For more than 50 million Americans each year, allergies are a nuisance. There isn’t anyone who enjoys the many symptoms they bring: sneezing, congestion, scratchy throat, and itchy, watery eyes are some of the most common reactions. Other people, however, may experience hives, rashes, and more.

So what causes allergies? Allergies happen when our immune systems identify a particular allergen as harmful. To protect us, it produces antibodies to fight it. This reaction is what ultimately causes our allergy triggers and the resulting symptoms previously mentioned. 

While millions of Americans say they have learned to cope with their allergies, many more people don’t know much about allergies — and the more annoying symptoms they bring.

Here are four things you didn’t know about allergies:

1. Pet dander floats. Have you ever walked into someone’s home and immediately started sneezing or tearing up? If this person has a pet, especially a cat, their dander floats in the air.  Cat dander is a common cause of allergic reactions, according to medicinenet.com. 
2. More people have allergies than you think. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than half of Americans have at least one allergy. 
3. You can develop allergies as an adult. According to experts, no one is born with allergies. However, the more you are exposed to allergens, you can likely build up a reaction to them. Fifteen percent of food allergies develop after age 18, according to Food Allergy Research & Education. 
4. Allergies and asthma are double trouble. The same particles that trigger allergy symptoms can also trigger asthma symptoms. In turn, skin or food allergies can trigger asthma symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is called allergic asthma or allergy-induced asthma.

How Air Purifiers Can Help

While you can’t make your allergies disappear forever, there are ways to keep you from suffering – and air purifiers are a wise choice as a remedy. Air purifiers are designed to pull the smallest particles out of the air, capture them in a HEPA filter, and push clean air back out into your living space.

Your home cannot be a haven when you and your loved ones are breathing unclean air. Running an air purifier can help everyone breathe more comfortably by removing up to 99 percent of airborne particles, including mold spores, pet dander, dust, and smoke.

The Bottom Line

While you or your loved one’s allergies may never go away, no one should have to suffer. Using an air purifier as a remedy is a wise choice because it will help you rest better and breathe clean air.