink to the ground. This alone is no good for allergies, as allergens also end up on beds and upholstery, in higher concentrations. On the other hand, it is recommended to use an ionizer in conjunction with a HEPA filtration system.

The right humidity in your home is not only important for your personal well-being and a pleasant indoor climate, it also affects your health. Dry air not only irritates the respiratory tract but also increases the risk of infection.

Humidification reduces risk of infection

Many different pathogens are present in varying concentrations in indoor air: In addition to bacteria and viruses, mold spores can also contribute to the development of chronic respiratory infections. Airborne dust also poses a risk to your health and, depending on its composition, may trigger allergies, such as house dust allergy caused by the excrement of certain mites.A 1986 study examined concentrations of various bacteria and air pollutants as a function of humidity. As a result, low humidity increases the number of bacteria and viruses in the air, while high humidity promotes the growth of mold and dust mites. The recommended ideal humidity range is 40 to 60%, which is a compromise between the absence of particularly high concentrations of bacteria and viruses on the one hand and the absence of mites and mold on the other. Not very popular.Other studies have also looked at the impact of dry air on infection risk. For example, at relative humidity between 20% and 35%, the risk of contracting the influenza virus is three times greater than at the ideal humidity of 50%. There are several reasons for this effect: On the one hand, the lifespan of bacteria and viruses increases as humidity decreases. On the other hand, when humidity is low, bacteria can travel faster and farther through the air.

Humidifier reduces dust

In addition to reducing the risk of infection, another positive effect of more humid air is reduced dust pollution: when air humidity is high, water molecules also accumulate on all types of dust particles. This causes the suspended material to become heavier and sink to the ground faster. Increasing humidity can reduce dust levels by up to 80%. This effect is especially important for allergy sufferers, as less dust and allergy-causing substances in the air will lead to an improvement in most symptoms.

Effects of dry air on skin

If the humidity in your home is too low, you may notice it first in your respiratory tract: Your throat will feel scratchy and your nose will start to itch. Although the mucous membranes of your mouth and nose are constantly supplied with moisture by your body, if they are irritated by dry indoor air, your need for water will increase accordingly. If the mucous membranes are dry, the body's own defenses against air pollutants are also impaired, further increasing the risk of infection.

People spend two-thirds of their lives indoors. This makes it even more important to pay special attention to indoor climate. If a bad atmosphere can lead to discomfort and even illness, an optimally harmonious environment promotes individual health.
Indoor climate is determined by many factors. The most important factors are room temperature, humidity and air quality. Light and noise levels also play an indirect role. The optimal indoor climate varies from person to person, and there are no universally valid guidelines. For measurable standards of temperature and humidity, there are so-called comfort zones in which health and performance can best develop.

Temperature

Temperature plays an important role in creating a comfortable climate within your own four walls. Different rooms can have different settings. In living areas and kitchens, the Consumer Advice Center's energy advice recommends a temperature range of 19° to 21°C. For a comfortable sleeping environment, 18 degrees Celsius is enough, while the temperature in the bathroom can be 21 degrees Celsius to 23 degrees Celsius. During the heating season, when no one is home, the temperature can drop to 16 degrees Celsius.
Additionally, surrounding surfaces can affect the feel. The colder the walls, the more hot air is needed for a comfortable climate.

Tips for dry air in winter

Dry outdoor air meets dry heating in the coming winter. Dry mucous membranes are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, causing colds. Home remedies, such as laying damp towels on radiators, can moisturize the air in a room to some extent but can promote the growth of pathogens. If you have to spend a lot of time in a heated room, a humidifier is the best way to help.

Humidity

It can be seen that air humidity is the second direct factor in healthy indoor climate. An even humidity of 50 to 60 percent is ideal because it is most comfortable to live in. In contrast to the hot winter months, excessive humidity is a problem during the rest of the season. Regular ventilation is the best way to ensure that the indoor climate returns to a smooth state.

Avoid mold

Chronic increases in humidity can lead to mold formation. If there is no improvement after taking appropriate ventilation measures, an electric dehumidifier can help.

Air quality

Clean breathing air is defined as containing nearly 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen. If there are several people in the room, the oxygen is depleted and the air becomes stuffy. Indoor air can be harmful to health if it is contaminated by pollutants emitted by paint and floor coverings. Continuous ventilation is one way to restore an optimal indoor climate.
Proper ventilation
Regular ventilation can provide fresh air. During the cold season, it is effective to fully open the windows for approximately three x five minutes to create ventilation. In summer, it is recommended to ventilate in the morning and evening. The window can then easily stay open for 30 minutes.

Plant

Indoor plants are not only pleasing to the eye, but they are an important part of the indoor climate. Through photosynthesis, they convert the carbon dioxide in the air they breathe into oxygen. They also release more than 90% of irrigation water into the air through evaporation, making them particularly suitable for drying rooms.