Allergies feel a whole lot like getting sick, although in some aspects, it’s even worse. Allergies are caused by a hypersensitivity of the immune system to something that’s actually quite harmless, but thankfully, there are some great home gadgets that can help control your allergies. Allergies are becoming more and more prevalent in people, and while there are some solid theories as to why, no one’s absolutely sure what’s causing the rise in reactions. That’s why I got in touch with Dr. Purvi Parikh, who is an allergist and immunologist with Allergy & Asthma Network. She was more than willing to share her insights about the best tools to help you combat your allergies, both inside your home and out.
“Allergies are caused by many things such as pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander and roaches,” says Dr. Parikh. “Airborne allergens [like the ones I just listed] are the most common. About four percent of population is allergic to foods, as well.” When it comes to tackling these allergens in your home, some things are obvious. “Keeping pets you know that you are allergic to out of the home helps to reduce allergen load,” Dr. Parikh says, and “inhalers are the safest of medications, and that is why we use them even in small babies.” If your allergies are mild, however, and you’re looking for the best anti-allergy gadgets, check out these awesome recommendations.
1. Get Rid Of Pet Dander And Mold With A Sleek Purifier
Holmes Egg Air Purifier, $70, Amazon
“Air purifiers really help with pets and mold,” says Dr. Parikh, and a good one like this sleek Holmes Egg air purifier gets rid of up to 99 percent of airborne allergens, like dust, pollen, and dander. It’s also got three speed settings, as well as an ionizer.
2. Go All Natural With Bamboo Charcoal
Whitmor Bamboo Charcoal Purifier, $23, Amazon
Purifiers that use charcoal (like this Whitmor bamboo charcoal purifier) are gaining loads of popularity. They utilize the extremely absorbent qualities of natural charcoal to cleanse the air of smells and moisture, which makes it a great option if you’re sensitive to mold, spores, and mildew.
3. Kill Airborne Fungus And Mold With Tea Tree
Natural Tea Tree Air Purifier, $20, Amazon
This natural tea tree air purifier is another natural type of purifier that uses tea tree to kill airborne fungus and mold spores. It works wonderfully in your kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere moist, and reviewers love that it smells great and really helps to eliminate odors while it purifies.
4. A Great Solution For Bedrooms
Febreze Mini Tower Air Purifier, $36, Amazon
The Febreze mini tower air purifier really helps with small enclosed spaces, like bedrooms and living rooms. It helps to eliminate 99 percent of all dust, odors, and allergens. It’s also really quiet and has special filters that make your home smell fresh and pleasant.
5. Soak Up Allergens With Coconut Shells
Coco Natural Air Freshener, $20, Amazon
Another really innovative option that’s all natural, the Coco natural air freshener is made from premium coconut shell activated carbon. It’s extremely absorbent and pulls all those nasty airborne allergens from your space, and because it’s small but effective, it works in any space.
6. Protect Your Mattress From Dust Mites
LinenSpa Mattress Protector, $30, Amazon
According to Dr. Parikh, “Dust mite covers on mattresses, box springs, and pillows help reduce dust mite exposure.” The LinenSpa mattress protector is a soft, breathable fabric that covers your bed to protect against bugs, allergens, and mites. It’s also entirely waterproof, really soft, and easy to take care of because you can just throw it in the washing machine.
7. This Pillow Is Entirely Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic Bamboo Memory Foam Pillow, $28, Amazon
If you often wake up with a stuffy nose and difficult breathing, your pillow could be the culprit. This hypoallergenic bamboo memory foam pillow is naturally antimicrobial and resistant to mold, dust mites, and bacteria because it’s made from hypoallergenic bamboo. It also contours to your neck and body in such a way that has reviewers asking, “Is this my dream pillow?”
8. A Cotton Barrier Against Dust And Mites
Allersoft Standard Cotton Pillow Cover, $12, Amazon
The Allersoft standard cotton pillow cover is another awesome option, while following Dr. Parikh’s advice. The membrane-free fabric is made from 100 percent natural cotton, and it’s one of the most effective barriers to dust and mites. It’s also ridiculously soft, and not at all “crinkly,” like other solutions.
9. Frequently Vacuum Your Space
BISSELL Vacuum, $75, Amazon
“Removing carpets and frequently vacuuming is another thing that can really make a huge difference,” says Dr. Parikh. The BISSELL vacuum is the number one best seller in the upright vacuums category, as it’s exceptionally lightweight, but it’s got an innovative brush design and a cyclonic system that lets you suck up way more dust, pollen, and dander in one easy movement.
10. This Hand-Held Solution For Hard To Reach Places
Black+Decker Lithium Pivot Vacuum, $68, Amazon
The Black+Decker lithium pivot vacuum is another amazing option for your home. It’s a small but extremely powerful handheld vacuum that uses lithium technology and a long pivoting nozzle to reach high and low, sucking up all the things that would otherwise leave you sneezing and heaving.
11. Remember To Keep Your Car Clean, Too
Onshowy Car Vacuum Cleaner, $21, Amazon
“Keeping your car clean and frequently vacuumed will help reduce your exposure,” says Dr. Parikh. The Onshowy car vacuum cleaner plugs straight into your cigarette lighter, so you can clean up dust and messes at the touch of a button. It’s got a long cord, powerful suction, a one-step emptying function, and a lightweight frame.
12. Plug This Purifier Into Your Cigarette Lighter
Car Air Purifier, $17, Amazon
The car air purifier is a great little gadget that plugs right into your cigarette lighter to eliminate smoke, bacteria, and dust. It’s made with ionizing technology that won’t drain your car battery, and reviewers say that it made a serious difference.
13. Soak Up Dust, Allergens, And Smoke In Your Car
Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifiers, $10, Amazon
These bamboo charcoal air purifiers use all natural bamboo charcoal to soak up dust, allergens, mold, smoke, and smells in your space. They’re especially effective in your car because these ones are easy to hang and made for small spaces.
14. Skip The Chemicals In Your Laundry Detergent
Eco Nuts Organic Laundry Detergent, $11, Amazon
If someone is particularly sensitive to chemicals in detergent and soaps, Dr. Parikh says, “They should be patch tested by a board certified allergist to determine which chemicals they are allergic to and buy products free from these chemicals.” Laundry detergents are a huge source of allergens for some people, and this Eco Nuts Organic laundry detergent is instead made from USDA certified organic soap berries from trees that grow in the Himalayas. They effectively clean your clothes, but without all the nasty chemicals.
15. Filter The Allergens From Your Shower Water
Filtered Handheld Shower Head, $20, Amazon
Because chlorine allergies and other water-based chemicals are pretty common, a filtered handheld shower head might seriously reduce your skin and breathing issues. This one uses tourmaline beads and negative ionization to absorb impurities and allergens in your water, and water pressure is entirely unaffected.
16. Switch Out Your Moisturizer For Something Natural
Viva Labs Fractionated Coconut Oil, $10, Amazon
If you’re allergic to additives, fragrances, and chemicals in your moisturizers, Viva Labs fractionated coconut oil is an amazing replacement. It’s made entirely from nutrient-rich and odorless coconut oil, so it’s great for people with sensitivities, but it’s also lightweight, absorbent, easy to spread, and makes skin soft and hydrated.
17. Skip The Parabens And Fragrances In Your Makeup
Physicians Formula Nude Eye Enhancing Kit, $9, Amazon
The Physicians Formula nude eye-enhancing kit is free from all parabens, gluten, and fragrances, so it’s safe for people with sensitive skin. It comes with nine different eye shadow colors, eyeliner, and mascara, and all of the included cosmetics are non-smudge and long wear.
18. Go For A Desktop Purifier, Instead Of A Humidifier
Holmes Desktop Air Purifier, $37, Amazon
According to Dr. Parikh, “Air purifiers are more helpful than humidifiers as humidifiers can collect mold and dust in them.” The Holmes desktop air purifier sits right on your desk or bedside table, just like a humidifier would, but it quietly and unobtrusively removes almost all airborne particles with its slim design and three speed motor.
19. Zap Allergens With UV Light
Germ Guardian Pluggable UV Sanitizer, $35, Amazon
The Germ Guardian pluggable UV sanitizer is another great replacement for your water-based purifier. It cleans the air in your home using a UV light, which zaps away odors, mold, and germs as they pass through the area. You can charge it with a USB port, and it’s small and sleek for any room.
20. For A Portable Solution, Check Out This Travel-Friendly Gadget
ClearAir Purifier, $32, Amazon
If you spend a lot of time traveling, the ClearAir purifier is a small and very portable purifier that plugs in and uses ionization to remove bacteria, viruses, fungi, and pollen. It works in 30 minute intervals, and it’s an amazing solution for bathrooms, kitchens, offices, or even hotel rooms.
Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (20)
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