Do air cleaners help with allergies, and if so, do you need to spend a lot?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m not sure how I could expand on the thread title.

I have hay fever which comes and goes and these last few days it’s been DRIVING ME CRAZY. I live in a condo apartment and apparently the air conditioner isn’t helping.

Do store-bought air filters actually have an effect worth paying for - either for allergies or anything else beneficial?

2

We have a sort of filter machine with a HEPA filter in. It has often given me a great night after an awful, allergy-filled day.

3

Two things:

  1. Air conditioning always helped me. The reduced humidity resulted in less pollen-clumping, and therefore better conditions.
  2. I haven’t sneezed or been bothered yet this entire summer by seasonal allergies! Did I ‘grow’ out of my life-long affliction or is this hot summer responsible? Either way I’m loving it.
  3. OK, more than two things: HEPA filters are supposed to filter this stuff, but again, just reduced humidity through air conditioning (and a cold drink) have always helped me. A strong antihistamine too.

This year, no sneezing. How come?

ETA: Is ragweed lagging due to hot temps and little rain?

4

I was getting terrible allergies this spring, and I just couldn’t seem to beat it with any OTC medicine. I decided to try changing the air filter in the house and the relief was almost instant. Within a day my allergies were gone. I bought the most expensive one they had at wal-mart. I can’t remember for sure how much it cost, but I know it was less than $30. I read online that the filters should be changed every month, but I don’t think most people do that.

Maybe you could ask the apartment manager to change your air filter, or give you a new one to do it yourself?

5

Yes, I have a portable air filter and it’s wonderful to help me sleep during the spring whilst all the plants are fornicating. I have a Hamilton Beach model, I think it was $99 and I’m happy with it.

6

Apparently a $15 HEPA filter taped to a $10 box fan does the job quite nicely. It’s not elegant, but it’s cheap.