Going into the spring and summer months, many of us face sinus problems that make it difficult and uncomfortable to breathe. One of the common questions we see asked about air purification is “can air purifiers help with sinus problems?” In this article, we’ll explore what actually causes sinus issues and how using an air purifier in your home may be able to help.
What Causes Sinus Problems?
Sinus inflammation, more formally known as sinusitis, can have a range of different causes. In many cases, sinusitis is brought on by bacterial infections that cause sinus tissue to become sensitive and inflamed. Other causes can include mold and viruses.
Where air purifiers really come into play, though, is when sinus problems are caused by seasonal allergies. In addition to causing sinus inflammation directly, allergies can create better conditions for the sinuses to become infected by bacteria. As a result, seasonal allergies and bacterial sinusitis are often, though not always, connected.
Will an Air Purifier Help Your Sinus Problems?
To some extent, an air purifier may be able to prevent or mitigate your sinus problems. By limiting the amount of pollen you’re exposed to at home, an air purifier with a HEPA filter can reduce the likelihood of experiencing allergic sinusitis and secondary bacterial infection associated with allergies. It’s important to remember that you’ll still be exposed to pollen whenever you leave the home, so using an air purifier isn’t a hard-and-fast guarantee against allergic reactions. It is, however, an effective way to reduce your exposure.
It’s also important to note that the ability of an air purifier to help with sinus infections is purely preventative. If you already have a bacterial sinus infection, an air purifier won’t be able to reduce the symptoms caused by bacteria multiplying in your nasal passages. What an air purifier can do, though, is to reduce symptoms brought on by exposure to allergens and therefore prevent those symptoms from making you more vulnerable to a bacterial infection.
What Are the Best Air Purifiers for Seasonal Allergies?
As we’ve already touched on, you’ll need an air purifier with a HEPA filter to address seasonal allergies caused by pollen. Below, you’ll find a few of our top picks in this category. For more options, browse our complete selection of air purifiers for allergies.
Amaircare 3000 HEPA
With a large air flow capacity, durable metal construction and a convenient silent mode, the Amaircare 3000 HEPA is a natural choice for home air purification. This unit is highly recommended for dealing with pollen, dust, mold, hair and other particles commonly found in home air.
Airpura H600
Thanks to a maximum delivered air flow rate of 480 cubic feet per minute, the Airpura H600 is a great choice for use in larger spaces. This model is designed specifically to help those suffering with severe allergies and asthma. An optional carbon weave filter can also be added to this model to filter out basic gases and odors in the home.
Austin Air Allergy Machine
Another unit designed to help allergy sufferers, the Austin Air Allergy Machine is a high-capacity model that comes equipped with both HEPA and carbon filters. The unit’s 4-stage air filtering does a great job of removing pollutants, including seasonal pollen, from home air. Thanks to its 360-degree air intake, this unit is capable of moving and filtering air quite quickly.
So, while they can’t guarantee relief from your seasonal sinus issues, air purifiers may be able to help prevent the worst of them by limiting your exposure to spring and summer pollen. Have more questions about how air purifiers can help you breathe cleaner, healthier air? We’re here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we’ll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations based on your unique needs.