Although you can fully relax this cold season because seasonal allergies, such as pollen allergies can leave you alone for a while there are still others there who are dealing with winter allergies. If you think you are one of them, visit your allergy doctor to make sure what kind of allergy you have and for you find out the proper medications for it.
WHAT IS A WINTER ALLERGY?
During these cold months is when people with winter allergies find it hard to deal with other things. It is said that winter allergies are caused by indoor allergens such as mold, animal dander, and dust mites. If you spend too much time inside your house, you will notice that attacks are more frequent and symptoms increase like getting watery eyes, itchy, sneezing and wheezing.
Here are the common indoor winter allergens that you have to be aware of:
- Cockroach Droppings
You know that these pests can survive anywhere, no matter how sanitary you are. But in order to keep them at bay keep all your food and leftovers properly contained, sealed, and stored. Make it a habit to clean crumbs and other food residues. Have your faucets and pipes checked for any leaks and have them well-sealed to keep cockroaches from lingering within the dark corners of your home.
- Dust Mites
One of the most common causes of allergies is dust mites that stays in carpets, beddings and other upholstered furniture within your household.
- Indoor Mold
Everyone gets to breathe in with mold, but those dealing with allergies and exposure to it can cause itchiness, congestion, and sneezing. These allergens are present in bathrooms and basements.
- Dander
Danders is the dead skin flakes of your household pets and not their hair. It’s those flakes that cause the supreme allergic reaction in most people.
Ways To Prevent Hinder Winter Allergies
What most people don’t know is that during this winter season, lifestyle is what makes a simple allergic symptom of winter allergies worse due to the lifestyle. So here are ways to keep your allergens from attacking during this cold weather:
- Keep your room temperature below 50 percent to get rid of dust mites. You can also use a humidifier to lessen the dryness in the air within your home. Because when you humidity goes more than 60 percent dust mites and molds can thrive in.
- Since dust mites love certain textures, wall-to-wall carpeting can be the best place for them to stay and pester you. It’s best to use area rugs and floor rugs.
- Regularly vacuum your space, clean, and dust surfaces to get rid of allergens.
- Make it a weekly habit to wash your sheets and linens in hot water to kill and completely stop dust mites from thriving. While using hypoallergenic pillowcases and mattress covers to trap dust mites.
- As for your furry house members, bathe them once a week to reduce dander. Frequent bathing can cause dryness to your pet’s skin and coat. Also, limit them from staying inside the room of family members who are prone to allergies to keep them safe from allergy attacks.
- After you play with your pets, change your clothes, wash your hair and bathe well before hitting the sack to avoid allergens from sleeping with you.
- Regularly clean your hardwood floors with a damp mop to keep dust from flying in the air.
- Keep bathroom and kitchen surfaces dry and clean to hinder molds from thriving. Proper insulation can reduce molds from growing on cold surfaces and corners.
- If you are the one who is personally suffering from winter allergies, ask someone from your household member to do the vacuuming, cleaning, and dusting and while they’re doing that, leave the house (if you can) until the work is done.
You may have done your part to allergy-proof your entire house, places outside your comfort zone, your workplace can also be a place where allergens can linger in. Pet parents can have dander residue on clothes and hair and may transport them in public places every time they go out.
So if winter allergy is something new to you a regular visit to your allergy clinic can help you with safety precautions and proper medications in dealing with this kind of allergy. You can also help yourself by keeping your space clean at all times and never let this allergy ruin your winter wonderland vibe.
