The environment is filled with a huge amount of allergens. People suffering from bronchial asthma or prone to allergic reactions suffer if there is a lot of dust, animal hair in the room. One of the effective means of dealing with allergies is an air purifier. With it, you can create a favorable atmosphere in the house, due to which the number of attacks will decrease. A competent approach to air purification will help people with an allergic reaction and patients with bronchial asthma, pathologies of the respiratory system.
Allergens in the air
Even regular cleaning in the apartment will not help to achieve perfectly clean air without allergens. Dust mites, pollen of flowers, fumes from household chemicals irritate the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract.
Animal hair
Allergies to animal hair can occur in both children and adults. Most often, the owners begin to suffer from allergic reactions to pet hair when the weather is cold and there is no way to keep the windows open constantly.
An allergy does not occur on the animal’s hair itself, but on a secret secreted by the skin. An air humidifier for asthma and allergies can help cope with the problem. It is important to choose a device that will eliminate not only dust particles, but also odors that can cause an attack.
Dust
More than 40% of people are allergic to dust. Household dust is a whole complex of components. It includes various mineral and organic components, particles of the epidermis of the skin, insect waste products, book dust, mold spores and fungi. All these particles can cause severe forms of allergic reactions. They can be manifested by a rash on the skin, conjunctivitis, severe cough, shortness of breath.
Pollen
An air wash will help reduce seizures in people who are allergic to pollen. The reaction can be seasonal, at the time of flowering of a certain plant, or constant, for example, to a domestic flower. An allergy occurs when the smallest inhalation of pollen fragments occurs.
The principle of operation of the air purifier
The air purifier must fulfill a wide range of functions. Thanks to the installation of several filters, the multi-stage cleaning system removes viruses, fungal spores and bacteria from the air. Due to the constant circulation of air, its quality improves, which positively affects the condition of people suffering from asthma or allergic reactions.
Most air purifiers have a humidification and ionization function. In such devices, plates are installed that should delay allergens. Before choosing a device for the home where asthmatics or allergy sufferers live, you need to understand its principle of operation.
The anti-allergenic air purifier functions as follows:
- the device takes air masses from the room;
- The filter system installed inside cleans the air of contaminants.
Fully purified air is fed back into the room by a fan.
Varieties of air purifiers for allergy sufferers and asthmatics
When choosing an air purifier for an apartment, you need to understand that the filter is the most important part of the device. Clean air depends on it.
An allergenic humidifier should perform the following functions:
- destroy harmful bacteria and microorganisms;
- remove dust and other allergens from air masses.
To perform these tasks, several types of filters have been developed.
Water filtration
Humidifiers with a hydrofiltration system are equipped with water filters. They are divided into two types:
- disk
- conical.
If a cone filter is installed in the device, the formation of wet fog occurs during its rotation. Air passes through it during operation, dust particles and other allergens settle and remain in a special tank.
The disc filter has plates with small gaps. Dust sticks to the plates and is washed off with water. Such devices simultaneously purify and moisturize the air. Disk filters have a minus. They can hold only large particles. In addition, daily need to change the water.
Only distilled water is suitable for the humidifier. If the tank is not cleaned correctly, harmful bacteria will multiply in it.
Photocatalysis
An ultraviolet lamp and catalyst plates are built into the filter of this type of device. They are made from titanium dioxide. All bacteria and microorganisms that are exposed to radiation enter a chemical reaction with oxygen. As a result, they decompose into carbon dioxide and water. A great advantage of an ultraviolet cleaner is its antibacterial effect. But such a device has a drawback: it cannot pick up building dust.
Mechanical filtration
In devices with a mechanical filtration system, a special particle trap is built in. This is a filter made of fibrous material that resembles a folded accordion in appearance. Incoming air passes through it. The main advantage is the ability to retain even the smallest particles. The air after passing through such a filter will be perfectly clean.
It is important to regularly monitor the state of the filter itself. If it is too polluted, dust particles and harmful microorganisms will get into the air. The disadvantage of such a device is that it does not remove unpleasant odors in the room.
Not all air purifiers are suitable for asthmatics. Do not buy models with carbon and electrostatic filters. They are not able to provide the necessary protection against dust and allergens in the air.
Recommendations for choosing an air purifier
To find the right air purifier for allergy sufferers, it is recommended that you pay attention to the following criteria:
- The power of the device is one of the main factors that affects the operation of the cleaner. The larger the area, the higher the power should be.
- Maximum cleaning area - this parameter is specified by the manufacturer for each model.
- Control parameters: devices with mechanical and electronic control are allocated. Mechanical control is installed in budget devices. If the cleaner is electronically controlled, the user can independently create a program and an on-time interval.
- Type of power from the mains or battery. This is an important criterion that allows you to rearrange the device in a convenient place without being tied to the presence of outlets.
- Noise level - for comfortable use of the cleaners, it should be no more than 35 dB. The device must work continuously, so a high noise level will be inconvenient.
- The size of the device - it is best to give preference to compact devices that do not take up much space and fit well into the interior.
These are the main criteria that you should pay attention to when choosing a cleaner. But there are additional functions that affect the operation of the device:
- the presence of an ultraviolet lamp - with its help you can neutralize the air from fungi and bacteria, but the lamps have a limited life, they need to be changed regularly;
- the ability to produce ozone, which is necessary for air disinfection;
- saturation of air with ions that contribute to dust settling;
- the ability to adjust the speed of operation of the device - this function allows the user to independently set the mode and speed of rotation of the fan;
- the presence of indicators indicating the level of contamination of the filter;
- built-in timer for setting the device on and off;
- remote control for ease of use.
Every year, manufacturers expand the range of additional functions that facilitate the use of the device.
Rating of the best models of 2020
Air purifiers have become a popular way to deal with allergens in apartments and offices. Every year they are produced in a wide range of modifications. Because of the wide selection, it is often difficult to opt for a model. The most popular devices include:
- The AIC XJ-3800A1 is a mid-range cleaner. Its cost starts from 16,000 rubles. The device weighs no more than 7 kg, is able to purify air on an area of 70 sq.m. The cleaning system includes three types of filters; an ionizer and an ultraviolet lamp are integrated as additional functions. Convenient and comfortable operation using the remote control. The main advantage of the device is its silent operation. There is no sensor for detecting allergens in the air.
- Ballu AP-155 is a Russian-made device. You can buy an air cleaner of this model at a price of 9000 rubles. The device is lightweight not more than 4.5 kg. Its radius of action is 20 sq.m. Therefore, they acquire such a device only for small rooms. The purifier has a built-in function of an ionizer and pollution level control. Installed HEPA filters of the middle class. The model is equipped with an electronic control unit, so you can independently control the evaporation rate. The device can be set to delay the inclusion. The plus of the device is the low price of consumables, ease of operation, silent operation.
- Daikin MC70LVM is a premium device. It is designed to purify indoor air no more than 46 sq.m. The weight of the device is about 8 kg. Low noise level - 16 dB. The big advantage is a three-stage cleaning system, the presence of a remote control, air ionization and purity control. The device is equipped with a timer, which is located on the control panel. The device helps to cope with attacks in asthmatics and allergy sufferers, as well as people suffering from respiratory diseases. It is a reliable device that attracts with its stylish design and low energy consumption. The downside is the high cost - from 34,000 rubles.
- Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 2 is a model of a Chinese manufacturer, which can be purchased at a price of 11,000 rubles. The device is designed to operate indoors no more than 34 sq.m. It copes with a lot of dust and various allergens. The device has a built-in cleanliness control function, as soon as the filter is completely dirty, the indicator on the housing lights up. You can install programs, adjust the mode using your smartphone. The model attracts not only with its technical capabilities, but also with its attractive appearance, stylish design, ease of operation.
- For small rooms no more than 15 sq.m. You can purchase the Ecology-Plus Super-Plus-Turbo model. This is a budget option, starting at a cost of 3800 rubles. The control of the device is mechanical. There are two built-in indicators that indicate the level of pollution and nutrition. The disadvantages include the material of the device body and the need to often change filters.
Air purifiers are a great option for people with asthma and allergies.Due to the ability to capture and effectively neutralize any impurities in the air, its impeccable purity is ensured and the number of attacks is reduced.
