Exposure to indoor allergens is a common trigger for so-called winter allergies. As people are currently spending more time inside, especially in poorly ventilated areas, they may face more exposure to these allergens, which then may bring about symptoms of winter allergies.
In temperate climates, plants may continue producing allergens during the winter months. People living in the Lowcountry may struggle with pollen or ragweed for much of the year.
Winter allergy symptoms are similar to those of other seasonal allergies, and certain symptoms may also resemble those of a cold. A few lifestyle changes and medical assistance can help people manage winter allergies.
Cold and winter allergy symptoms can feel very similar, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other.
Symptoms that last longer than a few weeks are usually the result of allergies. Symptoms that appear suddenly, after weeks or months in the same home, may be from a cold, especially if a person does not have a history of allergies.
There are some symptoms that can help distinguish allergies from a cold:
• Colds can cause a fever, but airborne allergens will not change a person’s body temperature.
• A cold may cause aches and pains, while allergies typically do not.
• Sore throat is common with colds, but it occurs less frequently with allergies.
• A person with a cold may feel chest pressure. By contrast, only people with asthma who have allergies typically report chest pain.
• Coughs are more common with colds, although they can also occur with allergies.
• Colds go away on their own. Allergies may only self-resolve when the weather changes, and a person spends more time outside.
• Colds typically do not cause itchy rashes or eyes, whereas allergies often do.
Some strategies that can reduce the severity of winter allergies and potentially prevent them include:
• improving ventilation in the home
• cleaning dusty areas to remove dust and dander
• frequently cleaning toys
• installing an indoor air filter
• cleaning up cockroach droppings and exploring options for controlling cockroaches
• using dust mite-proof encasings on your pillows, mattresses, and box springs
• keeping pets out of sleeping areas if a family live with a pet to whom one or more members are allergic
• removing carpeting from the home or using fewer carpets and rugs
• keeping humidity in the home to 45% or less
• removing any mold growing in the home
Winter allergies can be unpleasant since indoor substances that a person cannot easily escape usually trigger them. This does not mean a person has to resign themselves to trouble breathing during the winter.
A doctor specializing in allergies can help diagnose the problem and choose the most suitable treatment.
It is important to contact a healthcare professional if:
• a person’s allergies become so severe that they interfere with daily life
• a person’s symptoms of a cold persist after 1–2 weeks
• a newborn is wheezing, has trouble breathing, or has any allergy or cold symptoms
• a person does not know whether they have allergies or what they are allergic to
• allergy treatment does not work or stops working
Sources: Medically reviewed by Marc Meth, MD, FACAAI, FAAAI; Excerpted from article written by Zawn Villineson at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/winter-allergies
