By now the worst of winter is likely behind us in most of the country. Warm weather will soon be sneaking out here and there to kickstart spring plant growth. That means the short reprieve that was a pollenless January has come to an end. While grass and weeds still slumber in their cold winter's nap, the first few trees across the country are getting a head start on pollen season.
Even though the air may not be thick with pollen yet, there are still other things in the air that will have you reaching for the antihistamines. Being cooped up inside puts your lungs in constant contact with particulates that are less of a problem during the rest of the year. But over time exposure to certain airborne particles and chemicals can have a negative effect. That’s why it is so important to keep an eye on indoor air quality during the winter months and to use a high-quality air purifier to protect your health.
Here are the typical pollens that can be found across the United States this February:
Northeast
Tree pollen: Alder, Cedar, Juniper
Grass pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity
Weeds: Typically none in measurable quantity
Southeast
Tree pollen: Cedar, Juniper, Pine
Grass pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity
Weeds: Typically none in measurable quantity
Midwest
Tree pollen: Alder, Cedar, Juniper
Grass pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity
Weeds: Typically none in measurable quantity
South Central
Tree pollen: Cedar, Juniper
Grass pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity
Weeds: Typically none in measurable quantity
Southwest
Tree pollen: Cedar, Juniper, Pine
Grass pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity
Weeds: Typically none in measurable quantity
Northwest
Tree pollen: Alder, Cedar, Juniper
Grass pollen: Typically none in measurable quantity
Weeds: Typically none in measurable quantity
Just because pollen isn’t flying doesn't mean allergy triggering particles aren’t in the air. There’s still plenty of pet dander, mold spores, dust mites, and ultrafine particles floating around to give your sinuses a fit. That’s why you need a high-quality air purifier in your home or office to keep nasty airborne particles at bay. Intellipure's DFS technology uses electronically enhanced filtration to attract and capture ultrafine particles (99.97% filtration down to 0.3 microns). Simply choose an Intellipure portable air purifier and take control of your home's indoor air quality as summer winds down.
When Dust Mite (Allergies) Attack!
Dust mites are everywhere..but you don’t need to panic. These ultra tiny bugs are so small they can’t be seen by the naked eye and are too tiny to feel if they walk on your skin. While technically related to spiders they can’t bite you, but they do live off of the skin cells we and our pets shed constantly. They prefer to live in areas where it is warm and humid, which makes them quite happy indoors during the winter months. Unfortunately many people are allergic to the waste products created by dust mites. When the warm coats, fluffy blankets, and other winter necessities come out you may find yourself reaching for the antihistamines. Common dust mite allergic reactions include sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, runny/stuffy nose, coughing, wheezing, or even an asthma attack. Taking time to wash items when you remove them from storage can help prevent dust mite allergy attacks. Also make sure to wash bedding and vacuum on a regular basis to reduce potential exposure. Finally invest in a high-quality air purifier to clean the air on a constant basis. Dust mite waste and dust mites themselves can easily float around in the air, which is why an Intellipure air purifier is a great defense against these airborne annoyances.
Why Pet Allergies Are Worse In Winter
With winter in full swing your pets know where the best warm places are in your home. Whether it is the dog curled up in front of a heating vent or a cat snuggled up to you in bed, winter time means lots of indoor time with your furry friends. But for those with pet allergies, that increased indoor time can mean more sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, or even itchy skin. The culprit is pet dander, the ultra tiny skin cell proteins your pets give off constantly. Dry air during the winter can actually cause pets to shed even more dander than usual. Forced air heating systems then spread the dander around because most typical HVAC filters aren’t designed to capture such tiny particles. Since most people spend the majority of their time indoors during winter all of these factors pile up to make pet allergies even worse this time of year. That’s why it is important to have a high-quality air purifier in your home. Both the Intellipure Compact and SuperV are excellent additions to any pet household. For spaces up to 500 sq ft the Compact is ideal, especially for bedrooms and nurseries. For a whole-home clean air solution the SuperV is the best defense against pet allergies.
Intellipure air purifiers are well positioned to help you conquer allergies year round. Our solutions are engineered in the USA and trusted in nearly every industry. To find out more about the latest in clean air take a look at the Intellipure lineup and follow us on Instagram at @Intellipure.
