Winter Weather May Bring More than Jolly Ole Saint Nick

With the heart of winter approaching, many may feel that allergies have been left behind by the cool temperatures. Ragweed and Russian thistle (tumbleweed) have stopped pollinating after a three-month stretch that began in August. With the colder weather, will there be a three-month break until tree season starts in March? James A. Tarbox, M.D., an allergist and immunologist at Texas Tech Physicians says, not so fast. “There are two categories of allergies, seasonal and perennial,” Tarbox said. “Seasonal are what most people think about: trees in spring, grass in summer and weeds in fall. There’s another category, perennial, that sticks with us year-round, but is even more noticeable in the wintertime, since more time is spent indoors.” Tarbox said dust mites are one cause of perennial allergies. Dust mites live in your mattress, pillows and carpet. “They aren’t like bed bugs, they are much smaller (you can’t see them) and have eight legs,” Tarbox said. “The two things that dust mites crave are skin flakes and moisture. You can’t do much about shedding skin, but winter is when humidifier use is common. What we are allergic to are dead dust mites and the excrement from mites eating flakes.” Other triggers for perennial allergies are:

• Pets: Your favorite furry friend is a common cause of worsening allergens this time of year. Due to the colder weather, dogs and cats are inside more often shedding allergens. When they do go outside, they can bring in dirt or other irritants that will worsen your symptoms.
• Mold: While West Texas has lower humidity than many other parts of the country, mold is still prevalent. Snowstorms can leave pockets of snow on roofs which can then seep down into roofing or walls.
• Cockroaches: No one likes the site of these in their house. If you don’t have some form of pest control, they will find a way into your house, usually creeping around when most are asleep.

Tarbox said there are things you can do this winter to help alleviate these items. To help with dust mites, one of the first things you can do is make sure to wash your bed sheets and pillow cases in hot water, and dry on high heat at least every two weeks. “You can also buy dust mite covers for your mattress and pillows at a bedding store,” Tarbox said. “If you happen to use feather pillows, dust mites love down, whether it’s in your pillow or mattress. Consider purchasing synthetic pillows and mattresses to help with allergies. Also, if your mattress is reaching 20 years of age or you aren’t sleeping as well, maybe a new mattress belongs on your Christmas list.” Finally, Tarbox said to avoid using stand-alone humidifiers, even if cleaned well to protect from mold and bacteria. They raise the humidity in the room near them to greater than 50 percent, and dust mites thrive. If needed, central humidifiers are a better choice. If you are in the market for hypoallergenic pets, Tarbox said there are only two, very expensive hypoallergenic cat breeds sold in the country, and these pets are rare. Several breeds of dog are labeled hypoallergenic because they shed less; however, there still tend to be the same amount of allergens on the ground. “Washing your dog once a month can help reduce the amount of allergens in your house,” Tarbox said. “With cats, it’s more complicated as bathing cats, as much fun as that sounds, doesn’t really help. If there is a way to keep them in one area of the house, preferably not a bedroom or living room, this might help. There is nothing pleasant about having to find a new home for a pet. In fact, it’s very sad. If you are extremely sensitive to your pets, it may be necessary as a last resort.” This winter to help alleviate allergies, Tarbox said to make sure your air and furnace filters are changed regularly. If you haven’t already changed your filters this winter, now is the time. “I tell most of my patients to try and change their filters at least 4 times a year,” Tarbox said. “Some go as far as to change them monthly.” As for mold, make sure to check for leaks on the walls and roof, and check to see if you have proper insulation to reduce condensation and dampness. For cockroaches, try to have an exterminator visit several times a year to reduce the chance of infestation in your home. “If you are wondering what you might be susceptible to in the winter or the rest of the year, consider seeing your local, friendly allergist,” Tarbox said.