The actual allergens are not the animal hairs themselves, but particles from the saliva, sebum, sweat or even the urine of pets. The tiny particles adhere to the animal hairs and are spread in the room air together with the house dust.
Through contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or the respiratory tract, these tiny particles then trigger sometimes severe allergic reactions. Respirable animal hair allergens can also trigger chronic respiratory diseases up to asthmatic shortness of breath. The allergens of cats and dogs are microscopically small, even smaller than the particles of house dust mites. By using efficient Hepa air purifiers, many allergy sufferers can achieve a significant improvement in their quality of life.
Inhalation allergens
Allergens from pets are listed in medicine under the technical term inhalation allergens. The most widespread animal hair allergy is cat hair allergy, followed by dog hair allergy. Allergies can also be triggered by other pets. Examples are guinea pigs, hamsters, horse hair and bird feathers. In canaries, budgerigars & co. bird mites can also cause allergic reactions.
How can allergens be filtered out?
Domestic animals release the very small and light particles into the air as highly concentrated suspended particles. An effective air purifier sucks in the ambient air and discharges it back into the room as clean air through several filter stages. Top-of-the-range units can circulate up to 400 m³ of air in a single hour.
Purchase criteria
When buying, the points at night should be considered:
- Does the unit fit the size of the room (sufficient air circulation)
- Filter performance against fine dusts, allergenic particles
- Total separation efficiency, particle size 0.3 micrometer
- Acquisition costs, filter costs
- Low noise emission
- Unit with ionizer (produces fresh air)
