Can You Have Winter Allergies?

While you may be quick to blame winter sniffling and sneezing on cold and flu season, there could be another explanation for those unpleasant respiratory symptoms: winter allergies. This time of year presents a variety of factors that can trigger your immune system, causing allergies that persist for weeks or months.

If winter allergy symptoms are interfering with your daily life, Asif Aziz, MD, and Shobha Pandey, FNP-C, APRN, at Prestige Primary Care, P.A., can help. We offer comprehensive allergy testing to identify your triggers and develop a personalized care plan to manage your symptoms.

Hidden winter allergy triggers

Here in Dallas, our mild climate means that pollen season doesn’t always take a break. And as the cooler, rainier weather has many of us in the house with the furnace on, you may be exposed to more indoor allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold.

Everyone’s allergy triggers are unique. What triggers one person’s itchy eyes, sneezing, and runny nose may be harmless to another. Let’s take a look at some common triggers that could be behind your winter allergies and learn how to reduce your exposure.

Dust and dust mites

No matter how diligently you clean your home, dust can still lurk in places like bedding, furniture, curtains, and carpets. Dust consists of microscopic debris such as skin cells, food particles, dirt, and even insect remnants. 

Dust mites are equally tiny creatures that feed on these substances, excreting enzymes that can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. To reduce your exposure to dust and dust mites, consider the following tips:

• Wash your bedding weekly in hot water
• Use hypoallergenic pillow and mattress covers
• Choose a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which traps allergens
• Clean and/or change the filters in your HVAC system regularly

Mold spores

Damp indoor conditions can create the perfect breeding ground for mold. Basements, bathrooms, and other damp areas can harbor mold spores that may cause allergies and other health issues.

Keep an eye out for leaks, mold, and mildew around your home. If necessary, use a dehumidifier to control humidity levels. However, it’s important to maintain a balanced indoor environment. Overly dry air can irritate your skin and nasal passages, potentially worsening allergy symptoms.

Pet dander

For pet owners, winter often means closer contact with our fluffy friends and their dander. Through petting, grooming, shedding, scratching, and simply moving around, this dander becomes airborne and releases proteins that cause allergies in 15-30% of Americans.

If your pet allergies worsen in winter, you can reduce your exposure to dander by:

• Bathing your pet and washing their bedding frequently
• Restricting your pets to designated areas of the home
• Minimizing soft surfaces that collect pet hair and dander, such as throw pillows, curtains, and rugs
• Using air purifiers with a HEPA filter, remembering to change the filter regularly

Cedar fever

Unlike most trees that pollinate in the spring and fall, Ashe juniper trees — also known as mountain cedars, native to the southwest United States and Mexico — typically release their pollen between December and February. If you have a mountain cedar allergy, or cedar fever, you may experience sudden allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy, watery eyes when you spend time outdoors during winter.

Managing winter allergies effectively

A consultation with our expert primary care team can help you develop an effective plan to manage your allergies at any time of the year. Allergy testing, including skin prick tests and blood tests, can identify your specific triggers, allowing us to recommend the most appropriate treatment options for your needs. Your care plan may include:

• Antihistamines or decongestants
• Nasal or oral corticosteroids
• Immunotherapy
• Lifestyle changes to avoid known allergens

By understanding your allergy triggers and implementing our team’s suggestions, you can enjoy a more comfortable winter season. To learn more about our allergy treatment options, contact us today and schedule a consultation with Prestige Primary Care, P.A., in Dallas, Texas.