It’s that time of the year again when everyone looks forward to cozy thermals, warm beverages, and days ending in front of the fireplace. But for some, wintertime also means flu, runny nose, or daily sneezing bouts. These are common symptoms of winter allergies often triggered by indoor allergens.
Winter allergies have some common and similar symptoms to seasonal allergies. However, the triggers, or allergens as they are called, have additional symptoms that may include itchy or watery eyes, itchy or sore throat, and even fever with body aches. It’s important to distinguish between a common winter cold and significant allergies to get the proper treatment. Hence, before you visit a walk-in urgent care clinic in New Jersey, arm yourself with the fundamentals of winter allergies.
What are Winter Allergies?
By definition, winter allergies are similar to other seasonal and food allergies to a great extent. However, the difference lies in the fact that winter allergies are not triggered by the season or pollen itself, rather the lifestyle and belongings people own. Winter allergies are mostly caused by the allergens found indoors, thus, are mostly reported by individuals who spend their days cooped up inside their homes.
What Causes Winter Allergies?
Indoor allergens manifest and breed in poorly ventilated, humid, and warm spaces. The most common causes of winter allergies are:
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
- Ped dander
- Insect’s droppings
Winters are considered the prime breeding season for dust mites and pet dander as they thrive in warm surfaces made of fabric such as bedding, furniture, carpets, curtains, etc. Moist and humid areas like the bathrooms and basements can also promote the growth of mold and insects.
If you or a family member is allergic to these allergens, the symptoms may show themselves like:
- Sneezing
- Dry coughing or sometimes with phlegm
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Itchy ears eyes or throat
- Skin Rash
- Difficulty in breathing
In severe cases, however, the symptoms may worsen quickly resulting in fever, chest tightening, or problems in breathing and swallowing.
Therefore, it’s important to maintain optimal hygiene to curb the growth of these allergens for the health and safety of yourself and your family. Some preventive measures that can help are outlined below:
- Maintain proper hygiene and cleanliness by washing the bedding and keeping furniture and carpets dry. Additionally, vacuuming the house once a week is paramount, especially if the ventilation is not adequate.
- If you have pets that spend a lot of time indoors or in the bedroom, ensure that they are free of insects and demanders when they enter the property after a walk.
- Avoid excessive use of humidifiers, and ventilate your rooms by opening the windows routinely. Leaky faucets and damaged plumbing systems can also instigate the growth of mold. Therefore, any due repairs should be performed immediately before the weather gets colder.
- If you or any of your family members have experienced an allergic reaction, seek medical attention after a comprehensive allergy testing with NJ Doctors Urgent Care at the earliest.
Allergy testing can help identify specific allergy triggers and help your doctors to formulate a treatment plan accordingly. So, call NJ Doctors Urgent Care offices immediately for a same-day appointment at our state-of-the-art facility and get the highest-quality medical assistance.