Think allergies go away in the
winter? Think again. Here are the top triggers and the treatments.
The temperature drops, the wind
picks up, and like clockwork you're sniffling and sneezing again. Great, you've
got another cold -- or is it winter allergies, instead?
How to Tell Colds and Winter
Allergies Apart: At first blush it may
be hard to tell whether your stuffed nose and watery eyes are caused by
allergies to irritants like pet dander and dust mites, or by a winter cold.
Fortunately, a little time is all it takes to answer the question. Colds come, they're there for three, five,
seven days, and then they go away. But
allergy symptoms persist for much longer and may be intermittent.
To tell what's laying you low, it
helps to know the differences between cold symptoms and winter allergies,
including:
Winter Allergies and Colds
* Nasal secretions are watery, clear
* Nasal secretions are discolored
* Itchy eyes and throat
* Chills and body aches
* Symptoms persist for weeks
* Symptoms are usually gone in a
week
If it sounds like your snuffling
and sneezing could be winter allergies, read on – there might be some relief in
sight.
So you’re having some winter allergies: It hardly seems fair, but if you're prone to
summer allergies, chances are you're at risk for allergies when the weather
turns cold, too.
The reason is simple: Many of
those warm weather irritants are around all year, like pet dander, mold, and
mildew. And once you settle indoors for the chilly holiday season - the windows
closed and the heater on -your exposure to these allergens spikes.
The best way to handle winter
allergies is to understand what's triggering them and why. And how you can take
control.
Here are the top triggers of
winter allergies
Most winter allergies are caused
by the same inhaled allergens of summer and winter can actually intensify those
triggers, including:
·
Pet dander: Because cold weather means pets are
indoors more often, your exposure to dander escalates in the winter months,
leading to a corresponding surge in symptoms.
·
Mold and mildew: Decaying leaves and other yard
waste gives mold and mildew an ideal breeding ground. Shoes and clothes then
provide these damp, clingy irritants with an easy way inside.
·
Temperate climates: Milder climates -- where
there are few or no frosts or hard freezes -- means the year-round presence of
allergens like pollen, year-round symptoms for people living there, or an
increase in allergy symptoms for those traveling to warmer climates in the
winter.
·
Damp wood: Cut wood stored outside easily
becomes a moist haven for mold spores. Bring the wood inside for even brief
storage and you've invited in a classic allergy trigger.
What about other woody
centerpieces of the season, like Christmas trees and roaring fires? Do these
trigger winter allergies, too?
Probably not. Wood smoke from a
fireplace may aggravate existing symptoms in those susceptible – but not cause
them. And it's not the Christmas tree itself that may fire up your winter
allergies, but the mold it harbors. Smoke, trees, scented candles, they're irritants,
not allergens per se.
If you find any of these irritate
your allergy symptoms, the pros suggest switching to an artificial Christmas
tree (kept dust-free), potpourri, and even electric fires.
·
Avoid Allergens. The first and best treatment
for winter allergies is to avoid what you're allergic to. For example, stay
indoors when the wind is whipping up damp leaves in the yard, and keep indoor
allergens to a minimum by mopping, sweeping, and dusting often.
·
Wash Away Allergens. Washing your hands and face
frequently reduces the number of allergens you carry -- and spread. When
allergy symptoms are intense, take a shower; it removes allergens from your
hair and encourages you to change the clothes that allergens may be clinging
to.
·
A bonus: The steam of a hot bath or shower may
relieve allergy symptoms like sinus congestion.
·
Wash Bedding Often. Most bedrooms are havens for
pet dander and dust mites. You can keep these and other allergens down by washing
your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water. A weekly wash is great,
but twice a month is fine, too.
·
And Get Better Bedding. Look for bedding that's
specially designed to be less permeable to allergens like dust mites. You can
start your search online with the term "allergy bedding."
·
Try a Saline Solution. Irrigation with saltwater
is a great home remedy to relieve the nasal congestion that may be part and
parcel of winter allergies. Look for saline at most drugstores, or make your
own by mixing in a squirt bottle one teaspoon of non-iodized salt to eight
ounces of water.
·
Get More Moisture. When you're blowing your nose
all the time and the thermostat is cranked up, it's easy to get dehydrated.
·
Pump up the fluids by carrying around a water
bottle, eating more water-rich fruits and veggies, or enjoying hot tea. A side
benefit to hot drinks: their steam may reduce nasal congestion.
·
The Air Needs Moisture, Too. It's an indoor balancing act: Too little
moisture in the air may irritate nose and throat; too much encourages mold and
mildew growth. Costing as little as $5, a hygrometer -- a humidity monitor --
can help you track the moisture in your house and adjust with a
humidifier/dehumidifier accordingly. Aim for humidity no lower than 30% and no higher
than 50%.
·
Take Allergy Medication. Allergy meds can
relieve symptoms like itchy eyes and nasal congestion, yet over-the-counter or
prescription drugs won't do you much good if you don't use them right.
·
Managing winter allergies is easier if you take
medication before symptoms appear, and if you remember that taking more
medicine doesn't lead to fewer symptoms. Follow label directions carefully and
you should get the relief you crave.
And you're not alone with winter
allergies. More than 40 million people are allergy-prone year-round.
If you aren't getting the relief
you need with lifestyle changes or over-the-counter medication, it may be time
to talk to an allergist - Bird
