Food allergies don’t have a season. However, we’re accustomed to thinking that most environmental allergies take a break for the winter.

Unfortunately, that’s not true.

Winter weather drives most of us to spend more time indoors. This means that allergies to dust mites and pet dander can actually cause us more problems.

There are a number of standard tips to handle indoor allergies that everyone with dust, dust mite or pet dander allergies should take note of:

1. Wash that bedding! A weekly wash in the hottest water tolerated by the item will keep allergens under control.
2. Use allergen covers for items on the bed that you don’t wash, including pillow, mattresses and box springs.
3. Keep pets out of bedrooms! Even if you aren’t directly allergic to pets, their dander can cause additional irritation to inflamed nasal or airway tissues.
4. Vacuum regularly. Your best bet is a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. Be sure that you have a machine with an actual HEPA filter and not a “Hepa-like” filter.
5. If you have serious allergies, consider a mask when dusting or vacuuming, to reduce your exposure to allergens.

Some people will need to use other forms of treatment. Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-histamines will often be enough to control symptoms if you are using these non-drug strategies.

Source: Star Tribune