Ah, December. Cold, dry air, evergreen trees, boxes filled with holiday decorations - and possibly molds and dust - brought down from the attic. And you thought that this was an asthma- and allergy-free season. Among the estimated 16 million adults and 7 million children in the United States who have asthma, slightly more than half of the cases are attributable to allergies, says Dr. Alvin Sanico, medical director of the Asthma Sinus Allergy Program at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University.
Allergy season is typically considered to be spring to fall, when many trees and plants are pollinating. Does this mean winter is allergen-free?
It would depend on the specific allergens to which you are sensitive, which can easily be revealed by allergy skin testing. If you are allergic to pollen from trees, your symptoms could be worse from spring to early summer, when the tree pollen counts are typically elevated. For grass pollen it would be late spring to summer, and for weeds it would be fall. If you are sensitive to allergens from dust mites, pets such as cats and dogs, cockroaches or molds, then winter doesn't represent relief because these things can be found indoors.
What are the symptoms of asthma and allergies?
Symptoms develop as a result of inflammation and can include any combination of breathlessness, cough, wheezing, chest tightness, runny nose, postnasal drip, sneezing, nasal congestion and itchy, watery eyes. Depending on several factors, the symptoms can range from mild to severe and from intermittent to persistent.
Are there particular triggers to watch out for during this season?
Aside from the aforementioned indoor allergens, other potential triggers for asthma exacerbation to watch out for include irritants such as cold, dry air, strong scents, smoke from tobacco or [a] wood-burning fireplace, as well as respiratory infections such as the common colds that tend to be more prevalent during the winter.
Are there any precautions you can take?
If you are allergic to molds, watch out for their presence on evergreen trees, as these could account for symptoms related to live Christmas trees. Molds can also grow on certain artificial trees and other holiday ornaments that are improperly stored in damp areas. If you are allergic to dust mites, apply dust mite-proof encasements for your pillows and mattress, and wash your regular beddings using hot water at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use the fireplace, make sure that the ventilation system is working well. When you spend time outdoors, wear protective clothing over your face to minimize inhalation of cold, dry air.
