Most people tend to stay indoors during winter and lock up their homes to keep warm. This increases the humidity levels in your house. This warm and humid condition promotes the growth of moulds and that is what causes the winter allergy. Besides this there is also an increased amount of fine pollen grains from flowers and trees that blows with the wind. When we breathe this, our bodies react to it and it causes sneezing. Dust mites are also a common cause of winter allergy. They grow in large numbers on your pillows, mattress, carpets, coats, sweaters, curtains, soft toys, etc. Winter air is very dry and that causes more dust to blow in the air. When your body over reacts to it you start sneezing and get a cold and a blocked nose.
You can try the following to prevent and cure dust allergy during winter:
- The easiest way to cure an allergy is to stay away from the allergen so keep your home dust free. Clean your carpets, mattress, curtains, etc with a good vacuum cleaner at least once or twice a week.
- Wash your sweaters, coats, bed sheets and upholstery regularly to keep it dust free.
- Avoid smoking in the house, as this would also cause the sneezing and blocked nose. If you or someone in your house really needs to smoke then keep a separate room with good ventilation system or exhaust for smoking. This will stop the smoke from spreading in the entire house.
- Keep your pets out if possible and wash them at least once a week. Brush them daily if they go out. This will get rid of the dust on their fur.
- If you use a fireplace then make sure the firewood is stored outside to prevent the dust and mould. Mould grows on firewood and you really would not want that inside your house.
- Get your heating ducts and filters professionally cleaned to prevent the dust in your house.
- Keeping a humidifier in your house would also help to prevent the sneezing and nose blocks.
- If you are allergic to certain foods try and avoid them. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables that boost your immunity. Use liberal amounts of onion, ginger and garlic in your cooking, as these are excellent in treating cold, relieving congestion and also help to boost your immune system. Thus it helps to build a better resistance to the allergy.
Winter is also the Christmas when most people have Christmas tree, fragrant candles, potpourri and other decorations in their house. These might harbor dust mites, mould and other allergens. So make sure they are free from all these before getting them in your house.
answered by G M