Now we are in winter season, and in this season there is always increase in pollution. The North Indian starts experiencing winter cold and fog from end of October. This also coincides with stubble burning of crops in some Northern states. Coupled with various other factors, this triggers high air pollution that can become highly trouble some. Apart from rise in air pollution, winter also brings some seasonal allergies which trouble people. Since the pandemic is still on, chances of getting confused with flu symptom with that of Corona virus. Here are few trips and tricks to keep the winter allergies at bay.
Prefer to stay indoors :
The best way to stay safe from Corona or air pollution is to stay indoors and go out only if necessary If you or going out for shopping , then you must get used to online shopping or from neighbouring shops’ home delivery options. In case you need to go out, make sure that you wear a mask and take proper precautions. Eyes too may need covering as the air pollution can cause itching of eyes, for this you can wear protective glasses.
Allergy Symptoms :
While staying indoors may protect you from air pollution and virus, it will still expose you to some allergens. Many of these allergens are responsible for winter allergies. The allergy symptoms are easily confused with that of flu since some of them are common. Also, some might feel symptoms like Covid 19 as well. Here are some of common winter allergy symptoms —
Itchy throat, Running nose, Itch or watery eyes, Ear itching, Sneezing, Breathing issues, wheezing, Clogged nose, Dry Cough, Skin rashes, and Fever.
In winter, these are the body’s responses to the various allergens we get exposed to indoors. First, the body releases histamine that causes inflammation leading to various symptoms. Hence most allergies are treated with anti- histamine drugs.
Most of you are aware of some winter allergies, if you are susceptible to them. You can also have some prescription medications for the same. However, if the symptoms persist for more than few days, please consult a doctor to decide on the treatment.
Do not self medicate, and presume on whether it is an allergy, flu or the Covid 19. When in doubt, seeking professional medical help is the best way for the treatment. Typically, allergies do not cause fever or body aches, and those may be symptom of flue. The flu usually resolves within week, however, allergies can last longer unless you remove allergens and seek treatment for the symptoms.
Triggers and solutions:
Dust and pollution are only two of the triggers that lead to allergies. The other common triggers are mould, pet hair, winter pollen, and dust particles. Mould is due to the cold and damp, surroundings within the house. Therefore, it is good to do a pre-winter check of all plumbing and see if any leaks need to be fixed. Also, check for any crevices or cracks across the house where dampness can come in.
Wet surfaces anywhere across the house should be monitored for mold. Fixing these issues can go a long way in keeping the mold away. If you feel the need to remove moisture from the air, you could use dehumidifier to keep in check. Using exhaust fans also help in removing the moisture from the air inside and circulating some fresh air. They also remove some of the dust, though not as much as air purifiers do.
Using an air purifier can help with pollution, as well as allergen problem. Many air purifiers remove allergens from the air. Good ventilation is essential, though, if it brings in more polluted air, you would rather keep the window shut. Using ceiling fans for a while is said to keep the air circulation fresh in such circumstances.
Regular dusting or vacuuming of surfaces can keep the dust allergy away. If you have carpets and rugs, these would need regular cleaning as well. To keep the dust particles out, use protective covering for beds, pillows, and mattresses. These can be changed and washed periodically to ensure dust particles are kept away.
If you have pets, they should be kept clean and preferably not allowed into the kitchen and bedrooms. Their spaces should also be kept clean, and surroundings clean of pet hair. Check kitchen thoroughly for cockroach infestation as their droppings too can lead to allergies. To keep cockroaches away, the kitchen should be kept clean, and leftovers dealt with accordingly.
So these are some tips to keep winter allergies away.
Waiting, for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
13th December 2021
Tejinder Singh Sethi
Yes, you can suffer symptoms of seasonal allergies in winter, too. Most people don’t associate winter with allergies, but allergies persist into and through the cold months. Though it’s important to know that winter allergies do pose slightly different problems than they do during other seasons.