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andreadeg_gw

OT: Air filters

14 years ago

My son has terrible seasonal allergies and is really having a hard time right now as grass and trees begin to bloom. Does anyone have a similar situation that has used an in room air filter? If so what brand and filter would you recommend for helping to reduce allergic response?

Thanks and sorry this is OT.

Comments (7)

  • 14 years ago

    Well you can't enjoy what's inside when your body is at war with what is outside.

    We used to use a Sharper Image one -- I think similar ones are now sold by Oreck, Brookstone and some others. You can also add an inline filter to your AC/heating system or use the super fine pleated filters -- and run the system on fan if you don't need the heat or ac right now just to have air passing through them.

    I am assuming you are already using an OTC or prescription antihistamine (we use zyrtec or claratin). Does he use Nasonex? Not bad as a nasal pray goes -- not very wet, but really helps. Also, using a saline spray, which is wet, before the Nasonex and other times in the day to esentially rinse pollen from the nose so there is less there to trigger the allergic response. Nasonex requires a prescription, but you should be able to get a coupon to help with the out-of-pocket. The saline nasal spray is OTC and about $2-3 a bottle.

    You can also try things like shoes at the door, changing his clothes, et least his shirt, when he comes inside, washing hair more frequently -- just a rinse or light baby shampoo lather will get out a lot of pollen. Switch from morning showers to night so the pollen doesn't go to bed with him. If you have dogs, you might want to hose them down and/or bathe them more often too.

    We are in our worst weeks of allergy season here. The trees have been blooming and the pines are just beginning to drop the pollen that turns everything yellow for 2-3 weeks. DH has been coughing constantly for a week now and I figure we have two more unless the Nasonex he added yesterday helps enough to get past it. Good luck!

  • 14 years ago

    We use the Whirlpool Whispure 510 in my son's room for his allergies.
    It was highly rated by Consumer Reports.
    It is as quiet as promised and seems to work well.
    It does not give off dangerous ozone like some air purifiers do.

  • 14 years ago

    I highly recommend the IQ Air Filter....we have one of their HealthPro series which has 3 filters (one for dust, a charcoal filter for odors, and a HEPA filter). Neither the machine nor the filters are cheap, but they are hospital safe, create no ozone or ions, and seem very effective for multiple allergies, asthma, and lung issues in our household. None of the low-priced machines helped. Obviously windows need to be kept closed during "bloom" season and any other indoor air quality issues addressed...

  • 14 years ago

    Thank you so much for all the ideas and feedback about air purifiers! It's much appreciated!

  • 14 years ago

    When dd was young, the allergist recommended a Hunter, and I'm sure there is a bigger selection now. But he said not to bother running it during the day when people are coming in & out of the house all the time. He said it would do the most good at night, in her room, with the door closed. The sound of it running bothered dd at first, but it did help.

  • 14 years ago

    We have a Rabbit Air filter - it's the best! THe machine is more expensive than some to start with but the HEPA filters last much longer than the tiny thin ones in many machines. Check out the product and their reviews on Amazon.

  • 14 years ago

    We used an oreck for years and I really liked it. We both smoke and I have to say it did a great job, though the noise could be annoying when put on "high". I also liked that it could be wall mounted. I'd love to have another one. We gave that one to DH's mom when she became ill with emphysema and it became lost after she passed.

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