Five Causes of Indoor Winter Allergies + How to Improve Your IAQ
For millions, the home can become a battleground against indoor allergens. Dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and more can trigger seasonal allergies during the cold months. If you're overwhelmed with sneezes, itchy eyes, and feel like you have a constant runny nose, pay closer consideration to the indoor air quality of your home. While allergies may be common, they're not unyielding. Identifying the causes through testing and keen observation is the first step. Then, solve the problem.
From premium air filters and allergen-resistant bedding, to simple tweaks like regular vacuuming and humidity control, take steps to improve cocktail of allergens that influence the indoor air quality of your home. Then, rest easy as you experience fewer effects of winter allergy symptoms.
Common Winter Allergies and Home Management Tips
1. Dust Mite Allergy
These tiny critters thrive in warm, humid environments. The winter season creates a perfect environment for dust mites. This common winter allergen causes respiratory issues and discomfort for those sensitive to their microscopic presence in households. Household dust produces an allergic reaction that can present like cold symptoms and include sinus pressure and post-nasal drip, itchy throat and eyes, and a runny nose.
Manage by: Washing bedding in hot water weekly, vacuuming window treatments, using allergy-proof pillow and mattress covers, and reducing humidity with a dehumidifier.
Related: Air Filter Maintenance That Really Matters This Season
2. Mold Allergy
A mold allergy is provoked by the growth of fungi in damp spaces such as basements and bathrooms. Having closed windows during the winter months certainly doesn't help. Mold manifests and causes severe symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and skin irritation (skin rashes and itchy skin).
Manage by: Fixing leaks promptly, ventilating bathrooms and kitchens, and using mold-killing products in affected areas, including on shower curtains.
3. Pet Dander Allergy
Pet allergies can be a year-round trigger for those with Fel D1 and Can F1 or Can F2 animal dander, saliva, and skin flake allergies. "While we love our furry friends, they can often leave behind potentially irritating allergens and other impurities around the household—especially their pet beds that hold on to dust and dander. That’s why it is so important to wash pet beds at least once a week," recommends Wendy Saladyga, Stain Expert and Senior Manager of Technical Performance at Henkel for all® free clear. "Whether you’re hand-washing a dog bed or machine washing it, you’ll want to start with a detergent that’s hypoallergenic and free from perfumes or dyes," Symptoms include itchy eyes, nasal congestion, sore throat, and difficulty breathing.
Manage by: Keeping pets out of bedrooms, vacuuming area rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting frequently with HEPA filters, and washing pet bedding regularly.
4. Smoke Allergy
Secondhand smoke generates severe allergies that irritate airways and trigger a dangerous response to allergens... and not just during the colder months. Exposure to allergens produces an immune system response including coughing, shortness of breath and asthma attacks, chest tightness, and watery eyes.
Manage by: Creating a smoke-free home and avoiding environments with secondhand smoke.
5. Pollen Allergy
Trees and plants release pollen in specific seasons, causing sneezing and stuffy noses. Just because you're experiencing cold weather doesn't mean you're excused from indoor plant allergies. Plants serving as indoor allergy triggers include waxplant, some ferns, and the philodendron species.
Manage by: Relocate plants to reduce indoor allergen exposure, and use air purifiers with HEPA filters.
Related: The Impact of Candles on Indoor Air Quality
How to Monitor Your Indoor Air Quality
Managing your indoor air quality and allergies in winter doesn’t need to be a stressful task. "There are indoor air quality monitors in the marketplace that can be used to monitor your home and can help to inform you when you may need to take action to clean the air," shares Kelsey Hei, 3M Filtration and Indoor Air Quality Specialist. "With helpful monitoring tools on the market like the Filtrete™ Smart App, you can easily get updates on outdoor air quality, keep informed of all air filter life and replacements needed, and simplify your reordering needs. Plus, it can be easily paired with compatible smart products like Amazon Alexa, Siri Shortcuts, and more.”
Warning Signs for Poor Indoor Air Quality
Headaches and fatigue. Feeling foggy-headed or constantly drained without clear reason? Indoor pollutants can cause headaches, dizziness, and chronic fatigue.
Respiratory issues. Frequent coughing, sneezing, or tightness in your chest could be triggered by irritants like dust mites, mold, or chemical fumes. Think twice if you suspect your symptoms aren't a common cold.
Dry eyes and skin. Dry, itchy eyes and irritated skin are often red flags for excessive dryness or the presence of airborne allergens.
Unpleasant odors. Persistent musty smells, chemical wafts, or sewage odors indicate potential contaminants or stagnant air circulation.
Visible mold growth. Spotting visible mold in damp areas like bathrooms or basements requires immediate action to prevent health risks.
Excessive household dust particles. Dust accumulating quickly despite regular cleaning might point to poor ventilation or inadequate filtration.
Water condensation on windows. Excessive moisture condensing on windows indicates high humidity levels that favor mold growth and allergen proliferation.
Pet behavior changes. Unusual coughing, sneezing, or lethargy in pets can be early signs of air quality issues affecting them too.
Increased static cling. Frequent static shocks from clothes or furniture could be a sign of imbalanced humidity levels, impacting air quality.
Frequent illnesses. Recurring colds, allergies, or respiratory infections among occupants might suggest persistent indoor air contaminants.
