Every year, with the first blooms of spring, the sneezing starts. Itchy eyes and throat, coughing. Seasonal allergies are an annual challenge for many of us, but with a few strategic moves, you can reduce the severity. By installing new air filters, using portable air purifiers, and assessing your home and work spaces for allergen-reducing opportunities, you can ease your allergies this season.
What causes seasonal allergies?
We’ve all experienced seasonal allergies or know someone who has, but what exactly are seasonal allergies? According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “Allergy symptoms occur when your immune system overreacts to something that is harmless to most people but triggers a reaction in anyone sensitive to it. This substance is known as an allergen.” Seasonal allergies, then, include allergens such as tree and grass pollen and mold spores as the most common culprits.
7 ways to reduce seasonal allergies:
1) Change your air conditioner filter
First and foremost, replacing your air conditioner filter is a necessary step in reducing seasonal allergies in your home. Not only does the routine replacement of your HVAC filters keep your heating and air conditioning system running at peak efficiency, but it also insures that the air you are breathing is clean. Here at Discount Filters, you can subscribe to automatic filter deliveries to make consistent AC filter replacement easier.
For peak allergy season air filtering, AirX Air Filters take replacing your air conditioner air filter to the next level. Designed for homes that need extra clean air, for health reasons, allergies, etc, AirX air filters go the distance. Their Air Beast air filters boast 65% more media for extreme dust holding while also maintaining 2 times the airflow of their competitors. What does this mean? Cleaner air, of course, but also lower energy use and maximum efficiency for your HVAC system. Yes, please.
2) Consider a higher MERV rating air filter
A higher MERV rating on an air conditioner filter means fewer allergens, so when choosing your replacement air filter, consider the MERV rating. The MERV rating helps you find the best air filter for your home. Discount Filters carries the OEM Aprilaire filters and aftermarket alternatives in a variety of MERV ratings, providing excellent filtration at a fraction of the cost. In most cases, these filters should be replaced every six months.
MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values) rates a filter based on its ability to capture particles in the air. Lower MERV-rated filters allow more particles into your HVAC system. When more dust, dirt, pollens, and allergens make their way into the system, they also blow through the air ducts and into the air inside your home— not what you want during allergy season (or any season, really). When choosing the best air filters for allergies, consider a filter with a higher MERV rating. Filters with MERV 11 rating or higher can help your system filter smaller allergens out of the air so you can breathe easier.
3) Purify the air in your car with cabin air filters
Did you know that your car likely has a cabin air filter installed that can be replaced? Similar to your home air filters, car air filters should be routinely replaced to improve the air quality in your car. Make sure your commute air quality is top-notch with cabin air filters from Discount Filters. Find a handy DIY instructional video here.
4) Make changes in your household cleaning routine to reduce allergens
Take your spring cleaning up a notch. Frequent dusting and vacuuming are a must if you want to reduce allergens in your home. During allergy season, you may find that your allergies are reduced when you dust, vacuum, and wipe down surfaces more often. Replace your vacuum cleaner filter to ensure that you’re getting peak performance from your vacuum, as well as the best air filtration. Add fan dust collectors on any ceiling fans to work against dust for just a few dollars.
5) Reduce carpet and soft furnishings
Carpet and soft decor and furnishings gather more dust, dander, and, of course, pollen carried in from the outdoors on our clothes and shoes. Opting for wood or laminate flooring can reduce allergens significantly, but if that isn’t an option, low-pile carpet is much preferred to higher-pile carpeting.
6) Practice smart pet hygiene
Pet owners with allergies likely already know the drill with dander, but spring can bring an extra layer (literally) of allergens to manage. Pollen catches a ride on anything that moves, it seems, so pets inadvertently carry in outdoor seasonal allergens from their walks or yard time. Be mindful of letting your animals who spend time outdoors lounging on your soft furnishings or in your bed during peak allergy season.
7) Try natural allergy remedies
In our Allergy Relief Guide, you’ll find a collection of tips for thriving during allergy season with natural allergy relief remedies. Taking (or increasing) your vitamin C is a good option, for example, because it fortifies the body’s immune system, which helps combat seasonal allergies. Using steam treatments, local honey, and certain teas can offer at-home allergy relief during peak allergy season. Finding a comfortable way through allergy season usually involves a variety of approaches to find what works best for you.
