When the weather gets cold, people who suffer from typical spring allergies such as pollen may get a break. However, if you’re someone who spends a lot of time inside during the winter, you may begin to notice your allergy symptoms worsen. This can be due to a variety of things such as mold or even dust mites.
When it gets cold outside, you’re bound to turn your heat back on. When you do so, these devices can send dust, mold spores and even insect particles into the air. In order to avoid any reaction, seeking a solution from an ENT and Allergy Clinic may be the best option for you.
At Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee, we help our patients manage their sinus issues. If you’re unsure of where to begin when it comes to preparing for allergy season, we have you covered. Understanding the common types of winter allergens can prove to be helpful to your sinuses in the long run.
Here are some of the most common winter allergies to be aware of:
Dust Mites
Mold Spores
Animal Material
Treatment Options
See an Allergist in Nashville, TN
Dust Mites
One of the most common wintertime allergies is found through dust mite particles. Whether you’re allergic to the actual mite or their waste products, dealing with a dust mite allergy can be challenging, especially as you spend more time indoors as the weather declines. These microscopic bugs tend to flourish in the depths of any mattress or bedding.
With that in mind, as we sleep in our beds, fling off our sheets, and might not dust as often in the winter, dust mite waste can become airborne. This alone can cause a person suffering from a dust mite allergy to begin to show symptoms. In order to avoid an allergic reaction in your home during the winter, an ENT and Allergy Clinic can properly assess your allergies and get you the solutions you need.
Mold Spores
Mold spores are another common winter allergy to look out for. As a fungus thrives in damp, humid areas, your basement and bathrooms are prime locations for this allergen to grow. While mold is generally bad for everyone’s health if breathed in over long periods of time, if you have a mold allergy, you may begin to see even worse symptoms. If you become aware of a mold problem in your home, you should take action immediately. Depending on your unique situation, an allergist can help you find some form of relief in the meantime.
Animal Material
While most people are not allergic to animal fur, many do suffer from allergic reactions due to pet dander, saliva, and even urine. While we all love our pets, spending more time indoors with them during the damp, dry winters can leave those with animal allergies susceptible to all types of extreme reactions.
Whether your allergic reactions are mild or severe, avoiding symptoms all together can generally allow for a more peaceful wintertime existence. If you are experiencing any of the below symptoms due to pet material, you may want to visit a local ENT and Allergy Clinic.
Allergy symptoms caused by dust, animal material, or mold can often look like the following:
Coughing
Dark circles under the eyes
Hives on the body
Itchy eyes and nose
Runny nose
Sneezing
Watery eyes
Treatment Options
In preparation for winter allergies, finding the best treatment options is a good first step. Get in touch with an ENT and Allergy Clinic if you do not currently take medication to treat your allergies or do not know what causes your symptoms.
In general, allergy medications are recommended to be taken two weeks before symptoms usually occur. Preventing and reducing allergic reactions can be accomplished with over-the-counter medications. With the right prescribed medication solutions, you can ease stuffy noses, itchy eyes, and other allergy symptoms before they occur. Immunotherapy can help you to desensitize to allergens that you are bothered by and treat more than your symptoms.
See an Allergist in Nashville, TN
Unfortunately, there are bound to be allergens anywhere you go. The good news is that you can visit Otolaryngology Associates of Tennessee (OAT), an allergist in Nashville.
There are a variety of treatments that can be used to learn more about your particular allergies and treat them directly.
