Even though freezing temperatures
bring an end to seasonal pollen allergies, millions of people are living with
winter allergies because of the time spent indoors during cool weather. A home
can actually contribute to sickness due to winter allergens. Forced-air
furnaces circulate airborne dust containing lint, fabric fiber, bacteria, food
material and animal dander. Even wood-stoves have this effect. Three of the
most common allergens - house dust mites, animal dander and cockroach droppings
- are worse in winter when there is less ventilation.
Some common symptoms of indoor,
winter allergies are sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, coughing, post nasal drip,
and itchy eyes, nose and throat.
In arid climates, there are very
low levels of dust mite allergen due to the lack of relative humidity, which is
necessary for dust mite survival. In these areas, the predominant winter indoor
allergen is either animal dander or cockroach allergen.
Here are the steps to take to
minimize your indoor allergen exposure:
·
Keep humidity below 40 percent in the home to
reduce dust mites.
·
Remove wall-to-wall carpet, especially carpet
over concrete. (Dampness can accumulate between the concrete and pad/carpet,
creating an environment for dust mites and mold).
·
Good insulation can help cut down on mold by
reducing condensation on cold surfaces, and drying wet surfaces can keep mold
from growing.
·
Wash bedding in hot water (at least 130° F) once
a week to reduce the mite load in the bedding.
·
Encase pillows and mattresses in impermeable
covers again to reduce exposure of dust mite allergen.
·
Avoid down pillows and comforters which form a
nice habitat for dust mites and can, in and of themselves, be allergenic.
·
Clean regularly and use a damp mop for cleaning
hard floors to avoid stirring up dust.
·
If you are the one who is suffering during the
winter months, have someone else in your house do the dusting and vacuuming. If
you can, leave the house while the cleaning is being done.
·
You may find it helps to open a window or door
on warmer days. Especially try to air out your house right after cleaning so
the allergens and dust you've kicked up have a place to escape.
·
Minimize contact with pets, and keep them out of
the bedrooms to reduce the amount of allergen in the room.
All during the year, the possibility exists for people with
respiratory problems to suffer from allergy attacks. During the holiday season,
however, more hidden dangers to health exist. Here are some tips for everyone -
especially those suffering from asthma, allergies and other respiratory
diseases - to stay healthy during the holiday season.
Close
Contact: During the holidays, family and friends gather in celebration. People
are hugging and kissing hello and goodbye and, unfortunately, respiratory
viruses get passed around. If you have a cold, use good judgment about close
physical contact.
Irritating
Odors and Cold Air: People with allergies may be exposed to smoke at parties
and irritating odors. One person's fragrant cologne is another person's
irritant. Also, kids with viral illnesses and asthma may be affected by the
cold winter air. To prevent an onset of respiratory problems caused by
breathing cold air, encourage children to breathe through their noses instead
of their mouths and cover noses and mouths with scarves to keep cold air out of
the airways.
Festive
Foods: Food preparation is an issue for those with food allergies. You can eat
your own turkey dressing but what if you go to a party where the hostess makes
hers with walnuts and you're allergic to walnuts? In extreme cases, you may
have to bring your own meal. But generally, it's sufficient to let the hostess
know about allergies well before the gathering, especially if kids have food
allergies. Call ahead. Take time to be prepared. And don't leave your
medications at home - bring your medications with you so that you're ready to
react in an emergency.
Gift Giving:
Gifts are seasonal delights, but consider a child's possible allergies before
you bring goodies to the cash register. Let parents make the decision about
gifts such as stuffed animals or live pets that can trigger allergic reactions.
Look for toys that don't have strong odors associated with them.
Frenzied
Schedules: Staying up late, eating junk food and getting excited can all
trigger asthma attacks. People who have chronic problems such as asthma should
pay attention to their normal preventive measures and make sure they're taking
their preventive medications regularly. It's important to monitor chronic
illnesses around holidays and when on vacation, while normal schedules aren't
followed.
Christmas tree Allergies:
Christmas trees are often cited as the source of allergy attacks during the
holidays, but molds, associated with watering live trees and the chemicals
sprayed on the trees are more likely irritants. There are very few cases among
allergy patients in which the tree is the culprit. Allergic reactions usually
occur shortly after an encounter with an allergen, such as dust mites or molds.
Unpacking the Christmas ornaments can trigger allergic reactions. Decorations
stored in a damp basement harbor molds, dust mites and other allergens. Moving,
carrying and unpacking the Christmas boxes stirs up dust and transfers
allergens to the hands and the respiratory system. Many people are first aware
of the symptoms while decorating the Christmas tree and assume that the tree is
the cause.
Keep ornaments and decorations stored in dry areas, off the
floor, in plastic bags. Also, wash your hands after unpacking decorations. If
you're very concerned about allergy symptoms, allow others to trim the tree.
Wintertime and holidays should
not be the time to suffer - Bird
