Holiday gift guide
An allergist's gift guide
Gifts for the people in your life who sneeze, itch or wake up congested. Every pick here does something useful, and none of them adds fragrance to their home.
Start with the one gift they will not buy themselves, then browse by room.
If you buy one thing
The gift they will not buy themselves
Almost everyone with allergies knows an air purifier would help. Very few buy a good one. This is the one I would choose for a bedroom.
For better sleep
Gifts for the room where they breathe longest
Seven or eight hours a night in one room. Bedding that washes hot and seals out dust mites is the most useful gift for anyone with allergies.
Shop nowHygea Natural
Allergen Pillow Protectors, 2-Pack
Zippered covers that seal the pillow against dust mites and pet dander. The most useful small gift on this page.
Shop the protectors
Shop nowBoll & Branch
Percale Hemmed Sheet Set
Crisp, breathable organic cotton made to go through a hot wash every week.
Shop the sheets
Shop nowBrooklinen
Down Alternative Comforter
Fully machine washable, so it gets washed a few times a year instead of never.
Shop the comforterShop nowHaven Well Within
Washable Silk Pillowcase
Smooth on sensitive skin and it goes in the washing machine.
Shop the pillowcase
Shop nowSlip
Pure Silk Sleep Mask
$50
Soft silk for a dark room, and gentle on skin around the eyes.
Shop the mask
Shop nowHatch
Restore 3
A sunrise alarm and sound machine that makes the bedroom a calmer place to be.
Shop the RestoreFor the pet lover
Allergic, and keeping the dog anyway
No dog is truly hypoallergenic. These make living with one easier.
Shop nowCasper
The Dog Bed
From $249
A bed of their own, outside your room. The cover zips off and goes in the wash.
Shop the bed
Shop nowFURminator
Undercoat deShedding Tool
$44.99
Removes loose undercoat before it ends up on floors and furniture. Use it outside.
Shop the tool
Shop nowChomChom
Pet Hair Remover Roller
$24.99
Reusable, no sticky sheets. A few passes over the couch or a coat.
Shop the rollerFor the home
The boring gifts that work
Allergen settles into carpet, couches and humid air. These are the tools that keep it down.
Shop nowKenmore
Elite Pet Friendly Upright
A sealed HEPA system, so what you vacuum up stays in the vacuum.
Shop the vacuum
Shop nowBlack+Decker
Dehumidifier
Dust mites need humidity. Keeping a room under 50 percent is the difference between the rest of the list working and not.
Shop the dehumidifier
Shop nowBoll & Branch
Throw Blanket
A couch throw that goes in a hot wash. Choose the organic cotton version.
Shop the throwPractical gifts
Useful gifts for sensitive people
Fragrance free, practical and used every day.
Shop nowEarthbath
Fragrance-Free Grooming Wipes
$17.99
A quick wipe-down for the dog before the couch. Fragrance free, so no new irritant.
Shop the wipes
Shop nowVanicream
Facial Moisturizer SPF 30
Fragrance free and simple. A good daily sunscreen for sensitive skin.
Shop the moisturizer
Shop nowHygea Natural
Dust Mite & Allergen Mattress Protector
Not glamorous, but the gift an allergist would give first. It seals all six sides of the mattress.
Shop the encasementSome links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing here is sponsored and no brand paid to be included. Prices were current when this page was written and may change.