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!
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:
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.
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!
