Asthma And Air Purifiers: A Look At Their Relationship
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, you’re no stranger to the discomfort these conditions can cause — whether it’s sneezing, wheezing, coughing or more. As people become more aware of the importance of indoor air quality, the question arises: Can an air purifier help alleviate asthma and allergy symptoms?
At American Water, we understand how crucial clean air is for your respiratory health. While air purifiers are an important part of managing asthma and allergies, they aren’t a cure. Instead, they work as a tool to help reduce common allergens and irritants in your home’s air, making it easier to breathe.
In this guide, we’ll explore how air purifiers for asthma work and why air purifiers should be part of a broader approach to managing your condition, not the sole solution.
Air Purifiers 101: How Do They Help Respiratory Conditions?
If you’re wondering how to use an air purifier for asthma, the key is understanding how they work. Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters are particularly effective at trapping small particles that trigger asthma and allergy symptoms, such as:
- Dust mites
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Mold spores
- Tobacco smoke
- Airborne viruses and bacteria
HEPA filters can help by capturing particles that are as small as 0.3 microns, which is the size of many common asthma and allergy triggers. In addition to HEPA filters, some purifiers also use activated carbon. This can help remove odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can worsen symptoms for sensitive individuals.
Will An Air Purifier Help With Asthma?
While purifiers can help improve indoor air quality, it’s important to understand that they’re not a cure for asthma or allergies. These devices help reduce allergens in your environment, making it easier for you to breathe, but they don’t address the root cause of your condition.
Asthma and allergies are chronic conditions that require a comprehensive approach for proper management. In addition to air purifiers, treatments like medications, allergy shots and environmental control measures (like keeping pets out of the bedroom) can be essential to managing these conditions.
Think of an air purifier as a valuable tool in your asthma or allergy management routine — helping you breathe easier, but not eliminating the need for medical care or other treatments.
Why Finding The Right Air Purifier Matters: American Water Can Help
Not all air purifiers are created equal, but at American Water, we offer high-quality systems you can trust. When you work with our team, you can choose from the Aerus® Beyond Guardian Air and the Aerus® Guardian Angel systems — each with their own benefits to consider.
The Guardian Angel offers a thorough, five-stage filtration option to help you protect your air quality. Meanwhile, the Beyond Guardian Air system is a portable, low-maintenance purifier designed to quietly and effectively improve indoor air quality. Unlike many standard HEPA filters that rely solely on passive filtration, this purifier combines multiple filtration technologies — including ActivePure® — to address a broader range of airborne contaminants.
Independent lab testing has shown the Beyond Guardian Air reduces or eliminates a variety of microscopic pathogens and irritants that can aggravate respiratory conditions, including:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus)
- H1N1 influenza
- E. coli
- Candida auris
- Murine Norovirus
- Monkeypox virus
- H5N8 influenza
- PhiX-174
This level of performance makes it a strong choice for individuals managing asthma or allergies, especially when used alongside other environmental and medical strategies.
While no air purifier can cure chronic conditions, using a powerful, proven system like the Beyond Guardian Air or the Guardian Angel can help reduce exposure to harmful airborne triggers — making every breath feel a little easier.
Other Steps To Manage Asthma And Allergies (Besides Using An Air Purifier)
While an air purifier for asthma is a great start, it’s important to combine it with other strategies to fully manage asthma and allergies. Here are a few additional steps you can take:
- Regular cleaning — Keep your space tidy by vacuuming regularly and wiping down surfaces to reduce dust buildup.
- Control humidity — High humidity levels can contribute to mold growth, a common asthma trigger. Use a dehumidifier if necessary to maintain healthy humidity levels.
- Avoid outdoor allergens — During peak pollen season, keep windows and doors closed, and change your clothes after being outside.
- Consult your doctor — Always work with a healthcare provider to find the best asthma and allergy management plan for your needs, which may include medication or immunotherapy
Can Air Purifiers Help? Yes, But They’re Not A Cure
In conclusion, air purifiers are an excellent tool for improving air quality, but they aren’t a cure-all. By removing dust, pollen, pet dander and other irritants from the air, an air purifier can help you breathe easier.
However, they should be used in conjunction with other management strategies for asthma and allergies, including medications and environmental controls.
At American Water, we offer air purification solutions that help you maintain clean, healthy air indoors. Whether you’re dealing with asthma, allergies or just want to breathe easier, we’re here to help.
