HealthTree Blog

If you’re a seasonal allergy suffer, you might think you are in the clear once the temperature drops. However, winter allergies can be your next culprit to feeling miserable. Many people mistake their illness for being a cold or the flu, but many times, it actually could be winter allergies.

Why Winter Allergies

The reason why people suffer from allergies in the winter is because they spend more time indoors. While this may be the solution for people who are allergic to pollen, this can be an issue for those who suffer from the following allergies:

• Dust
• Animals
• Perfumes
• Mold

Dust

The dust that has accumulated during the summer months in your heater vents, will blow wildly once you turn  the heat on. Not only that, the hot air will also blow dust from surfaces. The next thing you know, you are surrounded by dust.

Animals

Since you’re spending more time indoors, you’re spending more time with your animals. Many people think it’s animal fur that they are allergic to but that is not true, it’s the dander. Dander is basically dead skin that falls off. Dander usually becomes a bigger problem when you turn on the heat and your home becomes very dry. The other contributing factor to the increase in dander is not bathing your animals as often because of the cooler weather.

Perfumes

Perfumes don’t just have to be what you spritz on yourself before a holiday event (even though that is a big cause of allergies), it can also be the many scents of the season. It seems wherever you turn you’re faced with oils, candles, potpourri, and other perfume type items.

Mold

While mold grows in humid, wet areas, the heat that you turn on will send mold spores off into the air.

What To Do with Winter Allergies

Since you do have to spend more time indoors during the winter, you’ll have to try to make the best of it. Be sure to keep dust to a minimum by having your vents cleaned and dusting your home regularly. Keep your pets bathed and invest in products that will minimize dander. Take care of your mold during the summer and spring months so you don’t have it sitting waiting for the opportunity to send its spores throughout your home.