It’s finally that time of year again! ‘Tis the season for lights, feasts, celebrations…and common viruses.
There are plenty of reasons to get excited for the holidays, but getting sick can put a damper on your holly jolly mood. Unfortunately, there are a few allergies that like to run rampant this time of year. Dr. Mayank Shukla and our friendly staff members want you to stay aware, in order to stay protected.
You deserve to have a happy, carefree holiday season – here’s what you should look out for so that you aren’t stuck home sick with a cold! For a more in-depth diagnosis of pulmonary issues, contact the premier allergy and asthma specialist in New York.
Mold is a Monster This Time of Year
Technically, everyone is allergic to mold – but mold allergies tend to be worse during the winter season. This is because mold flourishes in wet, hot areas. Since it gets cold during the winter, you’re bound to turn the heater on. Some parts of your home, such as the bathrooms and basements, can become especially humid and wet during this time of year. This is mold’s favorite time of year, because it can grow and mature.
Once it matures, it releases spores into the air, which can be very harmful once consumed. They can also cause a bad bout of allergies to flare up, and it becomes more and more difficult to rid spores from the air.
Dust Mites are Dirty
Dust mites are around during all times of the year, but they are especially prominent during the colder months. This is because when you turn on your heater or furnace, dust mite parts and particles can get thrown about into the air. This makes anyone susceptible to developing allergy symptoms. The prolonged presence of dust mites in the air and the environment make it a sticky situation for anyone’s sinuses.
Dust mites cannot be seen from the naked eye, but they exist in almost every mattress and pillow. They leave behind droppings and corpses, which are typically harmless – except for when a heater blows them into the air. Then they can become ingested, causing a flare-up of allergy symptoms.
Beware of Pet Dander
Whether or not you’re naturally allergic to pet fur, their dander is especially thick during the holiday season. Not to mention the amount of hair that gets thrown into the air once your heater kicks on. The particles released from pet saliva, urine, and dander can be very harmful to a person’s sinuses, and the symptoms can affect the entire respiratory system.
Look Out for the Symptoms
If you think you may be experiencing a cold or an allergy outbreak, but you aren’t sure what the identifying factors are, take a look at this list of common symptoms that typically denote winter allergies:
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Trouble sleeping
- Coughing fits
- Watery eyes
- Running nose
- Itchy face, eyes, and nose
Allergies can stick around for months, and can often be annoying to deal with. If your symptoms progress, your ailment may turn into a cold and flu. But keep in mind that colds and the flu don’t last as long as allergies, and they are also accompanied by more severe symptoms like fevers and nausea.
If you are concerned about your overall health, and you feel like winter allergies are affecting your quality of life, it’s important to contact your doctor right away.
Allergy and Asthma Specialist in New York
Whether you have persisting allergies, a common cold, or something more serious, our talented and professional staff members can help you lessen your symptoms and restore your breathing back to normal. It’s no fun being sick, and it’s even less fun being sick during the festive holiday season.
If you are looking for an allergy and asthma specialist in New York, you can contact us online at any time, or give us a call at (917) 935-4864 to schedule a consultation as soon as possible. Your better health is our number one priority!
