While spring has come and gone, your allergies might still be lingering. So, you should make your environment as healthy and safe as possible. There are a few home tech gadgets to consider when trying to protect yourself from indoor allergies. CNET experts spoke to allergy and medical professionals, and they both say an air purifier or humidifier can be effective. Humidifiers, though, if used improperly, can cause more harm than good. "If there is too much humidity in a room, it can promote the growth of dust mites and mold," said Brian Greenberg, an allergist, immunologist and scientific advisor to 1MD Nutrition.
"Air purifiers filter the air of allergens, so they are more effective at reducing and preventing allergy symptoms," says Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist with Allergy and Asthma Network.
Here's what you need to know.
Air purifiers vs. humidifiers
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Air purifiers and humidifiers work in very different ways. Air purifiers are generally considered very helpful for environmental allergies.
"In general, air purifiers work by taking air in through a variety of filters and then sending it out particle-free. There are five basic types of filters -- electrostatic, ionizer, ozone, UV and HEPA. HEPA air purifiers are the most effective and are made by a wide range of companies," said Dr. Greenberg.
The better the filter inside the air purifier, the stronger the airflow and the more the filter can remove from the surrounding environment. Typically, these filters need to be replaced or cleaned periodically for optimal function and to notice a substantial reduction in allergy symptoms.
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Humidifiers are devices that either boil water or spray a fine mist of water into the environment in small droplets or vapor so that the air has a higher moisture level. Those who suffer from allergies often experience uncomfortable nasal passages and itchy eyes anyway, and dry air can exacerbate these feelings, as well as trigger asthma symptoms and eczema. For this reason, people living in dry environments sometimes experience symptom relief when they incorporate a humidifier into their environment.
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