The allergy season is rapidly approaching! In America, over 50 million people have some form of allergies and about 50% of those react to more than one allergen. Allergy conditions are considered to a leading chronic disease where 2/3 of those affected are adult and 1/3 are children. Allergies are largely reactions from the food we eat or airborne particles we inhaling. The result of these reactions can trigger fatigue, hives and flu like symptoms including long-lasting sinusitis and stuffy, runny noses.
With spring approaching, airborne allergens from nature are all around us. You can experience reactions to these allergens that may last for days, weeks or months, sometimes serious enough to causing you to miss work or school. Allergy disease is also considered hereditary. Close to half the children who experience allergic disease have one parent who suffers from allergies. If both parents have allergies, it is likely 70% of the time, their children will also suffer.
During the allergy season, finding relief from airborne allergens may require a doctor’s care. In addition to considering medical care, there are other important steps you can take to reduce exposure to the airborne contaminates in your home, including the use of a high quality air purifier designed to remove the allergens.
The Source
Hay fever is a pollen allergy. In the springtime, it is the most significant allergy based sickness. However, there are other allergens that emerge from pet dander, dust and many other sources surrounding and found within our homes. But, by far, the pollen allergens are synonymous with seasonal allergies. Their source are tiny airborne cells emitted from and are part of a plant’s reproduction cycle from trees, flowers, weeds, and grass. When inhaled, allergies are triggered.
Pollen’s Health Impact
The floating airborne pollen are eventually inhaled when we breathe, passing through our nose and throat. Our bodies react to these foreign substances by the mucus membrane becoming inflamed, histamines being released and the blood vessels dilating in the nose. As a further reaction, the membrane swells and mucus is produced. The external evidence of these reactions are circles under our eyes as if we have not slept, involuntary sneezing and red, itchy, watery eyes. All these symptom are consider a warning sign that you could be at the start of a more chronic and severe condition.
What To Do
Seek out the advice of a qualified doctor, experienced in treating allergies and their symptoms. It is important to get this advice early to avoid complications. If medication is recommended, make sure it is taken as proscribed.
Consider remaining indoors when pollen levels are high to avoid inhaling heavy concentrations of pollen. Spring is the time of the year that it is important to keep the doors and windows closed and the home sealed tight. Keep cloths clean to insure that the outside pollens trapped in the fibers are removed and regularly clean by dusting and vacuuming.
Finally, indoor air quality should be as good as possible, free of pollen and other allergens. Vast qualities of pollen can enter your home every time a door or window is opened. There are specially designed, high-quality air purifiers available that are tailored to address the needs of allergy suffers. They should include a progression of filtration that begins with pre-filtering, the first filtering of larger dust and allergens.
Pre-filtering should be followed with a more fine filtering technology such as a medical grade High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) filter capable of removing some of the smaller pollutants. To remove odors and gases, the air purifier should include a High Efficiency Gas Arresting (HEGA) filter or equivalent that contains activated carbon. The HEPA filter should be designed to remove 99.97% particles as small as 0.3 microns and the HEGA and carbon capable of removing the chemical allergen gases. This complete purification design will remove allergens sources including pollen, mold, tobacco smoke, animal dander, toxic chemicals gases, and other airborne allergens.
The author is the owner of air filters and purifiers. He is a active blogger and has extensive experience in indoor air purification systems. To know more about HEPA air purifiers and the widely acclaimed austin air purifiers please visit http://www.airfiltersandpurifiers.com
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