{"id":16982,"date":"2025-10-09T17:39:26","date_gmt":"2025-10-09T09:39:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/?p=16982"},"modified":"2025-10-09T17:41:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-09T09:41:11","slug":"simple-trick-to-reduce-pollen-and-seasonal-allergy-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/simple-trick-to-reduce-pollen-and-seasonal-allergy-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Air Purifiers Really Help Reduce Allergy Symptoms at Home?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Seasonal allergy symptoms can be difficult to cope with. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, and red, watery, and itchy eyes. Fortunately, studies show the use of HEPA filter air purifiers in the home can significantly reduce pollen and seasonal allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Studies Show HEPA Air Purifiers Reduce Pollen and Seasonal Allergy Symptoms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/009167499090050E\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">double-blind study<\/a>&nbsp;tested 32 people with allergies (asthma or symptomatic perennial rhinitis). They randomly assigned them to get a real purifier or a fake purifier for 4 weeks. Half the participants got a real air purifier for 4 weeks, then a fake purifier for 4 weeks. The other half of participants got the fake purifier for 4 weeks, then the real purifier.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2059\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35756\" style=\"width:auto;height:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-600x483.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-1024x824.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-768x618.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-1536x1236.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-2048x1647.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The real and fake purifiers were identical, but the fake purifier had no filter inside. The fake purifier is important because it controls for the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Placebo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">placebo effect<\/a>. So this isn\u2019t testing people\u2019s&nbsp;<strong>beliefs&nbsp;<\/strong>about purifiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants reported their symptoms and medication use throughout the study. With the real purifier, some symptoms went down significantly, such as congestion.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"829\" height=\"695\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Congestion2.jpg\" alt=\"congestion symptom went down with air purifiers.\" class=\"wp-image-39269\" style=\"width:auto;height:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Congestion2.jpg 829w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Congestion2-600x503.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Congestion2-300x252.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Congestion2-768x644.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 829px) 100vw, 829px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Participants also reported using less medication when the real purifier was in their home. Because participants didn\u2019t know which purifier was real or fake, we can be sure this is not a placebo effect.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1740\" height=\"1408\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Medication-Use.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35757\" style=\"width:auto;height:600px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Medication-Use.jpg 1740w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Medication-Use-600x486.jpg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Medication-Use-1024x829.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Medication-Use-300x243.jpg 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Medication-Use-768x621.jpg 768w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/RCT-Air-Purifier-Allergy-Trial-Medication-Use-1536x1243.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1740px) 100vw, 1740px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In another&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/02770903.2016.1218011\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study<\/a>, researchers found similar results in children with asthma. It\u2019s important to remember that the symptoms didn\u2019t go down to zero in most people. Air purifiers aren\u2019t a magic bullet. But the change was statistically reliable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, one or two studies isn\u2019t enough. Good science should be built on replicated findings. Fortunately, researchers have done just that by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1155\/2024\/8847667\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">analyzing across multiple published studies<\/a>&nbsp;(a meta-analysis). They found that purifiers using physical filters like HEPA filters do reduce allergy symptoms on average.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-35724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image.png 602w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-120x120.png 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Do HEPA Air Purifiers Reduce Pollen and Seasonal Allergy Symptoms?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Seasonal allergy symptoms come from exposure to particles in the air, such as pollens and mold spores. These particulates typically range in size from 10 to 200 microns for pollen and 4 to 20 microns for mold spores.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"333\" src=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Pollen varies in size from 10 to 200 microns\" class=\"wp-image-35727\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-2.jpeg 602w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-2-600x332.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/image-2-300x166.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>But pollen particles aren\u2019t the only particles that matter for allergies. Researchers often talk about particles that are even smaller\u2014under 2.5 microns in size, called \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/pm10-pm2-5-difference-particle-air-pollution\/?utm_source=Quora\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PM2.5<\/a>.\u201d Studies have found that these small particles also&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0378427418318666\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exacerbate allergy symptoms<\/a>, in part by causing other damage in our bodies that makes allergies worse.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/qph.cf2.quoracdn.net\/main-qimg-3e05f10f58f0e276de9c1a9fa1f79595-lq\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>HEPA filters can capture over 99.97% of particles above (<a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/can-hepa-filters-capture-nanoparticles\/?utm_source=Quora\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">and below<\/a>!) 0.3 microns. This includes pollen, mold spores, dust mites, PM2.5, and other allergens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We can check that in these real-world allergy studies. For example, in the original air purifier and allergy study, they tested for small particles in people\u2019s homes (down to 0.3 microns). They found that the HEPA air purifier reduced these particles by 73%. This makes sense for how air purifiers would reduce allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left\"><strong>How to Choose an Air Purifier for Allergy Relief<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To find a HEPA air purifier for seasonal allergy relief, there are a few things to know. Ignore the marketing hype and avoid buying purifiers with add-ons such as <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/do-ionizer-air-purifier-work\/\">ionizers<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/uv-light-air-purifiers-effective-kill-disinfect-virus\/\">UV lights<\/a> that can make your air worse. A HEPA filter is all that is needed for removing allergens from the air. There is also <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/diy-purifier-effectivness\/\">no correlation between an air purifier&#8217;s price and effectiveness<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, make sure the air purifier is strong enough for the room it will be used in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/four-steps-to-choosing-the-best-air-purifier\/\">four-step guide on how to choose the best purifier<\/a> for more information on finding the best air purifier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seasonal allergy symptoms can be difficult to cope with. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, and red, watery, and itchy eyes. Fortunately, studies show the use of HEPA filter air purifiers in the home can significantly reduce pollen and seasonal allergy symptoms. Studies Show HEPA Air Purifiers Reduce Pollen and &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Do Air Purifiers Really Help Reduce Allergy Symptoms at Home?\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/blog\/simple-trick-to-reduce-pollen-and-seasonal-allergy-symptoms\/#more-16982\" aria-label=\"Read more about Do Air Purifiers Really Help Reduce Allergy Symptoms at Home?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1035,"featured_media":17069,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"35710,25426,28337,5806,35593,35576","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,190,744],"tags":[283,523,444,372],"class_list":["post-16982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air-pollution","category-air-purifiers","category-allergies","tag-air-purifier","tag-allergies","tag-hepa-filter","tag-pollen","resize-featured-image"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1035"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16982"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16982\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39271,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16982\/revisions\/39271"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17069"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smartairfilters.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}