Air purifiers and even some indoor plants are a good way of mitigating pesky allergens when they get the best of us. However, they might also serve another unlikely purpose: helping with eczema triggers. Air purifiers work by using a fan to suck in air from the area it’s operating in. This air usually contains allergens and other debris which is then trapped by a filter that goes on to release the clean air back into the room. As the purifier repeats this process the quality of air improves.
“People with eczema often have allergies,” said Victoria Garcia-Albea, a dermatology nurse practitioner at Lahey Clinic Dermatology in Burlington, Massachusetts. “These allergies can be environmental, seasonal or [allergies] to foods. People who suffer from environmental allergies will benefit the most from an air purifier.”
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How can an air purifier help someone with eczema?
Many people who have eczema also deal with the atopic march. “The atopic march is when someone starts out with eczema (usually in early childhood) and, due to the influence of inflammatory mediators (cytokines) and the immune system, they go on to develop other allergic diseases, such as food allergy, allergic rhinitis and asthma,” said Dr. Rupam Brar, a pediatric allergy specialist with advanced training in dermatology at NYU Langone Health and assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
“It has been shown that indoor fine particulate matter is especially triggering for people with allergies, and for people with more severe eczema,” said Garcia-Albea. Air purifiers are helpful because they reduce the indoor particle matter that can trigger flares or exacerbate allergies. So while air purifiers aren’t going to prevent flares all together, they can play a role in lessening them. “Air purifiers remove these particles, leading to fewer eczema triggers,” she added. “This means fewer and less severe eczema flares.”
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Madison Ogburn, who has been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis and allergies since she was 6 months old, can attest to this. Ogburn has been using air purifiers for five years and has noticed improvements in her daily life since her eczema “has always stemmed from my many food and environmental allergies.”
As a recent graduate of pharmacy school, Ogburn was constantly moving apartments. Since she had no way of knowing what allergens may have been introduced to the environment by previous occupants, she decided to get an air purifier. “As soon as I splurged on a high-quality air purifier, I saw drastic changes in my skin, breathing and just in general my quality of life,” she said. “There was definitely a peace of mind. I felt in control again.”
What kind of allergens do air purifiers help with?
Air purifiers can help combat some allergens more than others. “Many allergens, such as pollen, are too large to be trapped by an air purifier,” said Dr. Brar. “Air purifiers may not be helpful for dust mite allergens but might help with pet allergens that are more buoyant and have a smaller molecular weight.” Dr. Brar also noted that air purifiers have limitations due to the surface area they can cover.
However, Garcia-Albea mentioned that air purifiers help to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 levels in the air. She explained that PM2.5 are particles of dust, dirt, soot, smoke and other pollutants that are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter. PM10 are particles that are less than 10 micrometers in diameter. While some air purifiers employ the use of HEPA filters, which can capture about 99.97% of particles in the air according to her, others might use carbon filters which are capable of absorbing gasses, smoke and fumes, which can also cause health problems.
What should people with eczema know about using an air purifier?
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Although air purifiers can be helpful, both Dr. Brar and Garcia-Albea noted that upkeep is required. The effectiveness of an air purifier is only as good as its maintenance. Filters must be cleaned and most also need to be replaced every six to 12 months.
“Typically, air purifiers make a small amount of noise that is not bothersome to owners,” Garcia-Albea added. “They run on electricity, but don’t use an excessive amount of energy, so it’s not likely to have a large impact on the monthly electricity bill.”
How should someone with eczema use an air purifier?
Garcia-Albea recommended having one in the bedroom and another in the area of the house where you spend the most time. “Air purifiers might not make you feel that much better, but they reduce potentially harmful particles, which could have long-term health benefits for people with and without eczema,” she said.
Any extra tips and advice about using air purifiers for eczema?
While some people might not be sure if adding an air purifier is right for them, Ogburn emphasized the importance of advocating for yourself and your needs. This is especially important if adding one makes your living situation more accommodating. “For the longest time, I would always feel bad or like I was a burden having to go the extra mile for myself in regards to my environment and the risk of my skin flaring,” she said. “Over the past couple years, I’ve accepted that eczema is indeed a chronic disease state, and it must be treated like one.”
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