What Type of Allergens Are There in the Winter?
Winter allergies are a problem for many people each year as the temperatures drop and the heaters are turned on. If you believe that you are allergic to winter, you should be aware of the things in your home triggering these allergies so you can act to prevent them. Though many allergens exist all year round, they tend to be more severe during the winter when the increased use of your heater can blow around things like dust and dander.
-
Mold and Mildew
-
The humid areas in your home are at the most risk of developing mold and mildew which ultimately lead to allergy problems, especially during the winter. These areas include the basement, bathrooms and other possible water-damaged areas. As mold collects in high humidity areas of your home, it releases allergy-causing spores that trigger your allergies. The best way to keep these pesky mold allergies away during the winter is by using a dehumidifier in your basement to keep the humidity below 50 percent.
Pet Allergens
-
Although you might think you get allergies from your pets' fur, this is actually not the case. Most pet allergies come from the dander, or dead skin flakes, that come off of your cats and dogs, most often in the wintertime. These dead skin flakes contain proteins which trigger allergies. If you have rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs in your home you should be aware that they release allergens through their urine which may also trigger your allergies.
-
Dust Mites
-
Every home contains dust which feeds microscopic organisms known as dust mites. In the winter as you run the heater more often, these dust mites release particles which trigger indoor allergies. They can be found anywhere in your home but are most common in the bedroom where your human dander is most prevalent. If your child sleeps with a favorite stuffed animal, wash it regularly as dust mites tend to migrate towards stuffed toys.
Prevent Winter Allergies
-
To prevent and treat your winter allergies, the main objective is to keep your house as clean as possible. If you have carpets, have them cleaned regularly, especially just before winter hits and at least once during the winter season. Wash your bedding once a week in hot water and if you have a severe winter allergy problem, use an allergen-proof mattress. Clean any visible mold or mildew with a bleach solution and keep your house dust-free by cleaning often. The person without allergies should do the cleaning as dust will float through the air during cleaning and trigger these allergies. Beware of humidifiers and air cleaners as these often cause humidity which is high enough to bring on mold and mildew.
-
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/BananaStock/Getty Images
