The mostly temperate climate in Tennessee is a main draw for people in snowy areas. Even in the middle of winter, our temperatures can jump to a temperature that might inspire someone to put on some shorts and fire up the grill.
While this is undoubtedly a positive trait for the area, it can have some mostly unseen consequences. One such negative aspect of our warm weather is how it affects frequent sources of allergies.
Many people might think the summertime is the only part of the year they have to visit an allergy specialist. But seasonal allergies work overtime here in Nashville. Here is what you can expect to experience for allergies throughout the cooler part of the year.
Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT) is an allergy clinic in Nashville, TN. Visit us to see how we can help alleviate your allergy symptoms.
The Source of Allergens
The winter months pose a double threat in Tennessee that might have you looking for an allergy specialist.
First, we tend to spend more time indoors during the winter. Even if the weather isn’t producing multiple feet of snow, the temperatures and short daylight hours give us reason to shorten our time outdoors.
You might think this would save us from exposure to things that trigger allergies, but unfortunately that’s not the case. The inside of our homes poses risks as well.
Second, outdoor allergies are still an issue despite the cooler weather. As we said earlier, it doesn’t get frequently cold enough to kill off all potential allergens so the outdoors remains a source of problems.
Let’s break each of these threats down a little more.
Indoor Allergies
We open our windows far less frequently in the winter, if at all. This means a large percentage of the air we breathe is recycled through our vents and pumped back into our homes. And even though we might do our best to clean up after ourselves, there are plenty of sources of allergens within our homes.
Dust mites are a main concern when it comes to indoor allergies. Dust mites are incredibly small and translucent arachnids (not bugs) that feed mostly on skin flakes. The good news is that they aren’t parasitic and don’t burrow into your skin. However, they contain proteins that can cause allergic reactions in many people. Their droppings can get blown around and inhaled, which leads to these reactions.
They live on items such as pillow cases, bedding, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. And since the weather is colder in the winter, we tend to use more bedding. This increases our exposure to the allergens associated with dust mites.
Aside from dust mites, the dander from our pets can compound over the winter months and affect many people.
The fact that we open the windows less means we are more susceptible to having reactions to mold and mildew. Tennessee is pretty humid in the summer which can lead to growth. And because of the fact that our windows are closed and it doesn’t get cold enough to kill everything off, this can be an issue.
Outdoor Allergies
Mold and mildew isn’t just a problem inside the house. One of the main sources of mold and mildew during the winter months are dead leaves. These leaves create a perfect scenario for mold growth.
The leaves themselves are a source of cellulose which serves as a food source for the mold. They also create a barrier when they are grouped together which traps in heat. The final ingredient is moisture, and we get plenty of rainfall in Tennessee throughout the winter.
Allergies and asthma can easily be sparked by mold growth in the yard. Wind gusts can kick it up to where it can be inhaled. Pets that alternate between the indoors and outdoors can get this mold growth caught in their fur. They then bring it inside to where it easily comes into contact with others in the home.
Pollen from trees is a frequent source of seasonal allergies. The middle of the winter like December and January are usually cold enough to hold this aspect back. However, those who bring Christmas trees into the home could be exposing themselves to the remnants of pollen stuck in the needles.
This grace period doesn’t last long, however. Tree pollen starts arriving as early as February.
What You Can Do About It
Indoor allergens can be fought with air filters. Since a lot of it gets circulated through your house, frequently switching out high-quality air filters will help reduce your exposure. Frequent sweeping, vacuuming, and laundering bedding will help reduce the possibility of coming into contact with dust mites.
Outdoor allergies will require a little planning. If you get a Christmas tree, let it sit in the garage for a few days for the pollen to fall off. Wipe down all animals that come inside so they don’t track outdoor allergens into the house. And be sure to rake and bag your dead leaves early in the year so they don’t get a chance to become a problem.
If winter allergies continue to be an issue, visit an allergy specialist in Nashville like Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee.
OAT has been helping people in the Nashville area for years. Visit us today to see what we can do for you.
