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Allergy and Asthma Irritants, Resources and
Products to Ease Allergy Symptoms

In this section you will find articles and resources about allergy and asthma causes, symptoms, conditions and solutions and products to help you breathe easier. Information provided includes dust mites, mold, pet allergy (dog allergy and cat allergy), airborne air pollution, asthma symptoms, allergy symptoms, airborne allergen reports, allergy relief products and allergy relief remedies.

Suffering from Allergy and Asthma Problems?

If you have unexplained headaches, dizziness, irritability, sinus problems, depression, fatigue or breathing problems, you may not realize it, but your health problems could be caused from indoor air pollution. According to the World Health Organization, 40% of all buildings pose a serious health hazard due to indoor air pollution.

A Few Sources of Airborne Contaminants

Over 350 different pollutants and contaminants have been identified, including cigarette, cigar and pipe smoke, germs, bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew and fungi, pollen, dead skin, house dust and dust mites, odors from smoke, pets, mold, mildew, exhaust fumes, food, body sweat, etc., chemical fumes from cleaning products, solvents, furnishings, clothing and construction.

viruses Viruses (singular: virus) are the smallest and simplest microbes, just a ball of genes wrapped in a shell - about a millionth of an inch across. No one knows how long they've been on Earth or how they evolved. They reproduce by injecting their genes into a cell to produce thousands of new viruses.

Bacteria (singular: bacterium) are much larger than viruses - about 125,000th of an inch long. If a virus were human-sized, a bacterium would be about as big as the Stature of Liberty. These one-celled bodies either make their own food through chemical processes or feed on live hosts or dead matter. Bacteria have existed on Earth for more than 3.5 billion years.

Protozoa (singular: protozoan) are a group of one-celled predators and parasites similar to bacteria but about 1,000 times larger. Examples include amoebae and paramecia. Protozoa made their debut on Earth more than 1.8 billion years ago.

Fungus Fungi (singular: fungus) In nature, fungi are decomposers. They break down matter into nutrients and minerals that plants and animals reuse. Of the 100,000 known species of fungus, familiar examples include mushrooms, yeast, mold and mildew.

Mold Molds: Many species of molds that develop on organic materials such as fruits, grain, compost and wood can produce allergens and/or toxins that can produce respiratory disease. The main route of entry is through respiration of dust particles contaminated with the fungi or its spores. Various strains of molds have been implicated in being causative agents in asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and pulmonary mycosis.

Dustmite Dust Mites: Allergy to house dust mites is a leading cause of winter asthma, especially from the droppings, which can trigger asthma in sensitized people. Dust mites live in bedding, carpets, stuffed furniture, old clothing and stuffed toys. They feed on human skin shedding. Dust mites are most common in humid climates and don't survive when the humidity is below 50%. If droppings of dust mites are inhaled or come in contact with the skin, they may cause asthma and/or eczema symptoms.

Second-Hand Smoke: It has been well documented that secondhand smoke is hazardous to people who breathe the smoke given off by the burning end of a cigarette, pipe or cigar, and smoke exhaled from the lungs of smokers. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, more than 40 of which are known to cause cancer in humans or animals and many of which are strong irritants.

The effects of breathing these pollutants include dizziness, irritability, coughing, sneezing, dry eyes, hay fever, allergies, asthma symptoms, sinus problems, ear infections, depression, fatigue, headaches, nausea, breathing problems, respiratory infections, etc. It's no wonder why indoor air pollution has become the greatest environmental health problem.

Articles

Allergy, Asthma and Air Quality Issues

Asthma and Allergy

Child Asthma

Dust Mites

Mold Allergy

Pet Allergy (Dog Allergy & Cat Allergy)

For additional information, see our sections on Air Purification and Air Purifiers.

Air Purification Solutions

To solve your air pollution problems, we have a large selection of health and air purification products to help you breathe easier:

Keep Your Nose and Sinuses Clean

Nasopure Nose Washing, Nasal Irrigation and Sinus Cleaner

Dr. Hana's Nasopure® Nasal Wash System transforms the ancient technique of nasal irrigation into the most effective, convenient and inexpensive nose washing system available today. It quickly and safely washes away pollen, mold, dust, bacteria, viruses AND MUCUS — the primary causes of nasal and sinus allergies, infection and discomfort, leading to improved sinus health and sickness prevention. Washing your nose has never been easier. more info

Himalayan Crystal Rock Salt Inhaler

The Himalayan Salt Inhaler is made from high quality ceramic filled with original himalayan salt crystals. Its salty microclimate calms and cleanses the cells of the respiratory system. When using the Himalayan salt inhaler, the moisture of the passing air absorbs the micron sized particles of the salt, then penetrates into the respiratory system to achieve the beneficial effects. The sodium content of the active ingredients induces natural self cleansing mechanisms that flush away the impurities from the surface of the cells. Salt particles also mechanically clean the air passages. more info

eliminate offensive odors

Odor Absorbing Environmental Air Sponge

Our senses are bombarded by offensive odors from a variety of sources, like body odors, pet odors, food odors, smoke odors and musty odors. Our initial reaction to odors is the irritation to our sense of smell. The more important problem is the damage odor contaminants may do to our respiratory system. Breathing air contaminants causes 100% of all respiratory diseases.

The Environmental Odor Absorber Air Sponge is an environmentally safe product that eliminates virtually all odors, even tough, smelly, lingering odors, from the indoor air in your home, office, car, RV or boat, as well as lingering effects in clothing, curtains, drapes, carpets and upholstery. more info

remove airborne pollution

No one air purifier technology can get rid of all types of pollution, which is why we carry several different brands. Each brand has its strengths and weaknesses. For help determining which brand is best for your situation, visit our air purifier section, give us a call toll free at 866-875-4386 or send an email.

Airfree Air Sterilizers

Airfree® Air Sterilizers are excellent for children, asthmatics, allergic people or for anyone who has pollen, dander, dust mite or mold related problems because it works based on a totally natural process: Heat. Inside Airfree®'s patented ceramic core 99.99% of all microorganisms (molds, yeasts, bacteria and viruses) are burned at temperatures around 400F, which is done without significant heat contribution to the room. Airfree® Air Sterilizers don't employ chemical or toxic products such as glass filter fibers, triclosan-coated paper or any kind of material that can be harmful to the environment when wasted. Nor does it produce ozone, VOCs, nitrous oxide or nitric acid. In fact, Airfree Air Sterilizers remove ozone from the air.

Airfree's breakthrough technology provides silent, effective operation, and best of all, there is NO maintenance required because Airfree has no moving parts and doesn't need replacement filters or lamps. And it's energy efficient, using 52 watts or less, depending on model. Airfree is available in three models: P1000 for up to 450 sq. ft., P2000 for up to 550 sq. ft. and Onix 3000 for up to 650 sq. ft. more info

Surround Air Multi-Tech Ionizers

Surround Multi-Tech Air Ionizers Negative ions clean the air by magnetically attracting to pollutants until these newly-formed larger particles become too heavy to remain in the air you breathe and they fall to the ground. Surround Air Ionizers continually produce negative ions, without creating the "black-wall" effect of older ionization technologies, so even if one of these fallen particles is kicked up into the air, it is quickly removed again. The most important thing, though, is that they are taken out of the air, preventing you from inhaling them into your lungs, which is how they cause problems.

Since certain technologies are much better than others at removing different types of air pollutants, all Surround Ionizers are multi-technology. All models include ionization, a prefilter, a HEPA and Carbon Filter and UV lamp, plus some models include a TiO2 filter or an optional ozone sanitizer. And, the Intelli-Pro includes electronic sensors. With Surround, you get the best of the most advanced air purification technologies on the market, all rolled into one air purifier. The best part is that Surround Multi-tech ionizers and replacement filters are affordable for every budget. more info

Airpura Commercial HEPA and Carbon Air Cleaners

Airpura Commercial Air Cleaners with True HEPA and Carbon Airpura is a completely new air cleaner with all the design improvements lacking in other similar technology systems. Airpura design principles include a simplified unobstructed air flow for quieter more efficient performance and reduced noise. The prefilter can be vacuumed through the mesh for easy monthly maintenance, then replaced every 12 months. Two special microbial (bacteria and viruses) suppressing filters help to protect the hefty 18 or 26 pound carbon bed. Felt gaskets are used to seal the filter chamber, eliminating rubber seal off gassing. The metal capped HEPA filter removes the possibility of any plastic vapors from non-metal caps.

Airpura uses a powerful, variable speed integrated fan/motor, letting you choose the rate you clean your air from super quiet to premium power filtering with 560 CFM capacity. With Airpura's effective pressure sealed filter chamber, all air is filtered; NO particles or gases escape. Other systems allow leakage and can't achieve the claimed 99.97% HEPA efficiency. And, Airpura offers the cleanest air, using superior quality true HEPA and activated carbon (special carbon blends are available) with optional UV sterilization to deliver truly clean air for home, office and industrial applications. Airpura is available in eight models and three colors: Cream, white and black. more info

Air Oasis Breakthrough UV Air Sanitizer Technology!

Air Oasis Nano Nickel HCT Air Purifiers No air purifier on the market can compete in effectiveness when compared to the Air Oasis patent-pending Nano Nickel HCT photocatalytic oxidation technology. Other oxidation brands use only titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a catalyst, the cheapest, most available, catalyst metal on the market. Air Oasis contains five rare catalyst metals and nano size metals to increase the kinetic rate of reaction. Plus, Air Oasis UV lamps utilize a proprietary long life 3-year coating, allowing them to outlast any UV lamp on the market.

Air Oasis technology is proven effective against MRSA and may be an answer for many more of today's "Super Bugs", such as Swine Flu. Studies conducted by West Texas A&M University at BSA Hospital confirm that Air Oasis not only purifies your air, but sanitizes surfaces. The study measured reductions in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on surfaces. The study also measured a 75% reduction in other microbes and fungus in only 8 hours of use. Other studies show an almost complete eradication over longer periods of exposure to the Air Oasis oxidation technology. Current ongoing studies are aimed at proving reductions in VOC and odors. more info

Venmar Air and Humidity Ventilation

Venmar Air and Humidity Ventilation For the past two decades mounting evidence suggests that dependence on the natural exchange of air between the indoors and outdoors through air infiltration and exfiltration may not be sufficient for good moisture control and indoor air quality. It also has become increasingly obvious that traditional ventilation methods, like opening a window or use of a common bath fan, are not providing adequate ventilation. A properly designed and installed ventilation system is the key to positive moisture control and will help ensure a healthy indoor environment for the occupant.

The solution is heat recovery ventilators (HRV) and energy recovery ventilators (ERV). These mechanical ventilation systems use fans to maintain a low-velocity flow of fresh outdoor air into the house (incoming air stream) while exhausting out an equal amount of stale indoor air (exhaust air stream). Fresh air is supplied to all levels of the house while stale air is removed from areas with high levels of pollutants and moisture. more info

Resource Links

Airborne Allergen Reports

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