As frigid temperatures and unusually snowy conditions over much of the nation continue to keep many Americans indoors, a veteran allergy expert reminds us that staying inside may keep us warm, but it also us gives us prolonged exposure to four powerful indoor allergens capable of triggering a variety of cold and flu-like symptoms.
“If you experience more than nine days of continuing congestion, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and nasal drip, chances are good that you are reacting to the presence of either dust mites, cockroaches, animal dander, or mold somewhere in your home, office or school,” said Dr. Joan Lehach, integrative medicine physician specializing in allergy, asthma and clinical immunology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. “Many times, and especially in the inner city where populations are dense, all four of these allergens are present and must be addressed.”
Dr. Lehach’s tips for controlling your indoor allergy symptoms:
Rootology: Based on the practice of Chinese Herbology, Rootology‘s concentrated herbal extracts offer immediate, non-drowsy nasal & sinus support against head colds, chronic conditions and allergies to irritants like: Pollen, dander, dust, mold, pollution, chemicals and wildfire smoke. The ingredients work individually and in synergy to immediately address sneezing, congestion, sinus pressure, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, and headache caused by allergies, head cold or chronic conditions. Notable ingredients include: Xanthium Fruit, Magnolia Flower, Forsythia Fruit, and Wild Chrysanthemum Flower.
Mold Inspection: The first step for controlling your allergy symptoms is to do a little inspection for mold inside the house. The most common places to find it are on shower curtains, wallpaper, carpets and the sink. Mold also grows in the drain, which can be cleaned with bleach and detergent.
Cockroach Hunt: Studies have found cockroach allergens to be present in at least half of inner city homes and in nearly three-quarters of inner city schools. Cockroaches do not have to be alive to trigger respiratory problems. Dust containing molecules of crushed carcasses can still cause problems for humans. Professionals can be consulted to discover and clean out hidden colonies. Nesting areas and pathways where cockroaches may have been traveling should be thoroughly cleaned.
Dry Up Dust Mites: Keep your indoor humidity at 50 percent or lower, as higher humidity will breed dust mites. A humidity gauge can be purchased for about $5.
Filter Out Animal Dander: If you have a pet allergy, you probably are going to need to be on allergy medications until you can consult with an allergist and see if you want to be desensitized or not. Meanwhile, a small HEPA air purifier placed in each room will keep airborne dander from spreading throughout the house. Mice or other fur-bearing pests living under the house or in the attic must be searched for and removed.
Start an Immune-Building Diet: Eliminate foods that are weakening your immune system, like processed and packaged foods, and start eating immune boosting, allergy fighting foods, like blackberries and blueberries. Also important are multivitamin supplements and digestive enzymes to help you access more of the nutrients in the food you consume.
Get Sufficient Sleep: Our immune system is very “sleep-driven”, and allergies are precipitated by weakened immunity.
Stay Hydrated: When you become dehydrated you get dry nasal mucosa and can develop microscopic cracks in the nasal lining, making it easier for allergens to enter your bloodstream.
Use the “Hot” Setting: Wash your bedding in hot water (at least 130 degrees) to properly neutralize allergens.
Wash Your Face and Hands: Not only to maintain popularity with family, friends, and co-workers, but if there is dander, mold, or dust on your face or hands, chances are good that you will end up inhaling it.
This is some great advice, but the cockroaches totally grossed me out!
Elaina- A Time Out for Mommy recently posted..Sunoco Gift Card Giveaway ($25 Value)
Cockroaches still exist? I haven’t seen one since I was a little girl and I totally freaked out when it crawled by me. Anyway, thanks for the tips!
Ty recently posted..Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
I hadn’t heard of Rootology before. My allergies have been suffering this winter for sure.
Angela recently posted..Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change 2014
It’s been two years since any of us have been sick and we are experiencing cold and flu symptoms. Not all of us have had the same symptoms. We found mold in both of the girls bedrooms and their bathroom and our bedroom 🙁 Hoping the landlords deal with it quickly.
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews recently posted..CBR – Cord Blood Registry
I’ve been using some cedar oil to battle my winter allergies, not sure if cockroaches is something I’d try.
Kelly @ Texas Type A Mom recently posted..February Pinterest $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
I am going to tell my sister about this. She is always having trouble with her allergies.
Kathleen Bunn recently posted..Mardi Gras Candy Coated Popcorn
We have an air purifier and vacuum regularly to keep the dander in check but we need to start adjusting our diets. That Rootology sounds like a great, natural supplement.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs recently posted..CuriOdyssey in San Mateo, CA Shows Off Two New Raccoon Girls & New Exhibit
We need to do a better job of purifying our air and maintaining the humidty — dust mites are one of my allergens.
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes recently posted..Old Favorites Made New {weekly meal plan}
Great tips! Looks like a great product too!
Stephanie recently posted..Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life!
These are all really good tips. This is a new product to me but looks really good.
Jennifer @ My Sweet Sanity recently posted..P.F. Chang’s New Winter Seasonal Menu
I’m going to need these for me and my family.
Eww – cockroaches!!
These are some great tips. I have an allergy to dust, but it;s nothing compared to the hay fever I am going to get a couple of months from now!
my spring allergies are the worst, with all that dang pollen!
elle sees recently posted..Coffee & Chit Chat: February
I think the something that likes to blossom near my house is the underlying cause of my allergies. I wake up stuffy and sneezing from February through May!
Marcie W. recently posted..Candace’s Corner – Fiber One Protein Cereal’s Two New Additions
I have allergies in the Winter, did not know they sold products to help with this.
April Decheine recently posted..I am a Food Blogger Pro Member
We don’t; have any specific allergies but I make sure the kids wash their hands a lot.
Anne – Mommy Has to Work recently posted..Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus!
My whole family suffers from allergies, and I have asthma. These are great tips!
Shell Feis recently posted..Celebrating National Children’s Dental Health Month with Great Tips from Trident
My husband would appreciate this, he gets them really badly!
Penelope Guzman (NYC Blogger) recently posted..A Tale Of Two Kiddies
My allergies have been going crazy this winter. I’ll have to check out this product. My normal OTC allergy medicine isn’t cutting it.
Angela S recently posted..Greek Pastitsio Casserole Recipe
Used the wrong email addy for the post a second ago… My allergies have been going crazy this winter. I’ll have to check out this product. My normal OTC allergy medicine isn’t cutting it.
Angela S recently posted..Greek Pastitsio Casserole Recipe
Never heard of this before … dust mites? My worst enemy! Thanks for sharing will definitely be checking them out!
Sandra (at) Coasahmom (dot) com recently posted..Take your child’s boredom away with educational videos
Never heard of Rootology before, but I like that it is all natural. One tip my mom gave me the other day was to take my pillows and duvets and place them in a garbage bag to keep them dry and take them outside when the temperature is below 30 Fahrenheit. This kills any dust mites and prevents any eggs laid from hatching. Just thinking about that grosses me out.
Lucero De La Tierra recently posted..Dark Light Poetry Vol II & £30 Paypal Cash WW Giveaway, ends 3/8
We suffer from allergies all year round, so I might look into this! Thanks so much for sharing this, we are willing to try anything.
I didn’t realize humidity had an effect on dust mites. That’s good to know!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted..Jambu Glamour Wedges for Spring and Summer
I admit that if I get sick in the winter, the first thing I think of is a cold, not allergies. It makes sense though, especially when we’re cooped up during the winter months.
Tonya recently posted..Plan Your Visit to Castaway Bay Indoor Waterpark in Sandusky Ohio
Um, I never knew you could have allergies caused by cockroaches. I can see it, though… they (and rats/mice and mosquitoes) are the nastiest vilest creatures on earth and to answer Ty – if an atomic bomb went off, roaches would be the one, maybe only, creature to survive it.
Donna recently posted..Managing Modern eCommerce Operations
Great tips, and Ewwwww on the roaches & dust mites. I have been in this house for almost 15 years now. I’ve battled mice several times (gross), but thankfully, never roaches.
Robin {Mom Foodie} recently posted..Did You Watch the Premiere of Nashville Wives Last Night?
Those are really good tips–things I’ve never heard of before, too. I know that I never get enough sleep and I’m sure that is why my allergies are worse at those times. Mold is a serious problem for me as I have an allergy to spores so I try to keep myself away from anything that could be moldy.
Jennifer recently posted..iParent.TV Giveaway and Special Offer #iparenttv
Just seeing the word cockroaches written out gives me the hibbie-jibbies!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy.com recently posted..Graco Duet Rocker Review