Winter is a time when many people experience allergies. The cold air, dry indoor heating, and an increase in dust and mold can all contribute to allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion. But winter allergies don’t have to ruin your season. Here are some tips for managing your allergies so you can enjoy the winter months.

Identify your allergens

The first step in managing your allergies is to identify what triggers them. Common winter allergens include dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollen from trees that sometimes still bloom in the winter, such as cedar and juniper. Once you know what you’re allergic to, you can take steps to avoid or minimize exposure.

Keep indoor air clean

One way to minimize indoor allergens is to keep the air clean. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove dust and pet dander from carpets, rugs, and upholstery. Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth to trap allergens rather than just spreading them around. Consider using an air purifier with HEPA filters to remove airborne allergens.

Monitor humidity levels

Dry indoor heating can make your home more hospitable to allergens like dust mites and mold. Keeping the air in your home at a relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent can help prevent the growth of mold and make it harder for dust mites to thrive. You can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, but be sure to clean it regularly to prevent mold growth.

Choose the right bedding

Your bedding can also contribute to allergen buildup. Use pillow and mattress covers that are designed to keep allergens like dust mites out. Wash your bedding in hot water at least once a week to kill dust mites and wash away allergens.

Avoid outdoor allergens

While it’s tempting to spend time outdoors during the winter, especially on sunny days, doing so can expose you to pollen from trees and other allergens that are still active during the winter months. Check the pollen count before heading out and limit your time outside on high-pollen days. Keep your windows and doors closed to prevent pollen from entering your home.

Take medications as directed

If you’re still experiencing allergy symptoms despite your best efforts to manage them, talk to your doctor. Over-the-counter antihistamines can provide relief for many allergy sufferers, but they may cause drowsiness or interact with other medications you’re taking. Nasal sprays or eye drops can also be helpful for some people. If your allergies are particularly severe, your doctor may recommend allergy shots or other prescription medications.

Manage stress

Stress can make allergy symptoms worse. Taking steps to manage stress, such as practicing yoga or meditation or getting regular exercise, may help alleviate your allergy symptoms.

Winter allergies can be a challenge, but with careful management, they don’t have to ruin your winter season. By identifying your allergens, keeping indoor air clean, monitoring humidity levels, using the right bedding, avoiding outdoor allergens, taking medications as directed, and managing stress, you can manage your allergies and enjoy all the winter has to offer.

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