Colds, Coughs and Flu
<p><b>4 ways to deal with winter allergies</b></p><p>Winter allergies are frequently triggered by indoor allergens.</p>
<p>When people spend more time indoors, especially in poorly ventilated environments, they are more prone to develop winter allergies.</p>
<p><b>Reduce your dust and dust mite exposure</b></p>
<p>Because dust and dust mites are major indoor allergens, allergy symptoms may intensify as winter approaches (and you spend more time indoors).</p>
<p>The easiest way to avoid (or lessen) allergy symptoms is to avoid being exposed to the allergen in the first place.</p>
<p><b>Tips to reduce dust and dust mites:</b></p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Wash your bedding in hot water at least once a week. This can help prevent dust and dust mite collection.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Place allergy-proof coverings on your mattress and pillow coverings to avoid dust mite collection.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Vacuum your carpets at least twice a week and clean dust-gathering surfaces regularly. Cleaning these surfaces with a wet paper towel or sponge is better than using a duster, which will just cause the dust to recirculate and settle again.</p>
<p><b>Remove household mold </b></p>
<p>Mold is another common allergen that can aggravate allergies during the winter (due to its abundance inside). Mold loves wet environments, such as roof or pipe leaks, in the shower or bathroom, or anyplace there's moisture. Regularly clean moldy shower curtains, rugs, or other items in your home.</p>
<p><b>The difference between a cold and winter allergy</b></p>
<p>A runny nose caused by being outside is not an allergy. Some people mistake a runny nose caused by being outside in the cold for a winter allergy, although the two are unrelated.</p>
<p><b>Improve your eating habits</b></p>
<p>A healthy diet is always helpful to reduce allergy symptoms. Follow a low-fat, high-complex-carbohydrate diet. Eat a lot of veggies (particularly dark, leafy greens, carrots, beets, cabbage, and yams). Avoid caffeine, alcohol, dairy products, red meat, sugar, and wheat as much as possible.</p>
<p><b>Rest up</b></p>
<p>Rest can improve the natural effectiveness of your immune system as well as reduce unneeded stress reactions linked to allergies. Your allergies will be less out of control if you get enough sleep.</p>
<p><b>When to see a doctor</b></p>
<p>Allergies are rarely a life-threatening situation. They can, however, exacerbate asthma symptoms. If your allergies get so severe that they interfere with everyday living, it's important to get medical help.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Cold symptoms continue after about one to two weeks.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>A newborn is wheezing, has trouble breathing, or has allergy or cold symptoms.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>If you don't know whether you have allergies or what you're allergic to.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Allergy treatment does not work or stops working.</p>
<p>Winter allergies may be a pain, as they're frequently triggered by indoor substances that may difficult to avoid. A doctor who specialises in allergies can help you diagnose the problem and help with treatment.</p>
