Winter Allergies: Causes, How To Treat, & More

Winter allergies are uncomfortable, dangerous, and can ruin the holiday season for yourself and your loved ones. Fortunately, there are ways to treat such allergies and prevent them from flaring up again. Of course, we’ll have to understand the causes of winter allergies before anything else.

Let’s discuss these along with the possible effective treatments:

Causes of Winter Allergies

Before you begin to tackle the allergies, you should know what triggers them and their symptoms. You might see an upsurge in those sniffles, sneezes, and itchiness when you’re indoors more often, for example. This might be a direct pointer to the fact that you have indoor allergens, such as mold. Other triggers could include:

• Dander: these are your household pets’ skin flakes that may cause allergy
• Dust mites: These are tiny bugs that thrive in your carpets, bedding, and upholstery
• Droppings: The dropping of cockroaches especially are a trigger risk and could occur due to unsealed, cracked, and leaky pipes.

Preventing Winter Allergies

Now that you know the possible causes of your allergies, you know how to prevent them. Timely action like fixing any leaks and sealing those cracks may keep you much healthier this winter.

Plus, it’s also a good idea to avoid turning up the heat too much. Too much heat results in excessive dryness, which would irritate your nasal passages even further. Instead, you can use humidifiers to up the moisture, but don’t overdo it.

You also want to avoid full carpeting in any room, as this will only attract more dust mites. Keep a strict eye on your dusting and vacuuming schedule to do away with this risk. It might also be a good idea to invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

Other precautions include washing your sheets every week using hot water, bathing your pets weekly as well, and using hypoallergenic fabrics whenever possible. Check your room for mold growths regularly, and get proper treatment if you see any telltale symptoms of such risks.

Treating the Symptoms

The first step in treating your winter allergies may require a visit to an ENT doctor in Dallas. Some might stick to OTC medication, but experts have warned that these might increase the problems rather than solve them.

OTC drugs might have a lot of unwanted side effects, such as increasing our heart rate or drying out your internal tissues. Therefore, it’s best to have a straightforward consultation with your doctor and get the best possible treatment options.

If you’re allergic to your pets and find the symptoms growing worse during the winter season, there are allergy shots and tablets available to counteract the issue. This could give you the lasting relief you need in this season. Still, you should consult a certified health practitioner first.

While prevention is the best way to go, there are also ways to treat your winter allergies. These might not get rid of your symptoms completely or permanently, but even the temporary relief could be a blessing.

One example is the neti pot, which is for irrigating your nasal passages and clearing them out. Once you know how to use a neti pot, you’ll be able to breathe more easily and sooth the irritation or inflammation in that area.

Finally, you can also try a nasal spray. There are prescription-strength versions available, though they’re usually available over-the-counter as well. Using these regularly could soothe your inflammation and control that runny nose.

The Takeaway

You’ll have to work hard to stave off those pesky allergies, but don’t give up! A little more effort and preparation will give you the health and energy you need at this time. Don’t let those allergens get you down; get started on the above tips right away!