You made it through ragweed season, and now the morning frost is on the ground (maybe even some snow) and you might be thinking, no more allergies, right? Unfortunately, for many of us there are winter allergies to confront. And the first step in so doing, might just be recognizing the difference between allergy symptoms and winter’s other uninvited guests, the common cold and the flu. Before we can beat the symptoms of winter allergies, we need to understand them.
The symptoms of winter allergies may seem similar to a cold or even the flu, the runny nose, the sneezing, congestion, and the fatigue. However, there are some key differences that distinquish allergies from colds and the flu:
If your runny nose is clear, it’s probably allergies
If you have a fever, it is not allergies
Itchy, watery eyes, probably allergies
Here is a great chart from the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases that compares all of the symptoms of allergies and colds.
So, now that winter has brought us inside, why are we still congested, sneezing, and blowing our noses? Well. there are a whole houseful of reasons: dust mites, mold and pet dander plus the sugar punch delivered on Halloween. And right around the corner is the Big Holiday Season filled with fun and festivity…along with large quantities of rich food and beverage, cozy fires, travel, decorations from the attic and, let’s face it, a fair amount of stress. Well let’s reduce some of the stress and learn how to beat the symptoms of winter allergies!
First Step in Beating the Symptoms of Winter Allergies: Search and Destroy.
Target the areas in your house that harbor the nasty allergens:
Dust mites are microscopic and love to take residence in mattresses and bedding so wash them often in hot water. When unpacking stored blankets and quilts, air them well outside then wash or dry clean to avoid releasing mites and mold spores in the house. You may even want to consider purchasing bedding designed to be less permeable to allergens.
Keep your pets clean – shampoo and groom often and let them stay outside as much as possible (or choose a non-shedding pet, like a poodle or a lizard).
Vacuum often using a HEPA filter.
De-mold the house, especially bathrooms and sinks where there’s a lot of humidity. Wash with a 5% bleach solution and a little detergent.
Clean holiday ornaments and decorations when you unpack them, removing dust and other allergens that may have accumulated.
Though a Christmas tree itself may not be a problem, the mold that comes with it may be. If so, consider an artificial tree or limit the time you keep the tree inside.
The same may be true of a cozy fire – you may not be allergic to smoke, but damp wood holds allergens. If you really want a fire, keep the fireplace clean and store wood in a dry place outside.
If the air in your house is very dry, invest in a humidifier – dry air can irritate the nose and throat.
Nest Step in Beating the Symptoms of Winter Allergies: Prepare Your Body
Often it’s hard to make wise decisions when there’s so much going on and time is limited (do I shop? cook? decorate?) but you’ll be more effective (and fun) if you feel better so develop a plan to keep yourself healthy.
Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water and green tea.
Avoid or limit foods that promote inflammation (things like processed foods, sugar, grain-fed meats, dairy and alcohol).
Eat lots of foods that fight inflammation, including leafy greens, high fiber foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, like kale and sweet potatoes for example. You may not see so much of these at holiday parties so make sure you create a food plan that’s easy and healthy to maintain at home.
Make sure to include foods that are natural antihistamines, especially those high in Vitamin C, Flavonoids and Omega-3 Fatty Acids (lots of fresh citrus, vegetables, apples, ginger, flax and walnuts, just to name a few.
Keep natural allergy remedy handy just in case – AllergEase!
There’s plenty of time to get your home and body ready for winter allergy season and the holidays so take a deep breath, make a list, check it twice and have fun.
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