Winter is on it’s way, and allergies don’t stop there. Here are some room by room tips to help you cope with winter allergies!

Bedrooms (number one important allergen is the house dust mite)
1. Encase your pillows and bedding (mattress and box spring) with tight allergen–impermeable slip covers that “seal in” indoor house dust mites if you have allergic sensitivities to this powerful indoor allergen
2. Dust mite levels in mattresses are more closely linked with asthma attacks
3. Wash bedding in very hot water every 7–14 days
4. Remember to reduce dust collectors, particularly in the bedroom, such as drapes, horizontal blinds (tend to trap dust easily and more problematic to clean them), non-washable items (stuffed toys)
5. Washable window shades are preferred
6. Unpacking of winter clothing may have accumulated dust and mildew from open storage in basement or attic areas
7. Try and keep pets out of the bedroom if you have pet allergies

Bathrooms
Look for problem areas with excess mildew and molds, leaking faucets, damp carpets and/or rugs

Kitchen
1. Exposure to household cleaning agents, aerosols, cleaners, cockroach traps
2. Limit candle usage
3. Check refrigerator drip pans for excess mildew and moisture
4. “Always open the window or run an exhaust fan, when you’re cleaning in an enclosed space, you must always have good ventilation,” says Pramod S. Kelkar, MD, chair of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s Cough Taskforce.

Living Areas
1. Smoke from fireplace, chemicals from carpeting and furnishings, pet hair and dander
2. Avoid scented candles and potpourri
3. Use a HEPA air cleaner (either room model or central HVAC) to remove unwanted airborne pet allergens (cat, dog hair)
4. Even if you’re not the one out of ten allergy sufferers allergic to pets, your household pets are still quite capable of bringing outdoor hidden allergens indoors on their skin and fur
5. Cover air vents with allergen filters
6. Keep humidity in check – don’t over do it with trying to over humidify your home. Get a hygrometer and measure humidity inside, try and keep it less than 40-45% to avoid a buildup of mold spores and dust mites (they love excess humidity). 
7. Avoid excessive amounts of house plants if you have sensitivities to mold spores
8. Hardwood floors and tile are better than wall to wall carpets and heavy rug
9. Vacuum frequently with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter in the vacuum cleaner which will able to catch many allergy-irritating particles (hopefully this can be done by non allergic individual)
10. Keep out of rooms recently vacuumed or dusted for about 30 minutes to let the “dust settle”
 
Remodeling, renovations and decorating your home
1. Try to choose products made with real wood and low-VOC sealants 
2. If you must use carpeting in your home, go for ones that are free of formaldehyde and use allergy-friendly paints 
3. Open the windows to properly ventilate the home
 
Garage
Exposure to chemicals, paints, mildew, fumes and gardening products
 
Additional tips
1. Control your stress during the frantic holiday period
2. Learn coping and stress management strategies (yoga, meditation) if you are one of over 17 million with asthma.  Holiday stress can tighten respiratory passages and aggravate asthma. 
3. Lastly, don’t forget if you have allergies and/or asthma have your emergency medications on hand at all times

Get some more expert advice from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/1107/  and http://www.aaaai.org/winterallergy/2006/ as well as from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at: http://www.acaai.org/public/indoor/indoor.htm

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine. He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

Generally, cooler months dictate we will spend a greater amount of each day indoors.  This fact translates into more exposure to indoor allergens, very relevant if you have indoor allergies and asthma.  Very good questions include: “shall I use an air filter, humidifier or do I try and avoid dusting or using a vacuum”, if I suspect I may have indoor allergies?

Each fall a change-over from the warmer and humid summer into the cooler and drier air found during the fall occurs each year.  Make it an opportunity to look at the ventilation in your home (i.e. forced air heating, central air-conditioning, air filtration, closed windows, etc).   Have you noticed more nasal congestion upon arising in the morning, sneezing, cough or red, irritated eyes?  If so, you may something in common with the 40 million Americans who suffer with indoor allergies.  Indoor allergies can also trigger asthma and be associated with sinus complaints as well.

What are the “most wanted culprits” that are responsible for indoor allergies? Here they come! First, the ubiquitous, indoor house dust mite, a microscopic spider mite that loves to inhabit your mattress and pillows (in fact there are about 2 million mites in bedding). They are probably the most likely indoor allergy allergen that causes allergy symptoms.

Second, molds also may float in the air, like pollens and are present throughout the year. They may be more likely to be present in indoor spaces such as attics, below ground basements and playrooms, bathrooms, from refrigerator drip pans and leaky faucets.  In many cases a mildew odor may be a tip off that you have a “mold problem”. 

Third, pets are found in over 100 million households in the US (a 50/50 spread between cats and dogs, again just an estimate). About 10-15 of individuals with allergies have “pet” allergies.  Does the color of cat hair or the gender of your pet dictate whether you may suffer more?  Stay tuned for an upcoming blog on pet allergies. 

Another additional indoor allergy is duck or goose feather found in bedding and pillows.  Remember, get tested as you may not be allergic or bothered at all by feather pillows, so find out for sure! Lastly, cockroach allergy can trigger indoor suffering as well as asthma, especially in apartment complexes in urban areas.  They are most likely to inhabit kitchens. 

For some terrific strategies to get your home ready if you or a family member has indoor allergies check out the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at http://aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/1005/ or the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at http://www.acaai.org/public/facts/indoor.htm to learn more about how to reduce exposure and allergic triggers.   

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.  He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

1.      At home or when driving, keep windows closed and set air conditioner on re-circulate to keep out seasonal pollens and mold spores, if you suffer with seasonal allergies

2.      Change or wash air conditioner filters frequently

3.      If you have allergies to pets (i.e. cat) use a central air filtration system in your home and/or portable room HEPA air filter

4.      Use an exhaust fan in your bathroom to reduce mold spore growth and excess humidity

5.      Dehumidifier may be useful in below ground rooms or basements if mildew is an issue

6.      Place disposable filter covers over forced air vents in your home that may provide additional filtration

7.      Avoid open windows in your home during high pollen days (check out the local pollen count at www.aaaai.org/nab)

8.      HEPA vacuums and or pre-filter bags prevent dust from re-entering the room after vacuuming

9.      If you are very sensitive to dust, leave the room for at least 30 minutes after sweeping/cleaning to allow dust particles to settle

10.  Remove unnecessary dust collectors in the bedroom if you have indoor allergies – placing a “stuffed toy or pillow” in a zippered plastic bag in the freezer periodically will help to reduce the amount of dust mites

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.  He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  No information in this blog is intended to diagnose or treat any condition.