When the temperature drops, we head indoors and shut the windows.
Then the sneezing begins.
You can be allergic to things inside your house just as you can react to outdoor allergens. Mold spores, dust mites and pet dander spread through the air indoors to cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma symptoms.
“Allergy symptoms can feel similar to symptoms of a cold virus, which can cause some confusion about what’s going on and how to treat it,” said James Moss, MD, an allergy and immunology specialist with Endeavor Health.
Allergies, both indoor and outdoor, can cause symptoms including:
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Itchy eyes, nose and throat
- Puffy eyes
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Fatigue
Symptoms of eye itching, redness, tearing and nose running, sneezing, and itching are traditionally caused by tree, grass and weed pollen allergies in spring, summer and fall. While you can also experience those symptoms from winter indoor allergies, such as dust mites, mold spores and pet dander, the indoor perennial allergies also often cause nasal or sinus congestion, post-nasal drainage, throat clearing, chronic cough and worsening asthma.
Some of the primary sources of indoor allergens are:
- Bedding you can’t wash in hot water
- Stuffed animals
- Carpeting
- Damp areas
- Pets
When you encounter something you’re allergic to, your immune system overreacts to the allergen and produces antibodies against it that cause the symptoms.
“If you’ve got allergens floating around your house, you might react with a stuffy, runny nose, sneezing and an itchy throat or eyes,” Dr. Moss said. “While HEPA filter air purifiers can help reduce the allergens indoors, addressing allergens where they linger might work best.”
Try these tips to reduce allergens in your home:
- Run a dehumidifier in damp areas. Mold tends to grow in damp areas like basements and bathrooms, while dust mites thrive in humid conditions like bedding and upholstered furniture.
- Vacuum weekly. Vacuuming once or twice a week will help keep allergens out of carpeting. Even better: replace wall-to-wall carpet with hard floors or a low-pile rug.
- Declutter. Keeping areas open and clean will reduce the places allergens can accumulate.
- Wash bedding weekly. Washing bedding, pillows and stuffed toys in hot water, then drying them in a hot dryer will kill dust mites.
- Invest in pillow and mattress covers. Inexpensive dust mite covers for pillows, mattresses and springs can be beneficial.
- Keep pets out of your bedroom. All pets have dander. Some aggravate allergies more than others. Washing your pets’ toys and favorite furniture will help keep allergens at bay.
If you’ve tried to reduce indoor allergens and continue to experience symptoms, an allergist/immunologist can help you figure out what you’re allergic to and how to feel better.
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