How to fight the 5 most common allergies
Allergies mean utter misery for most sufferers. The good news is there are ways to combat those stuffy noses, watery eyes and other likely symptoms. Here’s a look at how to protect yourself from the big five allergens: grass, mould, ragweed, trees and dust.
Grass
If you suffer from grass pollen allergies, you’re in good company. Around 400 million people worldwide have the same affliction. In the United States, prime-time for grass allergies in northern regions is generally late spring or early summer, when grasses tend to pollinate. On the other hand, in southern areas, because grasses may pollinate year-round, you can suffer from allergic symptoms just about any time.
Protecting yourself: Mow your lawn diligently, since shorter grass is less likely to release pollen. And wear a mask when you do. Also, consider re-landscaping your lawn with allergy-safe options such as ivy or Spanish moss.
Mould
Because mould thrives in wet and warm environments, especially at temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit and above, summer-time can be a big season for the stuff. On the other hand, autumn has its own special problems: When you rake all those falling leaves, you are likely releasing fungal spores into the air.
Protecting yourself: Use an air conditioner in the summer to keep temperatures below the level mould needs to grow rapidly. In the autumn, make sure your gutters are clean and working properly, so water drains away from your home. And at all times, ventilate your bathroom when showering to prevent moisture from building up.
Trees
Especially allergy-inducing trees are those with fine, powdery pollen that can be easily blown away by a strong breeze. Breathing in just a small amount is enough to cause a reaction. If you’re in the Midwest, March and early April are tricky, because that’s when maple, elm and ash spread their seeds. Texas, on the other hand, has many mountain cedars, which can blanket entire sections of the state in late winter and early spring. But December has its own tree allergy problems, thanks to mould in Christmas trees that can cause allergic reactions.
Protecting yourself: Prune back the branches of problematic trees in your yard to reduce the amount of pollen they release. Or, better yet, remove the whole tree and replace it with a more allergy-friendly variety.
Dust
Dust mites, microscopic critters that measure 0.2–0.3 millimeters in length, typically feed on skin flakes from humans and animals. Major triggers of allergic reactions to dust mites are digestive enzymes from the mite’s gut that exist in its feces and exoskeleton. You’ll find them almost anywhere, from carpeting to upholstered furniture.
Protecting yourself: Use special filters to block dust coming out of heating vents. Change bed linen weekly, washing it in hot water. Use dust-mite-proof bed clothes, and cover pillows and mattresses with hypoallergenic covers. And keep the air temperature low, since dust mites thrive in warmer temperatures.
Ragweed
One measly ragweed plant can release about 1 billion grains of pollen over the course of a ragweed season, which generally is late summer and early fall. It’s also a major cause of hay fever, as many as half of all cases of pollen-related allergic rhinitis in North America are caused by pollen from the plant.
Protecting yourself: Try to choose indoor activities if the pollen count is high. If you do something outside, make it early: The lowest concentration is around 6:00 am. Also, keep your windows closed during allergy season to avoid letting pollen into your home.
Year-round protection
Whether the problem is ragweed, trees, dust, mould or grass, a HEPA air purifier, like Coway Airmega, can work to eliminate allergens from the air and help you breathe easier.
Disclaimers
1 Airmega air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander in the air based on KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing. They have been tested according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers. Tested with Airmega Aim, 50, 100, 150, Tower AP-1216L, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
2Our HEPA filter complies with IEST-RP-CC007 standards at speed level 1 as tested by SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance). SGS's test report only reflects SGS's evaluation of the sample and does not reflect the evaluation of the batch of goods from which the sample was taken. Tested with Airmega 100, 150, 160, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 250 Art, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
3 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to JEM 1467: 2015 condition, the concentration of acetic acid was proven to be reduced up to 99.5% in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on actual environment. Tested with Airmega 150, Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
4 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022, showed result of over 99.5% removal rate of common household gases including Ammonia, Acetaldehyde, Acetic acid, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Benzene, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) within 30 minutes. Results may vary in different environments and not all odors or gas particles may be removed. Tested with Airmega MightyS AP-1512HHS, 250S, 300S, 400S, 350, 450
5 Test conducted using Coway Allergen filter media (5×5 cm) placed in a polyethylene bag. The allergen solution and sample were immersed in 2 mL of phosphate buffer (100 ng/mL) prior to the reaction and heat-sealed to specimen size. The reaction was maintained at 4°C for 24 hours. Nichinichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. conducted the test using ELISA to measure allergen concentration. Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
6 Removal rates of Ammonia (NH₃) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) were tested in a 1 m³ chamber under EL608:2023 conditions for 30 minutes. Gas Detector Tubes were used for measurement, and testing was conducted by KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories). Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
7 Reduction rates of Naphthalene, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide were tested using the Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH in 1㎥ chamber, following JEM-1467:2015 standards. Tests were conducted by Intertek. Actual performance may vary depending on the living environment. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
9 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted with Methyl mercaptan, Isovaleraldehyde, Isovaleric acid in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber with a test time of 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of over 99.5% was achieved. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
10 Tested by the Guangzhou Institute of Microbiology, exposed the filter media to protein solutions for 24 hours under ISO 4333-2022 standard. The results showed strong reduction performance: >99.79% for pollen, >99.60% for dog allergen, >99.90% for cat allergen, and >99.80% for dust mites matter allergen. Actual results may vary depending on room size, airflow, and pollutant levels. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
11 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber for 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of >99.5% was achieved for Formaldehyde and Toluene in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
12 Tested by Intertek. The evaluation was conducted against designated test materials: Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. The test was performed in a sealed 1.0×1.0×1.0 m (1.0 m³) odor chamber at a test room temperature of (23±2)°C (measured between 23.6∼23.9°C) and a test room humidity of (45±5)% R.H. (measured between 40∼48)% Relative Humidity. It met the odor removal rate of ≥99.9% for Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
