Many people associate allergies with the spring and summertime, when trees are in full bloom and allergens abound. However, the winter months also provide their fair share of sneeze-inducing issues.
"You don't have any pollens in winter," Dr. Douglas H. Jones told Everyday Health. "But you still have the indoor [allergens] — cats, dogs, cockroach droppings, dust mites, and mold."
Have you found yourself suffering from itching, sneezing, coughing and eye-watering? Here are some ways you can tackle those nasty January allergens and enjoy the rest of the winter:
- Bathe pets once a week: Do this to minimize the amount of pet dander that builds up in your home, especially since your pets probably aren't getting much outdoor time in the cold weather. Don't bathe them more than once a week, though, or you'll dry out their skin.
- Look for mold: Make sure no water is pooling up anywhere in your home, as this creates the opportunity for mold spores to grow.
- Use the exhaust fan: When showering or cooking, exhaust fans will help to remove humidity from your home. Keeping humidity low will, in turn, reduce dust mites.
- Vacuum carpets with a HEPA filter: Carpets are cozy in chilly weather, but they also tend to collect dust mites and pet dander. Use area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting, and clean everything frequently with a vacuum that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
- Wash sheets frequently: Wash your sheets and pajamas in water that is hotter than 130 degrees, so that you'll rid your bed of dust mites.
Contact Allergy Be Gone to purchase allergen mattress covers and an allergen air purifier today, so you won't have to suffer through winter allergies anymore.
