When we think of allergy season, the image brought to mind is often of flowing plants and pollen or the dry leaves of fall. Yet allergies can happen all year round, even during the months of winter. Often winter allergies get mistaken for being cold or flu symptoms and do not get properly treated, making sufferers go longer without relief. Here are a few tips on how to reduce allergies during the winter.
Control Humidity at Home
Cold winter months means that we spend more time indoors, thus making our homes warmer and more comfortable. Make sure to check water heaters and pipes regularly for signs of leaks, and if you cannot resist the urge to warm up with long baths or showers, be certain to run fans and ventilate the room once you are done so that mold does not have a chance to grow.
Decorate Without Dust
While it might be easier to pull last year’s tinsel and lights from their boxes and straight onto the tree, doing so might introduce a lot of unwanted dust into your home. Unpack boxes away from carpet and upholstered furniture, and make sure to give everything a good dusting before putting it festively on display.
Beware of Guests Bringing in Pollen Along with Presents
Although many guests will be courteous and wipe their shoes before entering a home, the truth is that we bring pollen, dust, and pollutants inside on more than just our feet. Our hair and clothes can pick up these tiny pollutants and transfer them inside. Allergy sufferers are often advised to shower and put on a clean change of clothes after coming home, but when guests come to call, this is not an option. Instead, if you have lots of family and friends coming to celebrate, make sure to clean more than usual by vacuuming carpets and upholstery, cleaning sheets frequently, and capturing any pollen that escapes by running an air purifier with a true HEPA filter.
