Most people stay at home during the winter season because of the cold weather and lower number of outdoor activities available. While staying warm cuts the chances of getting cold-related conditions, it puts those suffering from allergies in a situation in which their symptoms may be triggered. At first, these allergic symptoms won't be detected since they're usually identical to those related with cold. But as the problem persists, the individual will end up realizing that their symptoms are allergy-related. Here are a few tips to avoid allergies in this winter.
Indoor allergens build up quickly in winter
If you've been suffering from allergies, then remaining at home puts you at-risk of triggering your allergic symptoms. In such circumstances, it's important that you manage your indoor environment to minimize the formation of allergens. As you might know, allergens quickly build up inside your immune system depending on the environment in which you are. It's only when they've reached a critical concentration level that you'll start displaying symptoms commonly associated with your allergy such as:
- Runny/stuffy nose
- Cough
Mistaking these symptoms with those of common cold-related conditions such sinus infections is very common.
Understanding how allergens build up and doing something about it
Most allergy physicians will tell you that there are three main categories of indoor allergens:
- Mold
- Pet dander
- Dust mites
Mold spots tend to form quickly in humid environments such as basements. To prevent their development, you'll need to make sure that each part of your home is sufficiently warm. Yet, poor insulation may negate your efforts to distribute an equal amount of heat in your home.
Pet dander may become a contributing factor if you own a dog or cat. Although these animals are great companions, they lose tiny skin cells during the winter season that might become the source of your health concerns.
Finally, dust mites are mostly found in bed sheets and may also trigger your allergic symptoms.
The best way to prevent allergens from concentrating is by cleaning your home. By creating and enforcing a household-cleaning schedule on a regular basis, you're guaranteed to minimize the appearance of allergic symptoms, and ultimately the taking of prescribed medications. Examples of cleaning tasks that your allergy physician will recommend are:
- Mopping floors
- Vacuuming carpets
- Dusting flat surfaces
You should also consider installing 1-2 air purifiers in your home as they have the ability to remove allergens from the air.
Share