What’s causing your winter allergies?

For many people, it’s normal to start sniffling as spring flowers bloom—or as ragweed starts to circulate when summer turns to fall. But, when it’s cold enough to sip hot cocoa by a fire, it should mean allergens are gone…right? Unfortunately, winter allergies don’t take the holiday off. 

Can you have allergies in winter?

If you have seasonal allergies, you might get a reprieve when most plants go into hibernation, and activities move indoors. “You don’t have pollens in winter,” says Douglas H. Jones, MD, founder of the Rocky Mountain Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Group in Layton, Utah. 

But that might not be the case for everyone. Unfortunately, there’s something called perennial allergic rhinitis—meaning you experience allergies year-round—even in the winter months.  

What causes winter allergies?

Instead of being triggered by outdoor pollen, winter symptoms are caused by indoor allergens. When you close the windows and your heaters kick on, these irritants start circulating through indoor air, where they are easy for you to breathe in. Some common ones include:

• Dust mites: These microscopic creatures are found in bedding, carpets, heating and air units, and furniture. Their droppings can mix with household dust and become airborne.
• Mold: Mold thrives in dark, damp areas, such as basements or under-the-sink cabinets.
• Pet dander: People with pet allergies can be sensitive to saliva, fur, or the flecks of skin that cats and dogs shed on almost any surface they touch in your home.
• Cockroach droppings: Roaches may seek out warmer places as the weather cools. This allergen is most common in dark damp places.
• Christmas tree allergies: If you bring a fresh pine inside during the holidays, it can bring mold spores, pollen, and strong odors with it.

When you breathe in these indoor allergens, they can trigger allergy symptoms the same way it would if you took a big whiff of pollen.

Winter allergy symptoms

Winter allergy symptoms are the same as spring and fall allergy symptoms, and can include: 

• Stuffy nose or runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Itchy skin or rash
• Swollen eyelids
• Sore throat
• Congested sinuses
• Coughing

In more severe cases, symptoms can include:

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Difficulty breathing

These symptoms are similar to those of common cold weather illnesses—such as the cold, flu, and COVID-19—so it’s important to know which is causing your problems. Also, these severe symptoms can also be asthma, so it is important to see your provider if you are experiencing them.

You just coughed. Or sneezed. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, that is enough to get a side-eye when you’re in public, and have you wondering, “Is it just allergies? Or is a virus causing these symptoms?” There are similarities in symptoms between winter allergies, the common cold, the flu, and COVID-19. According to a recent SingleCare survey, 1 in 10 respondents mistook COVID-19 and allergy symptoms; however, their causes and duration vary. Learn the differences below, and when in doubt, talk to your healthcare provider!

RELATED: Coronavirus vs. allergy symptoms

How to get rid of winter allergies

Once you’ve been diagnosed with winter allergies, there are several different ways to treat and prevent allergy symptoms. Though most will not cure the allergy, they can significantly reduce your reaction. Your healthcare provider can help you to decide which combination of strategies and medications could work for you. 

1. Lifestyle changes

One of the most effective ways to reduce allergic reactions is to reduce your exposure to winter allergy triggers. For example, if you have a food allergy you would avoid consuming that item. For pollen allergies, it’s a little easier. Stay inside as much as possible when your particular allergy is in bloom. For indoor allergies, it’s a bit more complex. The steps can include regular cleaning and purification of the air, along with reducing the places where allergens can thrive. These steps can help reduce the winter allergens circulating in your home:

• Use an air cleaner with a HEPA filter to trap allergens.
• Replace HVAC air filters around the house.
• Clean your house regularly with natural, unscented cleaners to reduce dust and bug droppings.
• For house cleaning, use wet clothes, wet mop, or a vacuum instead of sweeping or duster brushes.
• Wash bedding, including mattress pad/covers, pillows, and dust skirts, regularly in hot water, and dry on high heat.
• Encase mattresses and pillows with hypoallergenic allergy covers.
• Regularly clean furniture by wet dusting or vacuuming.
• Clean window blinds with warm water or wash curtains in hot water regularly.
• Sanitize damp areas with bleach to eliminate mold.
• Run a dehumidifier to dry the air, and reduce damp environments where allergens can flourish.
• Give pets regular baths to reduce danger, and keep them off of your furniture. 
• If you are particularly pet allergic, keep them out of bedrooms.
• Avoid stuffed animals or excessive pillows on beds. If you want to de-mite them, you can put them in the freezer for 24 hours or wash them in hot water and tumble dry them.
• Minimize the use of scented products: candles, cleaners, detergents, air freshners, etc.

It may be hard not to sleep next to your furry friend, but your body will thank you.

2. Over-the-counter products

For more mild allergies, the treatment you need is likely available in the aisles of your local pharmacy. These medications often contain antihistamines to stop the allergic reaction causing your symptoms. Or, they can help to treat a symptom of the allergy. For example, a decongestant might help alleviate congestion. Several types of over-the-counter medications can help with allergy symptoms.

• Antihistamines: Medications like Zyrtec and Claritin block the histamine reaction that causes allergy symptoms. For the best relief, use a 24-hour product instead of a short acting antihistamine.
• Nasal sprays: Nasal steroid sprays, such as Flonase, go directly into your nasal passages where they are quickly absorbed to fight symptoms quickly. Nasal decongestants, such as Afrin, can help stop a stuffy nose in its tracks, but should not be used for more than three straight days.
• Nasal rinses: Allergens can get trapped in your nose, prolonging your reaction. Saline solutions squirted into nostrils with a Neti pot can help to rinse allergens out.
• Decongestants: Products such as Sudafed can help to alleviate nasal congestion temporarily from allergies. These are often taken in conjunction with an antihistamine to cut down on irritation.
• Eye drops: Antihistamine eye drops, such as Pataday, target watery, itchy eyes. They work quickly to help with redness, and stop you from rubbing your lids all day long.

Sometimes these treatments come packaged together in a single pill. For example, Claritin-D contains an antihistamine and a decongestant. If you’re planning to take a combination medication, be careful to check the ingredients to avoid doubling up on doses. It is particularly important to check ingredients before using a multi-symptoms treatment (i.e. alka seltzer sinus, Tylenol sinus, etc). Talk to your provider or pharmacist about which medications are safe to take together. 

RELATED: Can I take antihistamines every day?

3. Prescription treatment

When over-the-counter remedies fail, there are prescription options for more severe symptoms. If wheezing becomes an issue, your healthcare provider may prescribe a steroid inhaler (like Qvar) or oral steroids (such as prednisone). If you develop a rash, the treatment could be a topical cream. There are prescription versions of antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and eye drops that your physician may try if OTC treatment options don’t work for you. 

If your allergies are intolerable even with these treatments, you can undergo allergy testing with an allergist or immunologist. Depending on the allergen that is identified, your provider may recommend allergy shots. These are a form of immunotherapy that gradually builds up your tolerance to an allergen. Not everyone is a good candidate for allergy shots. Though they can be effective for people who experience allergies year-round and don’t get relief from other remedies. The shots are sometimes covered by insurance, but may require a copay for each visit. A standard regimen can involve 1 to 4 shots, depending on your allergens. There’s a new form called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), such as Odactra, that can be a good alternative if you’re afraid of needles.

RELATED: Do allergy shots work?

*These medications are prescribed for asthma associated with allergies, and should be prescribed by a provider who is familiar with assessing and treating this condition.