{"id":1945,"date":"2024-11-15T13:08:26","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T18:08:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/?p=1945"},"modified":"2024-11-15T13:08:28","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T18:08:28","slug":"winter-allergens-are-indoor-allergies-making-you-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/winter-allergens-are-indoor-allergies-making-you-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Allergens: Are Indoor Allergies Making You Sick?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As temperatures drop, many look\u00a0forward to a cozy season of spending time indoors. But for the <a href=\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/allergies\/allergy-facts\/?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAxKy5BhBbEiwAYiW--9Bp897Z9D95I4937HgX8VZU6_-FA7waddvjvroamxXPDpaaWMHgahoCsUIQAvD_BwE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">100 million people who experience allergies in the U.S<\/a>., the winter season can bring an increase in allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1243\" height=\"1280\" src=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/winter-allergies.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1948\" srcset=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/winter-allergies.jpg 1243w, https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/winter-allergies-768x791.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1243px) 100vw, 1243px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike spring and fall, winter allergies are often triggered by indoor allergens that become more concentrated when we close up our homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some common winter allergen culprits, along with how to manage them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dust Mites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dust mites are one of the most common indoor allergens. These microscopic creatures thrive in warm, humid environments, often making bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture their home. In winter, we tend to keep our windows closed and our heating systems on, creating the perfect conditions for dust mites to multiply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To reduce exposure to dust mites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Use dust-mite-proof covers on mattresses and pillows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wash bedding in hot water weekly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mold<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mold is another common indoor allergen that can worsen during the winter months. Mold spores thrive in damp, poorly ventilated areas like bathrooms, basements and around windows where condensation builds up. In Newberry, where humidity levels can remain relatively high year-round, mold can be a significant issue even in winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To prevent mold growth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce moisture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fix any leaks in pipes or roofs promptly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clean and dry areas prone to dampness, such as shower curtains and window sills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dry Air<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While dry air isn\u2019t an allergen itself, it can <a href=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/allergy\/sinus-overview\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/allergy\/sinus-overview\/\">irritate the nasal passages and respiratory system<\/a>, worsening allergy symptoms. Forced-air heating systems often reduce indoor humidity, leading to dry skin, itchy eyes and throat irritation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To counteract the effects of dry air:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Use a humidifier to maintain indoor humidity levels between 30-50%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the HVAC system well-maintained and consider installing a high-efficiency filter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep your respiratory system moist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Experts from the American Lung Association recommend cleaning humidifiers regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria, which can further exacerbate allergy symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Winter allergies can be a frustrating part of the colder months in Newberry, but with a few preventative steps, you can make your home a more comfortable, allergy-free space. To learn more about how to best <a href=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/allergy\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/allergy\/\">manage your allergy symptoms<\/a>, contact <span class=\"company-name \">Carolina Pines ENT<\/span> today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><ul class=\"related-posts\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/how-to-combat-dry-eyes-from-allergies\/\" class=\"related-post\">How to Combat Dry Eyes From Allergies<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/tips-for-avoiding-allergies-during-halloween-activities\/\" class=\"related-post\">Tips for Avoiding Allergies During Halloween Activities<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/what-to-know-about-contact-dermatitis\/\" class=\"related-post\">What to Know About Contact Dermatitis<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As temperatures drop, many look\u00a0forward to a cozy season of spending time indoors. But for the 100 million people who experience allergies in the U.S., the winter season can bring an increase in allergy symptoms. Unlike spring and fall, winter allergies are often triggered by indoor allergens that become more concentrated when we close up&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1948,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","schema":"","fname":"","lname":"","position":"","credentials":"","placeID":"","no_match":false,"name":"","company":"","review":"","address":"","city":"","state":"","zip":"","lat":"","lng":"","phone1":"","phone2":"","fax":"","mon1":"","mon2":"","tue1":"","tue2":"","wed1":"","wed2":"","thu1":"","thu2":"","fri1":"","fri2":"","sat1":"","sat2":"","sun1":"","sun2":"","hours-note":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1945"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1950,"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1945\/revisions\/1950"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolinapinesent.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}