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Dehumidifiers can help improve indoor air quality, but do they really help with allergies? We know that reducing the humidity in our homes can significantly protect our health, including alleviating asthma symptoms and irritation. Dehumidifiers have also been found to help with snoring.
These devices work by maintaining healthy humidity levels, which prevents the spread of dust mites, mold, and other allergens. In this article, we explore how dehumidifiers affect allergies and whether they help create a more comfortable and safe environment for people who suffer from them.
You'll also find plenty of other informative articles about dehumidifiers on Live Science, including whether basements need a dehumidifier and how to clean a dehumidifier. Plus, check out our recommended models in our guide to the best dehumidifiers.
Do dehumidifiers help with allergies?
The quality of the air we breathe is deteriorating, experts warn. “The rate at which indoor air is renewed with fresh air is now ten times slower than it was 30 years ago,” scientists wrote in the BMJ in 1998. This leads to increased humidity, which has a negative impact on our health, especially for people with allergies and chronic conditions such as asthma.
So do dehumidifiers really help with allergies? Yes, and here's how.
Dehumidifiers work by removing excess moisture from the air and maintaining a stable relative humidity level. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends an optimal relative humidity level of 35 to 50 percent. At this level, they inhibit the growth of dust mites, the microscopic creatures that cause most allergies.
Dehumidifiers equipped with a high-quality HEPA filter or a filter with an antibacterial coating can have a positive effect on seasonal allergies (Urologic Nursing) caused by exposure to allergens such as grasses and especially pollen. As air passes through the dehumidifier, particles are captured by the filter, cleaning the air. In addition to pollen, some dehumidifiers also have pet hair filters that can reduce — but not completely eliminate — the presence of pet hair in the environment, reducing allergic reactions and irritation.
Do dehumidifiers help fight dust mites?
Dust mites are one of the leading causes of indoor allergies, scientists have found (BMJ). Dogs and cats take the top three spots. Microscopic dust mite populations thrive in damp conditions and can cause telltale signs of a dust mite allergy, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), including nasal congestion, itchy eyes or skin, wheezing and coughing.
Sourse: www.livescience.com
