Allergies are a pain, and they affect us in all different ways. Here is a list of 6 items to keep you and your family allergy free this winter and beyond.
- Allergy Armor Ultra Bedding- Every night, thousands of dust mites settle into your linens to feed on dead skin cells (EW!). Try Allergy Armor Ultra Bedding ($10 to $214, achooallergy.com), breathable microfiber alternatives to your traditional Egyptian cotton sheets and pillowcases. The fabric’s super-teeny “pore size” (the gap between threads) prevents critters from burrowing into your bed and skin.
- Vacuum with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter- Vacuums with a HEPA filter absorb the most dust and mold
possible and remove close to 100 percent of the tiny granules floating through indoor air. A regular vacuum cleaner makes allergies worse because it lifts dust and spits it back into the air. So go for the stylish new DC25 Vacuum from Dyson ($499.99, dyson.com). - AirPod Air Purifier- A purifier sucks in the bad, forces it through a filter, and expels the good. Most air filters, however, are so damn ugly that the aesthetically inclined would rather stock up on Claritin than place one next to their sofa. Check out the
AirPod Air Purifier ($100, airpurifiers.com), which combines the sleek look of an iPod dock, the power of a HEPA filter, and a fan so quiet you can hear yourself breathe a whole lot easier. - Danby Low-Temp Dehumidifier- While most have decibel levels that rival an Airbus, the Danby Silhouette 58-Pint Low-Temp Dehumidifier ($260, allergybuyersclub.com) is quiet enough to keep in the bedroom. And the bedroom is
definitely where you want this baby, since you spend a solid 8 hours in there every day doing nothing but breathing. - All Free Clear Laundry Detergent- In a perfect world, allergy sufferers would send their laundry out and have a maid come in. If hiring help isn’t an option, wash your clothes in All Free Clear laundry detergent ($6 for 32 oz, allergybuyersclub.com). It helps zap dust mites and cat dander, sneeze-inducing particles that cling to fabric. (P.S. Bleach does the same for whites and will save you a few dollars.)
6. Eucerin Calming Crème- After a day in or around grass, give yourself a quick shampoo to remove all pollen, which is notorious for clinging to hair. Once you towel off, slather Eucerin Calming Creme ($7.50 for 8oz, available at drugstores) all over your body. It’s loaded with emollients that seal in moisture, and it’s especially soothing if you’re susceptible to allergies and eczema.
-Jessica Brown
