Are there winter allergies

Preparing for the holidays? I have terrible allergies every winter. What can I do to make them more tolerable this year? Unlike fall or spring allergies, which are often responses to outdoor allergens, such as pollen or ragweed, most winter allergies are triggered by substances inside your home. Common indoor allergens include dust mites, mold, and pet dander, and they can prompt a host of symptoms, from a runny nose and sneezing to a sore throat and itchy eyes.

While these indoor allergens are present year-round, allergies can flare up in the winter because you're cooped up in the house with the windows closed. Your home's furnace may also be circulating these substances through the air once the heat kicks on. To continue reading this article, you must log in.

Already a member? Login ». Dust Mites These microscopic bugs might be the most common cause of year-round indoor allergies, notes the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America. Indoor Mold We all breathe in mold spores, but for those with an allergy, exposure can trigger sneezing, congestion, and itchiness. Mold and mildew favor damp areas, like basements and bathrooms.

Fixing leaky faucets and pipes and sealing up cracks and crevices in your home can help keep cockroaches away. Rank, and other allergy experts offer these tips for minimizing indoor allergen exposure in winter: Use a humidifier to reduce dryness in the air, but don't turn your home into a rain forest: Dust mites thrive in humidity over 60 percent and temperatures of 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mold also grows faster in high humidity. Rank recommends a maximum humidity of 50 percent. Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting, which provides a favorable environment for dust mites. Use area rugs instead. Clean, dust, and vacuum regularly, using a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air HEPA filter. Wash sheets weekly in hot water — at least degrees Fahrenheit — to kill dust mites , and use hypoallergenic cases for mattresses and pillows to keep dust mites trapped.

To minimize dander , bathe pets once a week — though not more often, as more frequent bathing can dry out a pet's coat and skin — and keep animals out of the bedroom of anyone in the house who has allergies. When you know the exact cause of your symptoms whether it be dust, pet dander, or something more unusual , you can create a much more targeted approach to clearing allergens from your environment. Check for mold. Mold grows in damp environments, such as your bathroom or basement.

Check these areas for mold growth and remove any sources of standing water. Try a salt water spray. During the winter, your nose can dry up in the same way that your skin does due to the cold, dry air outside and the warm, dry air inside. This drying out can cause some people to be more prone to nosebleeds in the winter. To prevent this, use salt water sprays or nasal gels.

Smoke can be tough on winter allergies. So, have your chimney cleaned each year and replace your fireplace screen with a fireplace door. Wipe your feet. Clean your shoes before stepping inside so wet leaves and other potential winter-allergy carriers stay outside. Be smart with storage. Store seasonal items in air-tight containers when not in use to help prevent dust and mold build-up.

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