Winter Allergies

Winter Allergies Overview

People in winter are susceptible to stay most of the time indoors. Fortunately, in cold seasons outdoor allergens may become inactive, but it also means that people would be spending more time indoors. In contrast to spring and summer allergies caused by outdoor exposure to pollen or ragweed, winter allergies are caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites, mold, pet dander, fur or cockroaches.

Winter allergies occur when you are sensitive to indoor allergens and live in a poorly ventilated area. Its symptoms are the same as other seasonal allergies and may also resemble that of a cold. Winter allergies can be avoided by adopting a few lifestyle changes and some medical assistance.

Confusing Winter Allergies to Cold Symptoms

You may get confused by cold and winter allergy symptoms as both of them are quite similar. It is possible to get allergies at any age. Because if you didn’t have any previous seasonal allergies that does not necessarily mean that the symptoms are from a cold.

A cold usually improves within three to seven days and may cause thicker mucus or a low fever. Allergy symptoms cause thin, watery discharge, no fever, and continue as long as you’re exposed to the allergen (ACAAI).

Some symptoms that distinguish winter allergies from a cold are:

• Colds may cause fever, but allergens do not change the victim’s body temperature.
• Aches and pains follow a cold while allergies are not followed by Aches.
• Sore throats are common with colds, but allergies cause them less frequently.
• Colds do not cause skin irritation or eye irritation, whereas allergies do.
• Cold symptoms begin to fade away on their own after typically a few days, while allergies only self-resolve when the allergen is avoided.
• Coughs are more common with colds, but allergies can also cause them.

Causes of Winter Allergies

It’s good to know that you don’t have pollens in winters. But you also don’t move out often in winters. The causes of winter allergies are found inside your home. If you are suffering from an increase in winter allergy symptoms like nasal irritation, eye irritation, respiratory irritation, or skin irritation, you may be a victim of the following allergens found indoors.

• Dander: It is the dander, dead skin flakes of cats and dogs that causes acute and chronic allergic reactions in people sensitive to it
• Dust Mites: These are microscopic bugs that cause year-round indoor allergies with severe symptoms. Dust mites may be found in beddings, carpets, or furniture inside your home.
• Mold: Everyone breathes in mold spores, but for people allergic to it can trigger sneezing, cough, congestion, and itchiness. Indoor mildew and mold may be found in humid areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
• Cockroach Droppings: These recurring pests live anywhere and are not a sign of a contaminated or unhygienic home, but it is important to keep the food contained and clean up crumbs promptly. Don’t keep leaky faucets and pipes, and cover-up holes and cervices in your home will keep cockroaches off.

Preventing Winter Allergies

A simple allergic reaction can turn into a big problem with winter allergies. When it is time to turn on the heaters, the indoor air becomes even drier and leads to dry noses causing nosebleeds and peeling skin around your nose. It can boost up infection risks with various nasal irritations.

However, it may not be possible to get rid of winter allergies completely, but you can work on reducing the exposure to allergens in your surroundings. We collected some of the experts’ tips that offer the followings strategies for minimizing indoor allergen exposure in winter:

• Manage humidity: heating can dry the air, but too much humidity feeds dust mites and mold. Aim for indoor humidity between 30% and 50% (ACAAI).
• Avoid carpeting: Carpets are a thriving home for dust mites. Use hard floorings or rugs instead.
• Daily cleanup: Dust, clean, and vacuum your area regularly. You can use a high-efficiency particulate air filter.
• Keep sheets clean: Wash your beddings in hot water to kill the dust mites. You can use hypoallergenic covers for mattresses and pillowcases to keep dust mites at bay.
• Clean your pets: Bathe pets once a week to minimize dander. However, try to keep them off your room, bed, and furniture.

Treatment of Winter Allergies

Winter allergy treatment includes medications as well as some home remedies. Let us have a look into these:

Medication

There are various over-the-counter or prescribed medications available to treat winter allergy symptoms.

Antihistamines: These are used to relieve symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes and nose, runny nose and sneezing. These may be available in the form of tablets, nasal sprays or liquid.

Corticosteroids: Intranasal corticosteroid sprays are the single most effective drug class for allergic rhinitis, easing congestion, sneezing, itching and runny nose (ACAAI). Many brands are sold without a prescription (MedlinePlus).

Decongestants: These relieve stuffiness by shrinking swollen nasal tissue. Don’t use decongestant nasal sprays for more than 3 days, because longer use can cause rebound congestion (MedlinePlus). The FDA has proposed removing oral phenylephrine as an OTC decongestant because it doesn’t work when taken by mouth; as of October 2026 that proposal is not yet final (FDA).

Leukotriene inhibitors: These prescription tablets (such as montelukast) block leukotrienes, chemicals that drive allergy symptoms. They can cause side effects such as anxiety or depression in some people, so tell your doctor about any mental health history first (MedlinePlus).

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is the one treatment that can change how your immune system reacts to allergens over time. Doctors often recommend it for people who don’t get enough relief from medicines, have side effects from them, or can’t avoid their triggers.

Allergy shots and sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablets are the two forms of immunotherapy. A course of allergy shots typically lasts three to five years. Sublingual tablets, approved by the FDA in 2014, cover only a few allergens (certain grass and ragweed pollens and dust mites) (ACAAI).

Home Remedies

Natural or home remedies may bring comfort to people suffering from winter allergies. These remedies may include:

Steam inhalation

Breathing warm, moist air, such as steam from a hot shower, may temporarily ease a stuffy nose. Don’t lean over a pot of boiling water, which can cause serious burns, especially in children.

Saline solution

A saline rinse or spray clears mucus and washes allergens out of the nose and sinuses, and can be used as often as needed (ACAAI). If you mix your own rinse, use distilled or boiled-then-cooled water (MedlinePlus).

Conclusion

Winter allergies are caused by indoor allergens, thus cannot be completely avoided. However, you can seek medical assistance in order to help reduce allergy signs and challenges associated with winter allergies.

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Written by: Madiha Ather Hashmi (April 20, 2021)

This article is for general education and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about your symptoms and before starting, stopping, or combining any medicine.

What actually helps

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HEPA air purifier & filters

A portable HEPA purifier sized to the room can lower airborne particles such as pollen and dust; it only works if you replace filters on schedule. (EPA: Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home)

See the Levoit Core 300 on Amazon

Saline nasal rinse kit

Rinsing with saline can clear pollen from the nose; use distilled, sterile or boiled-then-cooled water, never plain tap water. (FDA: Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?)

See the NeilMed Sinus Rinse kit on Amazon

Dust-mite pillow & mattress covers

Allergists recommend zippered, allergen-proof encasings for pillows, mattresses and box springs, plus hot-water washing of bedding. (ACAAI: Dust Allergy)

See Hospitology zippered pillow encasements on Amazon

Winter Allergy FAQs

What causes winter allergies?

Indoor allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, mold and cockroaches (ACAAI).

Is it a cold or winter allergies?

Colds usually clear in 3 to 7 days; allergies last as long as exposure continues and don’t cause fever (ACAAI).

What humidity is best indoors?

Between 30% and 50% (ACAAI).

Can allergy shots help winter allergies?

Yes, they can treat dust mite, mold, cockroach and pet dander allergies (Mayo Clinic).

Sources

Looking for more allergy types? Find a full list of other allergy types here.

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