I share my life with an allergy sufferer, and although my better half's allergies are much improved than when she was living in San Antonio or San Francisco where she previously resided, Los Angeles pollen and dust can do a work on her sinuses. So what to do when you want to open the windows to bring in some fresh air, but don't want additional irritants coming in too? Window Screen Pollen Filters claim to trap 92% of pollen and the accordion style frame ventilator is designed to fit into double hung windows up to 44" wide. They sure aren't nothing to write home about in the looks department, but if you're suffering from sniffling and sneezing, I'm sure aesthetics are a secondary concern when it comes to air quality.
Has your SO been tested for allergies?
She should get tested. I always thought the Santa Ana's were the reason my allergy flare ups. It ended up being dairy (I use to sneeze around a cup of milk, it's bizarre) & dust mites. I took allergy shots for 1/2 a year to build up immunity and I never have allergy issues since 2003.
Just something to consider.
view mar5195's profile
Yes, I have been tested. I am allergic to various pollens, mold, and foods. Thanks for the tip, though!
view chiffonade's profile
Hey chiffonade, I'm not sure if you're big on self-medicating or not, but... I've found that Claritin-D works for most of my airborne allergies. Works quite well, actually. I haven't breathed this easily in several years. And no irritibality or drowsy side effects for me. Might possibly work for some of your allergies.
view Enrique's profile
Hi Enrique, thank you for the tip, as well. Alas, Claritin-D gives me an excruciating headache. Fortunately, my allergies are pretty mild in LA compared to everywhere else I've lived.
view chiffonade's profile
FWIW I am also considering allergy shots for my dust mite allergy but in the meantime I will I'll definitely look into getting these window coverings, as I've "dustproofed" my room and still have occasional flare ups.
For dust mite allergy sufferers, where do you get your "dust mite proof" bedding and stuff? I haven't found it in too many places, let alone anything stylish ;)
view theninthcloud's profile
I have allergies and I can't take Claritin-D because it has a big whopping dose of sudaphedrine (sp I always get it wrong..) in it which gives me migraines and chest pain. It constricts the blood vessels and can in fact produe more mucous . i use a neti pot to clean out my sinuses (which works really well, if you haven't tried it yet) and if i get super congested i take mucinex. Also, my allergist gave me Astelin and it works INCREDIBLY well. I have migraines from my allergies and they are so bad I can't work, sleep, eat - anything. One spritz in each nostril and I'm %100 better in 10 minutes. It's not a steroid so it begins working immediately. You should try it. (no I am in no way affiliated with it, i tried it and it tastes so gross it makes me gag, but that is a small price to pay for no migraines)
view elizabeth in AL's profile
I had a screen like this years ago, when I lived in San Francisco. Don't know if the filter media is the same or not - mine was kind of a foam. The air could hardly pass thru it though, so it didn't do a lot of good.
It might work better with 3M Filtrete media, available from the same shop: http://www.natlallergy.com/prod/1141/3m-filtrete-window-ac-filter.html
But unless you have one hell of a draft, I doubt there will be enough pressure to force much air thru the media. I think filters really only work well in conjunction with some kind of fan. If you could position a powerful exhaust fan or fans elsewhere in the house those might provide enough airflow to make a window filter practical.
view sunspot42's profile