Winter allergies, also called "seasonal allergic rhinitis," are widespread during the colder months. Some of the symptoms of these allergies are sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, eye irritation, and throat itchiness. Indoor allergens like dust mites, fungus, and animal dander, as well as open-air allergens like tree and grass pollen, can cause winter allergies.
When it gets freezing, folks tend to spend more time inside, which can make them more exposed to allergens that live inside. The nose and throat might get irritated or inflamed when exposed to dry, heated air inside houses and buildings. To help with winter allergies, keeping your home tidy and free of mold and dust is essential. You can also use filters or cleaners to clean the air.
What Are Winter Allergies And Their Triggers
These allergies happen when the body's immune system reacts to allergens in the air in the winter. Indoor allergens like pet dander, mold, and dust mites, as well as exterior allergens like tree and grass pollen, are more likely to cause winter allergies.
The dry, heated air inside buildings and homes during the winter is another thing that can make people with allergies sick. Winter allergies can also be caused by putting up a Christmas tree or wreath to decorate for the holidays. Pine and other tree pollen can cause an allergic reaction. To deal with winter allergies well, you need to know what makes them worse and what symptoms they cause.
List Of Common Symptoms
Following are some of the most common symptoms of winter allergies:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Postnasal drip (mucus dripping down the back of the throat)
Treating Winter Allergies At Urgent Care
Urgent care centers can help people with winter allergies, also known as indoor allergies. Antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays that can be bought over the counter are usually the first step in treating winter allergies at urgent care centers. These medicines relieve symptoms by stopping the histamine response, which makes you sneeze and itch. They can also help clear up a stuffy nose or ease congestion. In some cases, you may need a prescription to control your symptoms.
Steroid nasal sprays can help reduce nasal swelling and improve your symptoms. Other treatments that may be suggested are allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, and saline nasal irrigation. In allergen immunotherapy, the patient is given small amounts of the allergen over time to help them build immunity. With saline nasal irrigation, a saline solution is used for flushing out the nose and reducing swelling.
Knowing that an urgent care center cannot test for allergies or give a detailed treatment plan is essential. However, they can treat the symptoms and suggest that you see an allergist for a more thorough checkup. All in all, urgent care centers can help treat winter allergies in a way that reduces symptoms and improves life.
