Study on Best Ventilation Proves Inconclusive
Medscape Medical News found that both open air ventilation and a sealed building caused about the same amount of allergens.The study compared the allergies found in people in two buildings–one sealed and one with open air ventilation–and found not much difference between the two. As the article states, “the results balanced out, identifying 19.5% of workers in the sealed building and 20.4% of workers in the nonsealed building as having allergic rhinitis, a non-significant difference.” While the results were inconclusive, one thing was sure, all buildings contain allergens, regardless of the ventilation system.

Sealed Ventilation
Most buildings today are built to be tighter, more sealed homes. The idea is allergens (among other things) won’t get in, but the problem rests in the fact that once in, the allergens aren’t going anywhere. And for folks with asthma, this can get downright nasty. This video highlights some of the problems of sealed homes, and points out that, in Canada, a HEPA air purifier can possibly count as a medical expense and cut down on taxes. But it is vital to keep new, clean HEPA air filters in the purifier.

Natural (or Open) Ventilation
Given that sealed ventilation buildings can trap allergens within their walls, it would make sense that having some sort of open ventilation would keep the allergens out by allowing an easy escape. Unfortunately, now the reverse logic applies: while allergens can easily bounce out, they can also easily pop in. And often times, houses or office buildings are not built with air flow in mind. It’s important to have windows set up in a way that allows for a steady stream of air to flow throughout the building, thus allowing mold spores and other allergens floating in the air to pass through easily.

Asthma Air Purifier
Regardless of what type of ventilation you feel works best for you and and your family, it’s important to keep an air purifier with clean filters around. One way or another, allergens are going to find their way into the house. Whether in the air, on your clothes, shoes, pets or hair, they will find a way. But an air purifier is a great way to fight them. It literally does what it is called: it purifies the air by sucking air in, catching all the allergens in a filter and letting clean air out. And breathing clean air is nice!

The holidays might be beautiful, but they can wreak havoc on the allergy-prone. Between the trees, wreaths and everyone gathering indoors, the mold, pollen and other allergens can build up to an alarming degree. Even some of the most thoughtful presents offered can sneakily carry allergens into the house.

Following a few simple holiday rules can help everyone breath easier.

Using real evergreen trees can trigger allergies. But make sure you store fake ones correctly.

–Avoid live trees, wreaths or garland

–Store fake trees properly

–Keep your body healthy and your nose clean

–Avoid allergen-ridden presents

–Keep all air purifier filters up-to-date

Avoid Live Trees, Wreaths or Garland

As is probably fairly obvious, live evergreen trees (Christmas trees) can carry pollen and mold. But the evergreens that are used as live trees as well as in wreaths and garland also carry a substance called Terpene, a type of hydrocarbon. In layman’s terms, it can trigger allergies fairly easily. The best choice is to get a fake tree, which can look just as real as a live evergreen but won’t attack your allergies unless you store it improperly.

Store Fake Trees Properly

Like anything else that is stored, especially something that will probably be stored for about eleven months, it is important to buffer your fake tree from the world of allergens. Always wipe it down before storing, and make sure you put it some sort of container–the more air-tight the better. When setting it up, wipe it down again. Keep your fake tree as clean as possible so you can reap the benefits of having a fake tree!

Keep Body Healthy, Nose Clear

It is always a good idea to keep the body healthy, of course. But the less healthy you are, the more susceptible you are to allergies. Don’t let end-of-the-year stress keep you from getting the proper amount of sleep and exercise. Also, it’s a good idea to keep your nose clear. Regularly using a natural saltwater rinse will help keep pollens and allergens out of your nose and thus out of your system. And since you’ll probably come in contact with evergreens, even if you protect your own house, this is a great idea for the holidays.

Avoid Allergen-Ridden Presents

This is where a lot of allergens sneak in, but it’s also hard to come up with a comprehensive list of presents that could hold allergens. If it’s alive, it probably has allergens. If it’s not alive, use your best judgment. Though there are things that can be done to keep your presents safe. No one wants to deny a child a stuffed animal, but they do carry allergens. The chair of public education at the American Institute of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) says, “Take a stuffed toy, put it in a freezer bag, and then put it in the freezer for three to five hours per week.”

Keep All Air Purifier Filters Up-to-Date

While having an air purifier is a great idea, especially during the winter when most of the air is not getting much circulation, it is important to keep your HEPA air purifier filters clean and up-to-date. If they fill with allergens, they will become generally useless.

Following these rules can keep the holidays merry and joyful instead of sneezy and wheezy! So, take care of yourself and have a fantastic holiday season.

AllerAir Allergy Relief Products

Further more, these particular aversions can severely interfere with your quality of life, and can sometimes lead to more severe medical issues if left unchecked. Polluted air is increasingly being linked to asthma, sinus disturbance, and multiple chemical sensitivity. Because of this growing problem, Douglas Allergy Relief source researches and stocks only the finest quality allergy relief products on the market.

Among these brands is AllerAir Industries, a manufacturing company based in the U.S. and Canada. AllerAir specializes in advanced protection air purifiers. These purifiers feature carbon beds made up of actual granular sized carbon pieces, and feature the deepest carbon beds on the market. The chemical, carbon, functions by absorbing gases, odors, and chemicals, which is done more effectively with granular pieces rather than the more commonly produced crushed carbon filters.

AllerAir filters also feature pre-filters, increasing the level of filtration, as well as metal casing and powder-coated paint to prevent additional gas distribution. AllerAir is a company that believes having this available technology, is a responsibility to provide the cleanest air possible. With such a strong mission, and product, Douglas invests in the outstanding allergy control products of the AllerAir company. If you struggle with airborne allergies, research an investment in AllerAir products!

Your allergy enemies in the winter differ from your common outdoor allergy causes, and they might surprise you. For instance:

1. Your pillow: What’s that dust that flies up when you fluff your pillow? Dust, down and dust mites can build up right in the place where you lay your head, causing congestion and allergic reactions. What allergy relief products can help you? If you invest in hypoallergenic bedding, you can prevent dust mites and allergens from collecting in your mattresses, mattress pads, comforters, and encasements. Our Coyuchi, Ogalalla and Allersoft brand bedding will let you rest easy. Even if you don’t have hypoallergenic bedding, using allergy control products to wash your bedding can relieve your allergy symptoms.
2. Your pets: Although you love them, if you have indoor pets that you will be sharing your home with all winter, they might be the source of some of your allergy problems. HEPA vacuums can help you battle the dander. Our favorite brands for this particular allergy relief product are Sebo, Dyson and Simplicity. You can also keep some of your rooms pet-free for a few months to get you through the winter months with less irritation.
3. Mold: If you have an older home, mold may already be present in your walls, your bathroom or your basement. Plus, mold can obviously develop on plants and food as well, and even a small amount can trigger an allergic reaction or a asthma attack. HEPA filters and air purifers can help remove mold from the air; check out out mold allergy relief products and find your solution.

Dander is the key culprit when it comes to pet allergies, but there are simple changes you can make around your house that can greatly reduce your exposure to your pet’s dander. Vacuuming your house as often as you can is the most obvious step. Pet dander loves carpet. There are hundreds of thousands of tiny fibers it can hide in and hang onto. When you’re vacuuming your carpet regularly, you don’t give the dander a chance to get settled in, and if you’re using a vacuum with a HEPA filter, you’re cleaning your air at the same time. If you have hardwood floors you know how pet hair can gather in corners and under couches like tumbleweed. These should be vacuumed often as well.

Head dander off early by bathing your pet at least once a week. You can never eliminate your pet’s dander altogether– it’s like skin cells; it will always be there. But you can reduce the buildup on Fido’s fur with frequent coat care. Just make sure you use the right shampoo so that you don’t dry out your pet’s skin. Brushing is also important, but should be done outside, otherwise all the dander you brush off will fly into the air inside your house. There are also allergy relief products that you can smooth onto the coat that will cut down on the dander buildup. Ask a vet for recommendations.

It’s hard to designate a specific area for your pet, particularly if you have a cat. People think of their pets as members of the family, and you wouldn’t confine Aunt Marge to the laundry room, would you? Since most pets have the run of the house, it might be easier to designate one pet-free room. Your bedroom is a great option for this since it’s where you sleep and where your clothes are. If your pet is never allowed in your room it’s going to be harder for the allergens to get there, which will make sleeping allergy free a whole lot easier. Unfortunately, allergens are sneaky and like to travel through the air. But you can trap allergens and strip them out of the air is with an air purifier. And air purifiers don’t just trap pet allergens. They’ll clean other types of allergens and impurities from the air as well. You’ll feel better knowing that you’re not the only one in your house benefiting from cleaner air.

Pet allergies don’t have to keep you from owning a pet. Today there is a whole world of pet allergy relief products and tricks that make living with your best friend not only tolerable, but downright pleasant. For more tips on enjoying your pet, even with allergies, learn more at the ASPCA.

The IQAir HealthPro Compact from Douglas Allergy Relief is a Swiss designed and manufactured purifier that features the same Ultra High-Performance Particle Control for allergy sufferers as the rest of the HealthPro series, but in a smaller design. Equipped to remove particle air pollutants from indoor air, HealthPro allergy control products keep home atmospheres comfortable and free of common in air pollutants like:

Pollen – Though created by trees and flower outdoors, pollen particles find there way into your home everytime a door or window is opened.

Mold and mildew – Damp areas like basements, kitchens and showers are usual breeding grounds for mold and mildew to multiple.

Animal Dander – The family pet is the (adorable) allergy irritant for those sensitive to dander.

Home air purifiers are only a collection of the many allergy control products from Douglas Allergy Relief that are designed to make your life easier and more enjoyable.

A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) Air Purifier is a crucial component in keeping any home allergy free and healthier overall. While your vacuums and dust rags take care of the more obvious allergens, in order to eliminate airborne allergens like pollen, mold spores or second hand smoke, you need an air purifier. That’s where Douglas can help.

Our HEPA Air Purifiers trap microscopic dust and allergens in state-of-the-art filters, removing them from the air you breathe and reducing your risk of household allergies. When air is forced through the filter, the larger allergens particles cannot pass and stick to the fibers. All you end up breathing is clean, fresh air that is better for you and your family.

HEPA Air Purifiers are not only good for your lungs, they’re good for the environment, and produce no harmful byproducts. When you buy your HEPA Air Purifier from Douglas you can conveniently pick up your replacement filters- just one more way Douglas provides you with easy allergy relief. Browse our online store or stop into our Highland Park location today!