Do Air Filters Help with Allergies?

Air purifiers can be effective in eliminating the source of allergies, but they should not replace prescription drugs. Yes, air purifiers help your lungs by improving air quality so you can breathe healthier air. Devices help reduce exposure to indoor particles, allergens and pollutants, which can positively affect respiratory health. Air purifiers work to reduce the amount of pollen in the air, which in turn should relieve allergy symptoms.

However, results will vary from person to person. The exact operation of an air purifier will depend on the size of the room, the local climate, the model of the purifier, and your own personal health.

Honeywell

got into legal trouble for exaggerating the effectiveness of its air purifiers, so be wary of bold claims from manufacturers.

How Do Air Filters Work?

Air filters work by attracting particles through an electronic static charge.

Honeywell's AirGenius5 is a popular model that oscillates in a corner of a room and is relatively quiet and easy to use. It has settings for “sleep” and “germs” as well as “allergy”. My allergist recommended a good brand of mattress covers and pillows for my bed, and we have air filters in the attic and downstairs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that air purifiers can help reduce airborne pollutants, including viruses, in a home or in a confined space.

A small-scale study conducted in China found that air purifiers reduced fine particles in the air (dust, pollen, dander) and improved participants' blood pressure levels and lung function. Consider the size and power of your air purifier, as you may want one that you can move from your bedroom to your home office, depending on where you spend the most time, or a heavy-duty whole-home option if you have multiple allergy sufferers under one roof.

Do Air Filters Help with Pet Allergies?

It can be nice to cuddle with pets or open a window to let in some fresh air, but it can also cause a lot of dust, dander or impurities to enter the air or cause them to come out into the air. Fortunately, an air purifier can provide some relief from allergies caused by pets or pollen in the air.

However, no matter the quality of the air purifier you buy, no model in the world can remove all pollutants from your home. For best overall results, select an air cleaner that uses an activated carbon filter in combination with other filters, such as a HEPA filter. In the case of pet dander, particles that cause pet allergies can be removed by using an air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter. While filters can't completely eliminate common allergy triggers, such as dust, dirt, pollen, and pet dander, the best air purifiers will help improve the overall air quality in your home and help reduce some of the most unpleasant allergy symptoms.

Conclusion

Air filters are not a cure-all for allergies but they can provide some relief from symptoms caused by dust, pollen or pet dander.

Consider the size and power of your air purifier when selecting one for your home or office. For best overall results, select an air cleaner that uses an activated carbon filter in combination with other filters such as a HEPA filter.