We know dehumidifiers are great for tackling damp and condensation, but do they help with allergies? If you struggle with sensitivities at home, you might be wondering whether these machines can make a difference – and if they’re worth the investment.
Since most indoor allergens thrive in humid environments, the best dehumidifiers can significantly reduce symptoms by limiting common triggers such as mould and dust mites. They also help prevent dampness, which can irritate the airways.
Below, experts explain everything you need to know about using a dehumidifier for allergies – from whether sleeping with one can be beneficial to which sensitivities they can help with, as well as why high humidity levels can be so triggering.
Do dehumidifiers help with allergies?
Yes, dehumidifiers can help with allergies, according to Dr. Stephanie Kayode, Allergy Physician at Allergy Care London.
If your home has excessively damp air, you’re likely to have high amounts of mould spores, bacteria, and dust mites which can be inhaled – triggering immune responses, infections, and allergic reactions.
Dr. Kayode says, “This is why high-humidity environments are linked to asthma flares, chronic cough, bronchitis, allergies, and increased respiratory infections.”
To find out whether you have normal humidity levels, you can buy a hygrometer (like this one from Amazon) to monitor your home. Dr. Kayode recommends keeping the environment in the range of 40 to 60%. If you’ve noticed your levels are too high, it’s well worth investing in a dehumidifier to help bring them down.
She says, “In this range, damp, mould and dust mites are controlled, mucosal barrier defences are not impacted, and the lungs and skin function better. Since we spend most of our time indoors, breathing in higher concentrations of airborne allergens increases the likelihood of developing allergy symptoms, such as asthma, wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, watery eyes and itchy eyes.”
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Dr. Stephanie Kayode is a Consultant Allergist and Allergy Physician at one of the largest allergy centres in Europe, where she provides expert care for adults with a wide range of allergic conditions. Dr. Kayode practices within an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence, where her work spans patient care, service innovation, and academic collaboration.
Which allergies can a dehumidifier help with?
Dehumidifiers can be especially beneficial for people with mould and dust mite allergies.
Dr. Hussain Ahmad, Consultant Practitioner at Click2Pharmacy, explains: “Dust mites need humidity above 40 to 50% to survive, so reducing moisture in your home makes it harder for them to thrive. Mould spores also love damp conditions, which is pretty common in UK homes unfortunately.”
Dr Hussain Ahmad (MUDr/MD) has over 10 years of experience working with patients across Europe and, most recently, in the North of England. He is an experienced hospital doctor working primarily in A&E in the North West. As a consultant practitioner, he’s provided support and advice for a wide range of patients who struggle with a variety of different health issues.
What is better for allergies: humidifier or dehumidifier?
By contrast, humidifiers add moisture to the air, which can help ease irritation and inflammation caused by allergies. So, are humidifiers or dehumidifiers better for relieving allergy symptoms?
Since damp air is a more common problem than dry air in the UK, Dr. Hussain Ahmad says that dehumidifiers are generally the better option. In fact, a humidifier can even worsen reactions to dust mites and mould.
He explains, “The only time a humidifier might help is if someone’s got very dry nasal passages from over-heated homes, but that’s less common. Get a cheap hygrometer and measure your humidity.”
Does sleeping with a dehumidifier help allergies?
If your bedroom is damp or you have dust mite allergies, sleeping with a dehumidifier in the room can be helpful, says Dr. Hussain Ahmad. He explains that since we spend so much time in our bedrooms and bedding harbours dust mites, these spaces can be major problem areas.
Other ways to reduce allergies at home
Looking for other ways to reduce your allergy symptoms at home? Here’s what Dr. Stephanie Kayode recommends:
1. Use an air purifier: Air purifiers with HEPA filters can reduce allergen concentrations by around 65% to 90%.
2. Consider airflow: Your air purifier will be more effective at reducing allergens if there are higher airflow rates in your home.
3. Cleaning: By vacuuming regularly, you will reduce exposure to dust and animal allergens that can trigger your symptoms. Don’t forget to damp-wipe your surfaces and remove unnecessary soft toys and furnishings, which build up dust over time.
Dr. Hussain Ahmad concludes, “Make sure you clean your dehumidifier properly and empty it regularly, or you’ll end up with mould growing in the unit itself, which defeats the purpose.”
If you’re torn about which machine is best for relieving your allergies, read our comparison of air purifiers vs dehumidifiers, which weighs the pros and cons of both devices.
View the original article and our Inspiration here
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