Stuffy Nose: Is It Allergies?
Once the colder weather rolls around, it is very easy to pass off a symptom such as a stuffy nose as having a cold. Normally, some cold symptoms might persist from seven to ten days. However, if you are still suffering a stuffy nose for longer than two weeks, it may be very possible that you have indoor allergies.
Indoor Allergies - The Gift That Keeps Giving
Unlike seasonal allergies that last a few months, if you have indoor allergies, you may experience allergy symptoms throughout the entire year. Your symptoms will usually worsen with the more time that you spend indoors, especially during the winter because your exposure will be greater.
During the winter, you will be using your heating system more, which can continuously circulate and unsettle allergens that might be lying about. You are also less likely to open windows to let fresh air in that would dilute the amount of allergens in the air in your home.
Potential Allergens within Your Home
While you won’t have pollen to contend with in the winter, there are a variety of allergens that may be in your home and could be sparking your stuffy nose and causing other allergy symptoms:
- Dust Mites – Dust mites live with us in our beds, carpets, chairs and are a major indoor allergen. They need a warm, humid environment to grow and we provide that! Total avoidance is very hard.
- Mold – All homes have some mold spores. In the summer most come inside when we open the doors or windows. Having water leaks inside leads to more coming directly from the indoors. Fixing the leaks and cleaning up the prior damage leads to allergy help.
- Pets – Yes, even the family pet, whether a cat or dog, guinea pig, mouse, rat, or gerbil can trigger allergy symptoms. Pets produce many allergens that are present in their hair, fur, saliva, urine, skin and dander
Working at avoidances, using the nasal steroid medications daily, and adding as needed non-sedating antihistamines often controls ones symptoms. If this not giving you enough relief, it might be time to consult an Allergist.
For more proven ways to Allergy and Asthma Relief, choose a Real Allergist—one certified by the American Board of Allergy & Immunology (ABAI). For allergy sufferers in the Sioux Falls area, Dakota Allergy & Asthma is ready to help.
