subject: Air Filters And Allergies - Can An Air Purifier Help? [print this page] If you suffer from allergies, you do not need anybody to tell you about bronchitis, itchy watering eyes, wheezing and constricted air ways. What you do need is assistance and you may be wondering if an air purifier can offer that relief.
Air filters will not help in all allergy cases. Food allergies, as an example, trigger problems when the sufferer eats a particular food. An air filter isn't going to keep strawberries or peanuts out of the home. But most the typical allergens, pet dander, tobacco smoke, mildew, mold and dust, can most effectively and efficiently be controlled inside the home by an air purifier.
When you get rid of the allergens that are bothering you from the air, relief comes fast, possibly right away. The sort of air purifier you need depends on what allergens you are trying to get out of your air. This really is important because not all air purifiers are made the same.
At the very least you needs to be looking into a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particle Arrester and will remove extremely tiny particles from the air, anything from dust and pet dander to cigarette smoke. Cheaper filters that don't meet HEPA standards are almost certainly not worth buying as you will not get the relief you are seeking.
If your allergy is to fungus like mold and mildew, consider a more effective air purifier that contains a UV, or ultraviolet component. The UV filter can destroy living organisms like mold and mildew, even bacteria. These will commonly cost a bit more but you'll discover the results well worth the expense in terms of allergy relief.
One last thing, when evaluating the cost of a very good air purifier, make certain to factor in the price of filter replacements. Some makers use replaceable filters, some use filters you can wash and reuse, and some use no filters at all. These ionizing filters can save you cash in the long run.
