CAN YOU GET ALLERGIES IN THE WINTER?

For millions of people, there’s no such thing as “seasonal allergies.” That’s because they experience symptoms year-round—and, yes, that includes winter. Here’s why.

WHAT CAUSES WINTER ALLERGIES?
Although pollen production takes a break during winter, there’s no such stopping for indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and indoor mold. And, because you tend to spend more time inside during the winter months, you’re exposed to these indoor allergens more often.¹

Winter allergy symptoms are the same as other seasonal allergy symptoms and include a stuffed up and runny nose as well as itchy, watery eyes. But wait—how do you know if it’s a cold or allergies? Check out this quick chart to understand the difference between the two.

WINTER ALLERGY TRIGGERS
Although the symptoms and causes are the same, there are a few unique winter allergy triggers to watch out for like holiday decorations, humidifiers and, surprisingly, your own pets. Here’s what
to do:

Make sure
decorations
are mold-free

Christmas trees and holiday decorations are the perfect hosts for mold because it can grow anywhere and needs just moisture and oxygen to multiply. To avoid bringing mold into your house, spray down your live Christmas tree with a hose before setting it up and dust your holiday decorations.1

Beware of
the “Holiday
Effect.”

If you’re traveling without your pet for the holidays, your allergy symptoms might be worse when you get back home. Strange as it may seem, you can lose tolerance to your pet’s dander after being away for a few days. So be prepared to give yourself a few days to readjust.2

Change water
and filters in
your humidifier.

Humidifiers can help add moisture to dry winter air, soothing sinus passages. But if not maintained properly, they can become breeding grounds for dust mites and mold, which thrive in humid conditions. To keep allergens to a minimum, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your humidifier.3

Make sure
decorations
are mold-free

Christmas trees and holiday decorations are the perfect hosts for mold because it can grow anywhere and needs just moisture and oxygen to multiply. To avoid bringing mold into your house, spray down your live Christmas tree with a hose before setting it up and dust your holiday decorations.1

Beware of
the “Holiday
Effect.”

If you’re traveling without your pet for the holidays, your allergy symptoms might be worse when you get back home. Strange as it may seem, you can lose tolerance to your pet’s dander after being away for a few days. So be prepared to give yourself a few days to readjust.2

Change water
and filters in
your humidifier.

Humidifiers can help add moisture to dry winter air, soothing sinus passages. But if not maintained properly, they can become breeding grounds for dust mites and mold, which thrive in humid conditions. To keep allergens to a minimum, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your humidifier.3

Sources:

1. Ten Tricks to Combat Winter Allergies. (2013, January 3). Retrieved September 23, 2015, from http://nyp.org/news/hospital/2013-winter-allergies.html

2. Allergies, Asthma and Winter Holiday Triggers | AAAAI. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2015,
from https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/asthma-library/allergies,-asthma-and-winter-holidays.aspx

3. Humidifiers and Indoor Allergies. (n.d.). Retrieved September 23, 2015,
from http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/humidifiers-and-indoor-allergies

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