Winter Allergies: Causes and Efficient Solutions
Fall and winter allergies may not be as
talked about as much as spring allergies are, but even as the
temperatures decrease, you still may experience seasonal allergies in
the chillier half of the year. During the winter, we spend most of our
time indoors which makes us more exposed to indoor allergens like
animals dander from pets, dust mites, and mold.
The allergies will manifest themselves with
the usual symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and
wheezing or shortness of breath. In severe cases, the symptoms may also
include rashes, fatigue, and headaches. Some of these symptoms can
easily be confused with those of a cold or the flu (or even Covid-19),
especially as those are more prevalent in the winter.
In case you suffer from allergies and would like to know why that
happens and how you can treat it, read on.
What causes winter allergies?
1. Pet Dander
About 3 in 10 people in the US have an
allergic reaction to cats or dogs according to the Asthma and Allergy
Foundation of America. During the cold winter months, pets tend to
remain indoors, which may make you more exposed to their dander (dead
skin), saliva, and urine, which are the main triggers for the immune
system to react and thus worsen your allergic reactions.
2. Mold and Mildew
These prevalent indoor allergens are a type of fungi that grows around
moist areas like leaky roofs, vents, and heating or cooling systems.
They cause inflammation in the nose called allergic rhinitis, which is
what happens in hay fever as well.
Mold and mildew tend to be more of a problem in old buildings with not
enough ventilation. Common household items that mold can grow on include
ceiling tiles, fabric, drywall, wood, and cardboard.
3. Dust Mites
These microscopic arthropods are one-third the size of a millimeter, so
of course, seeing them with the naked eye is impossible. They like heat
and humidity and tend to reside in bedding, carpets, stuffed toys, or
the inner layers of upholstered furniture, like couches.
How to treat winter allergies?
The best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid exposing yourself
to the allergens according to Matthew Ellison, MD, an assistant
professor of head and neck surgery at Duke University. Some of the
allergens we listed may seem tricky to clear up, but there are a few
simple ways to reduce them.
If you know you're allergic to dust, it would be a good idea to get dust
mite covers. These are zippered covers that go over the mattress. They
have small pores that prevent dust mites from entering the mattress;
that way you’re protected during your sleep. As for bed sheets, washing
them every one to two weeks should kill any dust mites.
Pet owners should vacuum the house
frequently to remove dander. In the case that it isn’t dust nor pet
dander that’s at fault, but rather mold, changing the air filters
frequently should improve the air quality. According to the Center for
Allergy and Asthma, the filter should be changed every 20 to 45 days,
especially if you suffer from allergies. Also, take a look at your
heating and ventilation systems to make sure there's no moisture that
could feed mold.
Finally, in the likely case that you’re unsure what is causing your
allergies, a portable air purifier might be the solution. They are known
to reduce the severity of allergens like pet dander, dust, mold, and
pollen. We hope this winter passes as easily as possible for everyone!