Pet dander, dust mites and mold spores can trigger allergies that result in runny noses, sneezing fits, nasal congestion and itchy eyes – symptoms which typically worsen during winter when people spend more time indoors. These indoor allergens should be addressed throughout the year to maintain good indoor air quality for everyone’s wellbeing.
Avoiding allergens is ideal, but when that is not feasible antihistamines may provide relief from allergy symptoms.
Clean Your Home Regularly
Cleaning and drying your home regularly is one of the best ways to combat indoor allergies, such as dust mite droppings, animal dander, cockroach droppings and mold spores which often trigger runny noses, itchy eyes and asthma symptoms. Although no home is free from allergens entirely, regular cleaning with natural cleaners and operating a dehumidifier will help significantly decrease allergy symptoms.
Vacuuming carpet and upholstery weekly using a HEPA filter vacuum will capture and eliminate dust and allergens from fabric fibers, while wiping down hard surfaces with damp cloth is important as well.
Pet dander can trigger allergies, so it is advisable to keep pets out of the bedroom at night. Regular grooming and laundry of pet blankets, beds and stuffed animals will also help minimize pet dander levels. Furthermore, running a dehumidifier and limiting plant numbers in the house will lower humidity levels and mold growth – another contributing factor to indoor allergies.
Boost Your Home’s Air Filtration
Allergens can be found throughout your home and can cause various allergy-related symptoms, from sneezing and runny nose to itchy eyes and even headaches. Consulting with a professional home inspector and indoor air specialist could help improve air quality in your environment and help create healthier living spaces.
Millions of people experience allergy symptoms year-round caused by indoor allergens such as animal dander, dust mite droppings, and cockroach parts. When our immune systems overreact and produce antibodies against these allergens, symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny nose or scratchy throat arise as their immune systems overreacts and produces antibodies which attack these allergens, often leading to symptoms like itchy eyes, runny noses or scratchy throats.
Reduce exposure to allergens by replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors, laundering bedding in hot water weekly and using mite-proof mattress covers or “mite-proof” mattress pads and pillow protectors. In addition, closing windows and doors to keep out cold air will help minimize indoor allergies as will using an HVAC system with a MERV 11 or 12 rating capable of filtering allergens; additionally opt for an air cleaner with a filter CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly(r), so mold spores, candle and cigarette smoke, skin cells and pet dander will be eliminated from your air system.
Keep the Humidity in Your Home to 50% or Less
Humidity refers to the amount of moisture vapor present in the air. For optimal indoor humidity levels–between 30%-50%–and the prevention of allergens like dust mites, mold and pet dander–it is advised to keep indoor humidity within this range.
High humidity levels can bring with them many health problems, from mildew and mold growth in damp environments, condensation on windows and musty odors to increasing allergen concentration in the air, leading to itchy skin symptoms as well as running noses and eyes.
If your symptoms include constant sneezing, itchy eyes and watery nose year-round and don’t change with seasons like winter, it could be nonseasonal allergic rhinitis (perennial allergy rhinitis). This condition is caused by indoor allergens like cat dander, dust mites and mold spores; symptoms may become worse during cold weather when spending more time indoors. A dehumidifier will help lower indoor humidity, while frequent vacuuming should help remove allergens trapped beneath dirt particles; washing bedding in hot water every seven to 10 days will kill dust mites and other allergens that might otherwise remain.
Avoid Plants and Clutter
Allergies can be caused by exposure to pollen from trees and grasses, mold spores, animal dander, mold spores, animal droppings or cockroach droppings that remain present year-round. You could also suffer from allergies caused by pet dander, dust mites or mold spores in your own home – or external allergens like pollen from trees or grasses.
Allergens can cause symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose and scratchy throat when your immune system overreacts to them. Your body produces antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), which then travel to cells that release chemicals that trigger allergic reactions causing symptoms like itching eyes, runny nose or scratchy throat.
If you are suffering from allergy symptoms this winter, it’s essential that your home be free from allergens. By taking steps such as increasing cleaning frequency, upgrading air filters and keeping humidity levels low, as well as using antihistamines, decongestants, inhaled steroids or leukotriene modifiers it will help prevent your allergy symptoms from worsening further. Immunotherapy treatment could also prove highly beneficial – one proven long-term option being immunotherapy treatment which has shown promising results in recent trials.
Talk to Your Primary Care Provider
Allergies can be an impediment to daily life, with symptoms ranging from sneezing and watery eyes to nasal congestion causing severe discomfort. While over-the-counter medications may temporarily help alleviate these symptoms, effective allergy management requires eliminating allergens from your routine and altering it to address your specific circumstances. According to Janna French, FNP-BC of Kentucky as an advanced practice provider* “to minimize symptoms it’s essential to check forecasted pollen counts on days when it will be high. When indoors use doors/windows closed and use a dehumidifier”.
When someone becomes allergic to something in their environment – like animal dander, dust mite droppings, cockroach droppings or mold spores – their immune system overreacts and releases antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These IgE antibodies travel directly to cells which release chemicals which trigger an allergic response affecting noses, throats, mouths, eyes or ears. For optimal management or prevention of allergies it is advisable that individuals track symptoms as well as when and what makes symptoms better or worsens them so as this information will enable them to create plans to prevent or manage their allergies effectively.
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