Winter Allergies: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Are winter allergies hitting you harder than usual? You’re not alone. Many people find that their allergy symptoms intensify during the colder months. Staying indoors may keep you safe from the cold, but your home can also become a hotspot for allergens.

If you’re among those dealing with stubborn winter allergy symptoms, read on to learn what’s causing your discomfort. We’ll also discuss how they’re diagnosed and treated, and when to see a doctor.

When Do Winter Allergies Start and End?

Winter allergies typically start in late fall, around October or November, and usually end in early spring, around March or April. When spring arrives and the weather warms up, people go outside more. This fresh air helps clear out indoor allergens, which reduces allergy symptoms.

What Causes Winter Allergies?

Winter allergies are usually triggered by indoor allergens like dust mites, mold, and pet dander [*].

Here’s a breakdown of common causes:

• Dust Mites. Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in things like bedding, furniture, and carpets. In winter, when the humidity is higher, dust mites can spread more easily and become a bigger problem for allergies.
• Mold. In winter, when homes are tightly sealed and humidity rises, mold can grow more easily in damp areas like basements and bathrooms. This makes allergy symptoms worse. Dark spots or patches on walls, ceilings, or floors, and a persistent, damp smell are some signs of mold.
• Pet Dander. This consists of tiny, lightweight flakes of skin and proteins from the saliva, urine, and feces of pets, which can trigger allergic reactions. In colder months, pets are more likely to spend time indoors, leading to dander buildup.

Allergy sufferers might face more challenges in winter, but reducing their impact is possible with a few practical steps.

Winter Allergies Symptoms

Watch out for these winter allergy symptoms:

• Sneezing
• Runny or Stuffy Nose
• Itchy or Watery Eyes
• Coughing
• Sore Throat

It’s important to distinguish between winter allergies and common cold symptoms since they can overlap. Allergies tend to persist for a longer time without fever or muscle pain, which are typical of colds.

How are Winter Allergies Diagnosed?

If symptoms persist beyond 10 days without significant improvement, it is more likely to be allergies rather than a cold or viral upper respiratory infection. In this case, you should see a doctor for further examination. You will be diagnosed through a combination of a detailed medical history and physical examination.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, their duration, and any potential triggers. They may conduct allergy tests too. This approach allows them to distinguish allergies from other conditions and determine the most effective treatment plan.

How to Treat Winter Allergies

Winter allergies can be treated both at home through allergy avoidance and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and doctor-prescribed treatments.

Oral antihistamines

Although they are usually not the preferred treatment by most allergists, antihistamines can help relieve winter allergy symptoms by preventing histamine, the chemical that causes allergic reactions, from binding to receptors in the body. Histamine is what leads to sneezing, itching, and runny nose.

By interfering with this process, antihistamines reduce symptoms and provide much-needed relief from allergy-related discomfort.

Non-drowsy options include loratadine or fexofenadine. These medications can help manage symptoms without making you feel tired or sluggish [*].

Nasal sprays

Nasal sprays offer targeted relief for winter allergies by delivering medication straight to the nasal passages where symptoms occur. Therefore, they are the preferred treatment by most allergists.

There are different types of nasal sprays, and each targets specific aspects of allergy relief:

• Steroid Nasal Sprays. Reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, easing congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. They are ideal for long-term management of allergy symptoms
• Antihistamine Nasal Sprays. Block histamine directly in the nasal tissues, providing rapid relief from itching and sneezing.
• Decongestant Nasal Sprays. Alleviate nasal congestion by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages. These should be used short term to avoid rebound congestion.

Combination nasal sprays offer a comprehensive approach to winter allergy relief by incorporating multiple active ingredients to address a range of symptoms.

For example, Allermi is a standout option that personalizes treatment by combining up to four FDA-approved medications, including an antihistamine, anticholinergic, and decongestant.

Allergy shots

Allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, treat winter allergies by gradually desensitizing your immune system to specific allergens. You receive progressively larger doses of the allergen over time, which helps your body build tolerance and lessen its allergic response.

This long-term treatment can really help reduce symptoms and may decrease or even eliminate the need for other allergy medications.

Eye drops

Eye drops treat winter allergies by applying medication directly to the eyes to treat symptoms such as itching, redness, and watering. This direct application provides targeted and effective relief. However, since most eye allergies are due to nasal inflammation, we believe that nasal sprays are the most effective treatment for eye allergies.

Related: What to Do When Allergy Medicine Doesn’t Work

Tips to Combat Winter Allergies

Here are some tips to combat winter allergies:

• Allergy-proof your home. Use allergen-proof covers on pillows and mattresses.
• Keep indoor air clean. Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce allergens.
• Control humidity. Maintain indoor humidity at 30-50% to prevent mold and dust mites.
• Regular cleaning. Vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum and wash bedding in hot water.
• Proper ventilation. To reduce indoor pollutant buildup, you can open windows briefly (for just 10-15 minutes a day) to circulate fresh air or turn on exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
• Limit pet dander. Keep pets out of the bedrooms and clean their bedding regularly.

These steps can help reduce allergen exposure and relieve winter allergy symptoms.

When to See a Doctor for Winter Allergies

If your winter allergy symptoms continue for more than a week despite over-the-counter treatments, this may indicate the need for specialized care or prescription medications. Visit your doctor or allergist for a comprehensive evaluation.

Your doctor can assess your condition and, if needed, refer you to an allergist for more detailed testing. This may include skin or blood tests to pinpoint the exact allergens causing your symptoms.

The Bottom Line

Don’t let winter allergies hold you back from enjoying the season. We hope that this article has helped you explore your options and take control of your allergy management.

Remember, if your symptoms persist or worsen, seeking professional medical advice for a personalized approach to your allergy relief.

References:

1. Clinic, C. (2024f, May 28). Why Are My Allergies Acting Up in Winter? Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/winter-allergies
2. Farzam, K., Sabir, S., & O’Rourke, M. C. (2023b, July 10). Antihistamines. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538188/