Allergy season is ramping up. Get ahead of it with these essentials
If spring pollen is your bane, we're here to help.
Spring and summer warmth is always welcome – but for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, the warmer seasons can be cause for trepidation. Aside from the spate of allergy medications available at your pharmacy, there are plenty of ways to cut down the amount of allergens present in your home. Here are our top suggestions.
Levoit Smart WiFi Air Purifier
Shop now on Amazon.ca: Clean air is easier to breathe, especially when your allergies keep you from throwing the windows open too often. A HEPA air purifier is a genuine help, and this one from Levoit is a stalwart. It’s suitable for medium and large rooms, with sophisticated scheduling and timing options for energy conservation. We especially like the companion app, which gives you full control over its functionality – including, crucially, filter quality and estimated time left before replacement.
AquaOasis Cool Mist Humidifier
Shop now on Amazon.ca: Indoor air can be dry air, worsening allergy symptoms, so why not invest in a humidifier, of which there is no shortage out there. This option from AquaOasis seems ideal to us: its 2.2-litre capacity is good for a bedroom or large room, perfect for relief while you sleep. It also features multiple mist modes, a 360-degree nozzle, and an automatic shutoff when the tank is empty. At this price point, getting more than one for different rooms is also within reach.
Maoever Neti Pot
Shop now on Amazon.ca: When allergens have turned your sinuses against you, you can fight back by simply rinsing them out. This isn’t quite your traditional neti pot despite the name, but it just as effective at gently cleansing out those nasal passages using gravity alone. It features multiple heads for proper flow control as well. Be sure to follow the instructions before use, and do not use it with tap water. Maoever sells salt packets separately for an even better cleanse.
Cold Therapy Ice Roller for Face and Eyes
Shop now on Amazon.ca: Sometimes, relieving at least some of the symptoms of allergies like puffy, irritated eyes can be as simple as using a cold compress to cool the area and improve circulation. This ice roller is more efficient at that than a compress, and can also be effective for sinuses and headaches. Those who bought it on Amazon.ca like it a lot: It’s the number one seller for face rollers, with more than 12,000 reviewers giving it an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.
Grace & Stella Gel Bead Eye Mask
Shop now on Amazon.ca: For longer term relief of puffy eyes related to allergies, this cooling sleep mask is your best bet. Featuring gel beads and a paraben and sulfate-free construction, it’s freezable and heatable. It’s an effective anti-inflammatory tool, and also effective at relieving migraines.
National Allergy Hypoallergenic Pillowcase
Shop now on Amazon.ca: Never underestimate how much your pillows may be aggravating your allergies, due to seasonal varieties or dust mites. This set of pillow covers from National Allergy will help put an end to that. They’re breathable cotton, but with pores as small as 2.6 microns, strictly limiting the amount of allergens that get into where you lay your head. They’re machine washable, too.
Allerpet Dog Allergy Relief
Shop now on Amazon.ca: And while you’re girding your loins for pollen allergies, don’t forget your furbaby. Through no fault of their own, pet dander can be a real pain for pet owners, and this spray (with included applicator mitt), helps neutralize the proteins within it. It’s non-toxic, non-oily and fragrance free as well, neatly avoiding any bad effects. This version is for dogs, but a cat version is also available from the same company.
