December 06, 2024 | Black & Kletz Allergy
Winter is around the corner and so are the annoying allergy symptoms that some individuals experience during this time of the year. Classically, in the Washington, DC, Northern VA, and Maryland metropolitan area, when people think of hay fever (i.e., allergic rhinitis), they think of allergy symptoms that occur in the Spring and/or Fall. The allergens that cause these bothersome symptoms in the Spring and Fall are primarily pollens. Tree and grass pollens generally cause allergy symptoms in the Spring, whereas weed pollens are commonly responsible for allergy symptoms in the Fall. It should be noted that mold is also a very common allergen which often increases in the Fall, particularly around decomposing fallen leaves.If pollens are generally a problem in the Spring and Fall, why do so many people experience allergy symptoms in the Winter? What allergens are causing individuals to feel so lousy during the coldest time of the year? The answer is not a simple one. There are many allergens that may wreak havoc on sensitive allergic individuals during the Winter. The most common allergens responsible for Winter allergies may include dust mites, molds, pets, and/or cockroaches.
As far a dust mites are concerned, in the Washington, DC metro area, the 2 common species of dust mites are Dermatophagoides fariniae (i.e., American dust mite) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (i.e., European dust mite). Both of these species are quite allergenic. In fact, it is the fecal particles and exoskeleton that are the allergenic components of the dust mites. Dust mites are usually found indoors in places such as in bedding (i.e., pillows, mattresses, box springs), carpeting, and upholstered furniture. They are microscopic in nature and look similar to cockroaches except they cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are approximately 0.25 mm. in length. Dust mites survive by eating the dead skin that habitually sloughs off of humans each night, hence they are commonly found in bedding. Dust mites flourish in high humidity, warm, moist climates. They do not survive if the temperature is over 130° F or when the altitude is greater than 1 mile (5,280 feet). Dust mites are known to be a common cause of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis (i.e., eye allergies) and asthma in many sensitive individuals. Dust mites can be killed with the application of miticide products, however these products have not been shown to be that efficacious. Encasing one’s pillows, mattresses, and box springs in allergy-proof encasings are a fairly effective way to minimize one’s exposure to dust mites.
In the Winter, many people close up their homes by keeping the windows closed and recirculating the air. As a result, indoor allergens such as dust mites, molds, pet dander, and cockroach become trapped in the home causing an individual to breathe in more allergen than during other times of the year when the windows tend to be open more often.
Cockroach allergy is common particularly in major cities such as Washington, DC and New York City. They are potent allergens. Many apartments, condos, homes, restaurants, and public buildings in inner cities are infested with cockroaches, even though they may not be visible during the day to most people. It is important to make sure that traces of food are not left on countertops and floors, as this entices cockroaches. There is also a strong association between cockroach allergy and childhood asthma in inner city populations. Cockroach allergies may cause allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and/or asthma symptoms in sensitive allergic individuals.
Pet allergens from the dander and saliva tend to be worse in the Winter due to the closed up nature of a typical house. People who are allergic to pets but refuse to give them up should at least not allow the pet to venture into their bedroom, if at all possible. This will give the individual a “pet-free” zone in the bedroom, where people tend to spend the most time.
Mold allergy is also prevalent during the Winters in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Washington, DC was built on a swamp and as a result the abundance of mold is commonplace. Similar to dust mite, cockroach, and pet allergies, mold is an indoor allergen, however, unlike dust mite, cockroach, and pet allergies, mold is also found outdoors. This double whammy makes mold allergy a unique allergen in that it affects people both indoors and outdoors. It is recommended that people keep the relative humidity in their homes to be below 33%.
In a perfect world, avoidance of the offending allergen is obviously the best option to prevent environmental allergies. In reality however, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to avoid contact with some of these ubiquitous allergens. So if one is unable to avoid these allergens, there are numerous medications that can be used by allergy doctors to treat dust mite, mold, pet, and cockroach allergies. In addition to various antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays, and allergy eye drops, allergy shots (i.e., allergy injections, allergy immunotherapy, allergy desensitization) are a very effective tool that board certified allergy specialists use to treat individuals with these allergies, as well as pollen allergies. Allergy injections are effective in 80-85% of the patients. Allergy shots have been used in the U.S. to treat allergies and asthma for over 100 years. The average length of treatment is 3-5 years.
The board certified allergy specialists of Black & Kletz Allergy have been treating pediatric and adult patients with allergies and asthma for over 5 decades. Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 offices in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area. We have convenient offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA. Our offices in Washington, DC and McLean, VA are Metro accessible with free shuttle service between the Spring Hill metro station and our McLean office. All 3 locations offer on-site parking. To make an appointment, please call us, or alternatively you can click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours on the next business day. The allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy strive to manage your allergy and asthma to your utmost satisfaction in a professional caring atmosphere.
