Most winter allergies are triggered by indoor allergens. Although these allergens are usually in your house throughout the year, they may flare up during the winter because you spend more time indoors with your windows closed. Your heating system may also circulate them throughout the house. Find out what these common winter allergens are and how you can avoid them or minimize exposure to them.
Common Winter Allergens
The indoor allergens that commonly trigger allergy symptoms in the winter include:
Pet dander. You can find pet dander from cats and dogs on almost any surface in your home. They can cause more allergies in the winter due to your furry friends spending more time indoors, particularly in the living room or bedroom.
Mold. Indoor mold thrives in damp areas such as under sinks, basements, and bathrooms. Humidifiers and leaky faucets or pipes can encourage mold growth.
Dust mites. These are commonly found on carpets, bedding, and upholstered furniture in your home. Their poop can become embedded in your household dust. Use of indoor heating and failure to wash bedding regularly can increase exposure to these allergens.
Cockroach droppings. They are commonly found in dark, moist spaces like under sinks, behind appliances, or inside kitchen cupboards.
How to Combat Winter Allergens
Here are some useful preventive measures you can take to guard against common winter allergens:
Use a humidifier to combat winter air dryness, but make sure the indoor humidity doesn't exceed 50%.
Put hypoallergenic cases over your pillows and mattresses to keep out dust mites.
Wash your bedding, removable upholstery covers, and clothes in hot water regularly to reduce the buildup of dust mites and pet dander.
Seal crevices and cracks, fix leaky pipes and faucets, and clean up any crumbs or leftovers.
Vacuum your home regularly using a vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter.
While removing the common winter allergens entirely may not be possible, you can significantly reduce your exposure to them using the steps above. Contact us at Air Assurance for the best heating, cooling, air-quality, and plumbing solutions in the Broken Arrow area.