Having an allergy attack in the colder months seems like an impossibility to a lot of people. Most people are familiar with “seasonal” allergies that only happen when you breathe in pollen or some outdoor allergen. However, indoor allergies are just as common. Dust mites, mold spores and pet dander are three of the most common indoor allergens.
Dealing with indoor allergies can be challenging especially if you have pets and are not willing to keep them outdoors or give them to another non-allergic family. But taking a few precautions can really help with symptoms that you might experience during the months spent indoors.
Whether you are allergic to your pets’ dander, dust mites or mold, keeping your home free of all these things will really help your nasal passages clear and help you itch much less. Keep moist areas as dry as you can. Bathrooms, garbage pails, potted plants, and refrigerator drip trays all are examples of places that are havens for mold growth. Make sure you clean all hard surfaces and disinfect with a 5% bleach solution. Use a damp cloth to dust your houseplants, too.
Vacuuming on a regular basis with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter- usually at least once a week- will help reduce the allergens that can get trapped in your carpeting and upholstery. Don’t let your pets climb on upholstered things or your bed. In fact, keeping your pets out of your bedroom completely is a good idea if you can do it. Wash all of your bedding in very hot water once a week as well. Invest in some zippered dust-free covers for your mattress and pillow, too, to reduce the amount of dust that can collect.
Just these few small steps can really help keep your allergy symptoms at bay during the winter months. Hopefully your allergies will disperse over the winter and you can go back to breathing easy in the spring.
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