Allergies may seem worse in winter
Q: My allergies seem to be worse now than in the spring. Is there a reason why?
A: As the winter chill sets in, many of us find ourselves spending more time inside our homes compared to other times of the year. For those with certain indoor allergies, the worsening of your allergy symptoms when you are indoors more often makes sense.
For example, many of us love the company of our furry friends. However, allergies to pet dander are very common, and spending more time indoors among our pets may be contributing to worsening allergy symptoms.
Another example is dust mite allergy. Dust mites are microscopic insects that live in the soft, fluffy materials in our homes, such as mattresses, pillows, carpets and stuffed animals. In the winter months, as we spend more time curled up inside with our favorite blanket on the warm couch, we may notice worsening allergy symptoms due to this dust mite allergy.
Indoor humidifiers combat dry winter air, but they may become breeding grounds for mold growth. If you are allergic to molds, this is another reason your symptoms are worse. Cleaning humidifiers weekly with a dilute bleach and water solution helps prevent mold. Also, we recommend maintaining humidity levels below 40% to deter dust mites and minimize the risk of mold growth.
Lastly, cold weather prompts us to seal our homes (closing doors and windows), reducing fresh air exchange and trapping these allergens indoors with us. Additionally, modern energy-efficient homes and updates in older houses contribute to less outdoor air circulating inside. This results in breathing the same air repeatedly, allowing indoor allergens to accumulate, especially during winter.
If you have specific concerns or need personalized advice, come see us at The Allergy and Asthma Group of Galen. We can offer comprehensive environmental allergy testing to see if these indoor allergies are indeed the answer for your increased symptoms, and more importantly, provide you with options for long-term relief.
Stay warm, stay informed, and enjoy the winter season!