Do Air Purifiers Help Nasal Congestion (Stuffy Nose)?

Do Air Purifiers Help Nasal Congestion (Stuffy Nose)?

Your nose is your body’s first line of defense against the various irritants commonly found in the air we breathe. Your nasal passages are lined with hair and cilia that are designed to trap these intruders before they can make it into your airways. Unfortunately, this natural defense system isn’t perfect, and irritants sometimes make it through, causing inflammation and congestion. An air purifier can help trap airborne contaminants so that your nose doesn’t have to!

What causes nasal congestion?

When contaminants make it past the first line of defense, they can irritate your nasal tissues, causing inflammation and triggering your immune system to produce more mucus in an attempt to flush out the intruders. The swelling and additional mucus create the feeling of a stuffy nose and make it more difficult to breathe.

There are several types of irritants that can cause nasal congestion:

  • Viruses and bacteria can cause infections such as colds, flu and sinusitis that trigger an immune response.
  • Allergens are triggers that make the immune system overreact and release histamine, a chemical that causes inflammation, sneezing and other processes designed to expel the perceived threat from the body.
  • Odors and chemicals can also irritate the lining of the nose and throat, leading to inflammation and congestion.

How air purifiers can help with nasal congestion

Air purifiers help prevent nasal congestion by removing irritants from the air you breathe. There are a few different types of filtration and purification mechanisms that work best on different types of contaminants.

UV air purifiers

UVC air purifiers emit a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light that deactivates and help to destroy viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms. Fans push the airstream past high-intensity lamps that cleanse the air before sending it back out into the room, reducing the likelihood of infection.

Air purifiers with HEPA filters

HEPA filters are mechanical filters that use finely woven mesh to trap particles. These types of air purifiers effectively trap allergens such as dust, pollen and pet dander that commonly circulate in households and are a major source of airway irritation and nasal congestion. Note that HEPA filters eventually become saturated with contaminants and must be cleaned or changed regularly to maintain their effectiveness.

Air purifiers with activated carbon filters

Activated carbon filters chemically attract odors and pollutants through a process called adsorption. These types of air purifiers work well on volatile organic compounds (VOCs), cigarette smoke smell and other common irritants. These filters also become saturated eventually and must be replaced.

Eliminate airway irritants with Sanuvox!

If you are suffering from a stuffy nose, the first thing to do is to determine what’s causing the irritation. Ideally, you’ll want to minimize your exposure to whatever is triggering your immune response. The right air purifier will help alleviate your sinus problems by eliminating contaminants and improving the air quality in your home.

If you’re concerned about pathogens circulating in the air, consider investing in one of Sanuvox’s residential UV air purifiers. We also offer air purifiers for the entire house that are equipped with multiple filtration and purification mechanisms to cover a wider range of airborne irritants. Contact us today to improve your air quality and alleviate your nasal congestion!

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