Summer, fall, and spring allergies are seasonal. They happen when some allergens like ragweed or pollen are abundant in the atmosphere. Winter allergens are more dependent on lifestyle than on season. Most allergens responsible for winter allergies are indoors. That’s why people who spend most of their time indoors are more prone to winter allergies. If you’re living in a poorly ventilated house that you spend most of the time in, chances are you’ll suffer from winter allergies. Winter allergies cannot quickly arise due to outdoor triggers. Being exposed to allergens inside a poorly ventilated home or office can be the cause of your winter allergies.
Winter Allergies Causes
Many people view allergies as seasonal, arising from ragweed, tree, and grass pollen. Seasonal allergies may occur as weeds function in the fall, grasses overgrow during winter, and trees produce pollen. If you live in an area with a warm climate most of the year, you can suffer from allergies during winter. That’s because some plants tend not to go dormant during winter.
1. Dead Skin Flakes
Dead skin flakes are also called dander. They can trigger winter allergies by causing chronic or acute allergic reactions in your household.
2. Cockroach Droppings
Cockroaches are persistent pests that can live in almost every place. Their droppings can cause winter allergies. Sealing crevices and cracks and fixing leaky pipes and faucets can assist in avoiding cockroach invasion in your home.
3. Dust Mites
Dust mites are microscopic bugs that may be the main reason behind the annual indoor allergies in your home. These bugs can thrive in the upholstered furniture, carpeting, and bedding inside your home.
4. Indoor Mold
Mold spores are common in our homes, and we all breathe them unknowingly. If you have an allergy, exposure to indoor molds can result in itchiness, sneezing, and congestion. Mildew and mold favor damp places such as bathrooms and basements. We should all try to keep these places dry most of the time to prevent mold and mildew that can cause winter allergies from growing.
5. Christmas Pine Tree
Most people put a fresh pine tree inside their homes during the holidays. The new pine tree can trigger allergic reactions. Contributing factors include strong odors, mold spores, and pollen that the tree emits into the atmosphere.
6. Mountain Cedar
Mountain cedar releases higher quantities of pollen. The pollen released is in large amounts to the extent that it makes the tree producing them look like it’s on fire. People living in areas with mountain cedar can suffer from winter pollen allergies. Symptoms of winter allergies from mountain cedar include runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itchy nose and eyes.
The Bottom Line
Treatment for winter allergies involves reducing your exposure to allergens. There are also over-the-counter medications like decongestants and antihistamines available for patients with winter allergies. If your allergy symptoms don’t go away even after using these treatment options, ensure you seek help from your doctor. Your doctor will introduce you to other treatment strategies to help you manage your symptoms and avoid your triggers.
