I have terrible allergies. These products are helping me survive this spring

As a long-time allergy sufferer, I have vivid childhood memories of when I had to allergy-proof my bedroom by adding hypoallergenic covers on my pillows and reducing my stuffed animal collection to avoid dust mite allergies. As an adult and wellness writer, I wish I knew what I know now.

Allergy hindsight is 20/20, especially when your eyes aren’t red or itchy.

Going into this spring, I felt especially prepared for blocking Allergy symptoms – It has been paid. Despite seeing pollen, my familiar enemy, on every sidewalk in my neighborhood, I have never had an allergic reaction. This is huge.

Although usually May Worst month for allergiesI usually have at least one allergic reaction by now. I think the following products are what make a huge difference.

1. My air purifiers

I’m like this Air purifier I’m such a fan that I currently have two, one in each of the high-traffic areas of my apartment: my bedroom and living room. When allergy season begins in the spring, I usually keep it running on low to continuously capture allergens and prevent them from entering my air ducts. I turn it up when my allergy symptoms are particularly bad, or when there are wildfires in the area, as I live in Southern California.

The two I currently use and recommend are Orancy Mode Air Purifier and Renewal of pneumatic devices.

Although I always knew that air purifiers could capture pollutants, mold spores, allergens, and smoke, I had no idea they could prevent disease by filtering out viruses, too. During CNET’s lab testing, we found The best air purifiers for exactly this purpose: the Shark HP232 On low fan setting and Kawaii Ermega 400S On high fan setting.

Pro tip: Make sure to change your air purifier filter regularly, otherwise this may happen Spit allergens and other pollutants Back to the air you breathe.

2. My robot vacuum

As someone who is allergic to pollen and dust, keeping your home clean is essential. To keep my floors clean, I rely on help from my friends Robot vacuum.

While it does not have a HEPA filter Reduce particles That end up in the air during vacuuming, an older model that is no longer sold, my Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni robot vacuum still removes dust and other particles from my floors, keeping them from flying into the air. Plus, the disposable trash can keeps me from manually emptying allergens into the trash, where I might also inhale them.

To mitigate the particles being released into the air while my robot vacuum is doing its work, I always have my windows open or my air purifiers running.

both Mova V50 Ultra and Ecofax Depot T80 Omni Robotic vacuum cleaners contain HEPA filters.

3. Air quality monitoring devices

While my Airthings Renew air purifier has a built-in air quality light that glows green, yellow, or red depending on levels of PM2.5 particles (inhalable particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometers and smaller), my Oransi model doesn’t, so I rely on Show Air Objects Plus An air quality monitor between the living room and kitchen to keep me updated on the air condition in that area.

In addition to temperature, air pressure, and humidity, View Plus tracks VOCs (volatile organic compounds and airborne chemicals), carbon dioxide (CO2), radon (a radioactive gas), and particulate matter (PM2.5).

I also have a built-in Airthings device Wave enhancement Monitoring the air quality in my bedroom. Since the brand’s Renew Air Purifier Sensor only measures PM2.5 particles, I use the Wave Enhance to measure temperature, humidity, air pressure, carbon dioxide, VOCs, ambient noise, and light to see how different levels affect my sleep.

All Airthings displays connect to an app on my phone, where I set up notifications to alert me when… Air quality Drops and give advice on improving it. The app also has a pollen forecast that lets me know when it’s time to turn on the air purifiers, but you can easily check the pollen count online or by Using other applications.

4. Customizable humidifier

Allergies can cause inflammation and irritation in the nasal passages, which can be soothed by the moisture they produce Moisturizer. Since my bedroom tends to be dry, this is all the more reason to use mine Levoit Oasis Mist Humidifier.

However — and this is a big one — it’s important to note that by increasing humidity, a humidifier can make your space hospitable to mold and dust mites, which are allergens. To mitigate this, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends keeping your home humidified Between 40% and 50%. An air quality monitor or humidifier that allows you to adjust the humidity level, like the Levoit model I use, can help you maintain this balance.

I recommend that you consult your doctor or allergist to see if a humidifier is right for your specific needs. If so, you’ll also need to make sure you clean your humidifier regularly and change its filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Nasal wash with saline solution

After developing a serious sinus infection last spring, my doctor recommended I use a saline nasal rinse whenever I notice symptoms of allergies or illness, or when my pollen count is high. Specifically, she advised me to use Arm and Hammer Simply Saline Nasal Care Daily Spray.

Allergy experts also agree that saline nasal rinses can do this Helps prevent allergy symptoms. If nothing relieves your symptoms, talk to your doctor about allergy treatment, such as antihistamine tablets or steroid nasal spray.

Bottom line

Allergies are the worst. Plain and simple. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing we can do to combat them. As someone with seasonal allergies, I can say that once I started using the above devices and products, my allergies became more manageable.

Now, I can enjoy spring flowers instead of seeing them as the roots of my stuffy-nose and itchy-eye misery.