Pollen may be spring’s greatest culprit of allergies, but did you know that winter allergies have its own set of allergen invaders? Cockroach particles, dust mites, and animal dander trigger the immune system of millions of Americans each winter. Your body will give you two sure signs that you’re dealing with winter allergies, not just the common cold. Let us explain:
Strong Signs That You’re Dealing with Winter Allergies
In our last blog, Is it a sore throat or winter allergies?, we discussed the subtle signs you should look for to determine if your sore throat is caused by a viral infection or winter allergies. Most viral infections such as the flu or common cold will produce a fever and muscle aches, along with allergy-like symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, congestion, and itchy or watery eyes. So, why does your body produce a fever and muscle aches when a viral infection is present, but not for winter allergies? Let us explain:
- A fever occurs when your body is trying to kill a virus, whereas your immune system tries to rid your body of the allergen.
- Muscle aches occur when the virus attacks your cells and causes inflammation in your muscles, whereas histamine is released when an allergen is present to flush it out of your body.
If you’re dealing with a fever or muscle aches, your symptoms are not associated with winter allergies. Two strong signs that you’re dealing with winter allergies, not a viral infection, include:
- Your symptoms last more than 10 days.
- Your overall quality of life is suffering (lack of sleep, trouble concentrating, etc).
4 Ways You Can Fight Winter Allergies
Do you dread winter due to the allergens that invade your home? Fortunately, you can fight back and create a healthier, allergy-free home by implementing helpful tips:
Wash Your Sheets Weekly – Using hot water, wash your sheets weekly to kill any dust mites that may have cozied up in your bed.
Use a Dehumidifier – Mold loves a damp environment! In your kitchen or bathroom, use a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in the air.
Replace Allergen-Inviting Items – Carpet, shower curtains, and wallpaper are prime hiding places for dust mites, cockroach particles, mold, and other allergens. Replace carpet with LVP flooring, shower curtains with shower glass, and wallpaper with paint, if possible.
Start Immunotherapy – Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, can teach your immune system not to overreact when it contacts an allergen. The three tips listed above are great ways to provide short-term relief. If you want long-term relief, talk to our team today about immunotherapy.
Stop Winter Allergies in Their Tracks
Decide today to take control of your health by eliminating your frustrating allergy symptoms. Our team can help you overcome conditions such as eye and nasal allergies, skin allergies, eczema, hay fever, immunologic deficiencies, and more. Call us today to schedule an appointment: 478-787-4728