Allergies or Asthma?

Most people associate allergens with Spring — specifically pollen. The flowers are blooming, the grass is growing, and many people are suffering. The problem is that just because spring has come and gone, that doesn’t mean your allergies have too. For a good number of people, winter allergies can be just as annoying.

The upper respiratory irritation experienced by people who have asthma is often triggered by the same things that give others a simple case of hay fever. That’s because about half of the estimated 17 to 18 million asthma cases in the U.S. are closely related to allergies — the same ones that give us itchy eyes and runny noses.

Since the plants are dormant during winter, many people don’t worry about allergies. It’s true that you don’t have to worry about most outdoor allergens, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. As you spend more time indoors, avoiding the cold, you’re also exposing yourself to more indoor allergies.

The most common indoor allergy is dust. While people aren’t actually allergic to the dust, many are allergic to the mold spores and other living organisms inside dust particles. If you or a family is allergic to dust mites, consider using a vacuum cleaner with a hepa filter. You may also try products that help keep you from dusting as often.

Even if you dust compulsively, you may still have allergy issues. Many times, this is due to allergens that have worked their way into pillows and other bedding. Use hypoallergenic bedding covers as well as wash your sheets and blankets regularly.

Roaches are bad news too. In a federal study, asthmatic children exposed to cockroaches had four times the risk of hospitalization for an asthma attack compared with children who were not allergic. Another common winter allergy is pet dander. While it may be great to have your best friend sharing your bed, this is the worst thing you can do for your allergies. It’s best to limit your exposure to dander, especially at night, by making your bedroom off limits to pets.

If you find yourself getting a lot of colds and other illnesses, the culprit may actually be allergies. Allergies cause many people to produce excess mucus, which creates a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. They stick around, making you get sick over and over again. The good news is that by treating your allergies, you will find yourself getting sick less often.

If you do have allergies, asthma may also be a concern with you. Many asthma sufferers will start to feel better during the summer and fall, but symptoms can resurface due to wintertime allergies. Asthma can also be triggered by the flu and colds that come with allergy symptoms. While you can buy all kinds of over-the-counter allergy medications and remedies, your doctor has to do the allergy testing to make sure your issue is allergies and not some other problem. They can also determine what exactly you’re allergic to so your allergies can be avoided and properly treated.