Allergy Masks

When it comes to preventing your allergy symptoms, allergy masks (also known as dust masks or respirators) are one of the most effective allergy control products available.


There's really nothing more effective in blocking allergens and other irritants from triggering your symptoms...if you know which masks to use.

Let this page be your guide to understanding how allergy masks help you, and which ones are the best masks to use.
We have found there are several types of masks available, and each of them are for specific use.
Naturally since this site is about allergies, we focus on masks.
The types that allergy suffers should be familiar with are...


HEPA Mask – uses HEPA filtration...filters out at least 99.97% of allergens...the most effective for allergy sufferers.N95 Mask – similar to HEPA, but filters out at least 95% of allergens...more than sufficient for allergy sufferers.
Dust Mask – also known as a pollen mask...not up to HEPA or N95 standards, but definitely better than nothing.
Silk Mask – comfortable, breathable, washable, and fashionable...though not as effective as HEPA or N95.

If you also suffer from asthma, a cold weather mask should be a consideration for you as well. These help tremendously with preventing the asthma symptoms you experience in cold weather.

WHY WEAR A MASK?

Think of a mask as a personal air purifier. It filters out all the harmful airborne particles...especially allergens...allowing you to breathe clean, fresh air wherever you go.
How many times have you done certain activities, whether inside or out, that triggered your allergy symptoms or your allergy induced asthma. Well, we can tell you from experience if you wear an allergy mask, you can save yourself a lot of unnecessary suffering.
You know best which activities flare your symptoms, but here are some suggestions for times when it's a MUST to wear a mask...

• During allergy season.
• When the pollen and/or mold count is high.
• While doing yard work (Mowing, trimming, landscaping, gardening, etc.).
• When you're around pets.
• While cleaning house.

We have also found that it's also very important to wear a mask during many indoor activities as well. Probably the most important times to wear a mask is while dusting and vacuuming. These two activities kick up a lot of allergens...which can mean a lot of misery.

As we recommend on many other pages of this site, if you are an allergy sufferer, it's best to have someone else do the cleaning.
However, since I know that's not always a possibility, at least wear a mask to keep your allergy symptoms at bay!
MASKS FOR ALLERGY SUFFERERS
Would you like a few examples of allergy masks that I would suggest?
The company 3M makes a good selection of masks that can help you with your needs....
The 3M 6291 mask is a true HEPA mask, which means it filters out 99.97% of allergens. It also protects you from other toxic particles and aerosols. It is a kind of a big, bulky mask...so in my mind for things like vacuuming and other allergy applications, it's a bit of overkill. It is very effective, however...so it's your call.
The 3M 8233 is a smaller, lighter HEPA mask than the 6291...making it a better choice for allergy sufferers. They also protect you from bacteria and viruses.
For all practical purposes, the 3M 8210 will keep your allergy symptoms from being triggered. This is your run-of-the-mill N95 mask. Not quite the protection of the HEPA mask, but if you have mild to moderate allergies it will work just fine.

AllergyZone also makes a great N95 mask N95 mask ...in fact, it's probably my personal favorite. You can see it in the picture at the top of the page. This mask is lightweight, comfortable, and has kept me from sneezing many times.

Overall, we have found that allergy masks are one of the cheapest and most effective allergy control products available.
Start using them today and enjoy the relief from your allergy symptoms!