Spring is blossoming, bringing with it nature’s spectacular explosion of color and creativity. Accompanying spring’s verdant beauty, however, is something much less appealing — pollen and other allergens in the air. Indeed, for millions of Americans, allergies are a near-constant nuisance regardless of the season, affecting their daily lives, work attendance, productivity and overall well-being. And beyond seasonal pollen, dust mites, mold and pet dander also take their toll on our health.
For one-quarter of all Americans, managing allergies can feel like a battle they just can’t win. Thankfully, modern technology and innovative gear are making it easier than ever to detect and control allergens and minimize their impact. To help you wade through the available tech, devices and gear, CoastConnect will highlight some of the most frequently recommended items to help you tackle allergies head-on and improve your health and quality of life.
- Wearable Allergy Trackers
One of the first steps you can take to fight allergies is to be better aware of the presence of those allergens in the first place, including which allergens are particularly high on a given day. With technology advancing rapidly, wearable devices are now available to help you track allergens in your environment when you’re on the go.
The Atmotube PRO connects to your smartphone and provides real-time information about many allergens around you, both outdoors and indoors, including pollen levels. Its sophisticated sensors track other air pollutants as well, like dust and soot, allowing you to adjust your environment or take preventative measures.
- Indoor Air Purifiers
Of course, outdoor allergens are only one source of the sniffling, eye-watering and itchiness of allergy season — indoor allergens often irritate as much as the seemingly fresh air! When you’re inside, one of the most effective ways to combat airborne allergens is to utilize a high-quality air purifier.
Allergy experts believe it’s essential to choose an air purifier equipped with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) technology. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, HEPA filters are particularly effective at capturing dust, mold spores, pet dander, and pollen that hide surreptitiously indoors — up to 99.97% of them. Some advanced air purifiers even come with smart technology that monitors air quality in real time and adjusts the filtration levels accordingly.
The Coway Airmega 400S is acclaimed for its quiet operation and impressive filtration system. This app-controlled air purifier is ideal for larger rooms while keeping tabs on overall air quality. To handle a smaller space while still using a smartphone app and the power of a HEPA filter, the Levoit Core 300 is a nice alternative with a lower price tag, too.
- Portable HEPA Air Purifiers for Travel
Having cleaner air with fewer allergens doesn’t have to be limited to your own home. If you’re frequently on the go or work in an office or cubicle, a portable HEPA air purifier can make a big difference in minimizing exposure to allergens.
Unlike the larger purifiers highlighted above, these compact devices are snug and sleek enough for a hotel room or even your car. They can ensure that you always have clean air to breathe, no matter where you are or what the elements throw at you.
The Pure Enrichment PureZone Mini Portable Air Purifier features a cordless, compact design that’s also rechargeable, making this air purifier perfect for use while traveling. The IQAir Atem Car Air Purifier is another portable option, convenient whether you’re running errands or going on a road trip, Though it’s on the pricier side, it can be especially useful during long drives that expose you to different kinds of pollen and other allergens in different regions and landscapes.
- Smart Vacuum Cleaners
Beyond using air purifiers to remove indoor allergens from the air, eliminating them from the surfaces of your home is also critical for allergy sufferers. The floors, carpets and rugs of your home are natural places for allergens of all kinds to settle and multiply quickly. But thanks to advances in technology, smart vacuum cleaners can greatly improve the overall cleanliness of your home and reduce allergen accumulation.
Many of the best smart vacuums can sense and detect messy surface areas of floors and carpets while avoiding contact with objects like furniture or appliances. With their savvy sensors, they can detect dust, pet hair and other allergens, ensuring thorough cleaning. For the most allergy-prone households, there are models that come equipped with HEPA filters, just like the air purifiers highlighted above.
Though it’s an investment, the Narwal Freo X Ultra Robot Vacuum and Mop’s sensing technology is among the best on the market, and it finds and traps even microscopic particles like dust and pet dander with its HEPA filter. A less expensive option is a handheld vacuum like the Shark Detect Clean & Empty, which, while certainly less flashy than the Narwal, still captures significant amounts of allergens through its HEPA filter.
With the right combination of gear and technology, you can significantly reduce the impacts of allergies on your health and lifestyle.