Dealing With Winter Allergies

Winter and Allergies are not two words a person would think go hand in hand. During the winter months people spend more time indoors, and those who have indoor allergies will experience a flare up.

Causes:

Dust mites and mold lay dormant all year round in your heating ducts and when you turn on your heater as the temperature drops these particulates enter the air, and are likely to enter your airways as well. As this occurs it triggers your allergies.

Typical Indoor Allergens:

• Mold – This culprit is a fungus which grows especially well in areas which are damp including bathrooms and basements. They have small spores which enter the air causing allergies to flare.
• Animals – The dander, saliva, and urine of animals contain a protein which causes an allergic reaction in many individuals.
• Dust Mites – Mattresses and bedding are the perfect breeding ground for these microscopic bugs. Their feces is the actual allergen culprit, when their waste and remnants of their remains circulate through the air they create allergy symptoms.

Allergy flares can be different for everyone, but most people experience these general symptoms:

• Itchy/watery eyes
• Itchy/runny nose
• Coughing/sneezing
• Dark circles under the eyes

It is important to have an exam by your family physician to be sure of a proper diagnosis.There are further tests which can be run to find out the specific allergens which are affecting you in your daily life. Some symptoms for allergies can appear to be cold or flu related when in fact your allergies are flaring up.

A typical cold has a lifespan of around 10 days, so if you are experiencing symptoms for longer, say for weeks, or even months, it is probably your allergies.