As the weather gets colder, more people are spending less time outdoors and more time indoors where it’s warm. With this change in temperature, some may be wondering why they are still feeling under the weather or sick despite not being exposed to external allergens at the same rates as before. If you have been suffering from allergy-like symptoms lately and have wondered why, you may be experiencing indoor allergies!
What Are Indoor Allergies?
Indoor allergies are overexposure to specific allergens found in the home. In the summer, you may be more inclined to spend time outdoors, exposing yourself to pollen. However, when more people choose to spend time indoors in the winter, we become more exposed to indoor allergens that previously may not have bothered us. Some of the most common allergens that cause winter allergies are:
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Mold
- Bug or rodent excrement
Although we are spending more time indoors, that does not mean that we are less exposed to irritating allergens. If you have been feeling under the weather or would like to prevent yourself from getting sick during this winter season, it is recommended that you regularly clean commonly used rooms in your home. While it is still important to clean your entire home, common areas such as the living room and bedroom likely see more interaction and therefore tend to build up dust, dander, and other allergens faster than less commonly used areas of your home. Regular cleaning and vacuuming can greatly limit your exposure to allergens and adding dust mite covers to mattresses and pillows or using HEPA filters can greatly reduce your chances of suffering from indoor allergies.
Common Winter Indoor Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms and cold symptoms are often indistinguishable. While their symptoms may overlap, cold symptoms result from the body trying to eliminate a virus, while allergy symptoms are an inflammatory response to certain irritants. Some commonly experienced allergy symptoms include:
- Runny/ stuffed up nose
- Itchy eyes
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Overall sick feeling
Contact Us
If you have been experiencing symptoms with exposure to indoor allergens or would like help managing other allergy symptoms, contact the experts at Bernstein Allergy Group. Our experienced staff will go above and beyond to figure out the cause of your allergies and find the best treatment plan that works for you. If you would like more information about how we can help you or you would like to schedule an appointment with us, you can call us at 513-931-0775. We look forward to seeing how we can help you manage your allergy symptoms.
