While medications for allergies and asthma can help alleviate symptoms and prevent reactions, air purifiers may help remove the source of your symptoms to begin with. After continued use, there’s a chance that you might experience fewer allergic reactions and asthma symptoms.
However, this isn’t a replacement for your medications, and it’s still important to prevent the aggravating particles from getting into your home in the first place. Always talk to your doctor before reducing or stopping any medications.
What they won’t work for while air purifiers can help clean up your indoor air space, they tend to work more effectively when combined with a filter.
There’s also the size of purifier to consider. A larger system is ideal if you’re trying to get cleaner air for your entire home. Otherwise, you might need multiple smaller or portable purifiers for each room.
Despite their potential benefits, air purifiers may be futile if you don’t take other steps to create cleaner air in your home, too. They only remove particles in the air, but won’t help much once these particles rest on surfaces in your home.
You can help prevent harmful particles from entering your indoor air space by doing the following:
Clean rugs, carpeting, and fabric furniture often. At a minimum, sweep these spaces once a week with a HEPA filter vacuum.
Replace carpeting with vinyl or hardwood flooring in the case of severe allergies.
Wash bedding in hot water once a week.
Bathe pets often. If you’re allergic to animal dander, try to avoid sleeping with your pets.
Make sure your home is at the right humidity so that it’s low enough to prevent dust mites and mold.
Never smoke inside the house.
Switch to nontoxic cleaning products, if possible. Ventilate your home by opening a window and running fans if you need to use harsher chemicals.
Change HVAC air filters every 30 to 90 days, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Before investing money in an air purifier, you might consider conducting a home air quality test first to see if you need one.
