Small Changes To Make To Your Home To Keep Allergies At Bay During Winter

Winter is upon us. For many, it's the season of playing in the snow, cuddling up by a cozy fireplace, and making some stunning holiday decor DIYs. Others, though, have to be a bit less festive because winter is also be a time when allergies flare.

Many tend to think of allergies as more of a springtime occurrence, bringing stuffy noses and red eyes when new plants (and tons of new pollen!) break onto the scene. But winter brings allergens, too. And unfortunately for people who love all sorts of holiday accoutrement, they could be triggered by the very activities they love about the season, such as relaxing near a fire or lighting seasonally scented candles. Even just spending more time cozied up indoors can trigger nasty reactions, since indoor allergens like dust and mold have plenty of opportunity to grow in homes that are humid, overheated, and well insulated.

It's no fun for people want to get in on the holiday spirit. But thankfully, there are some small, manageable changes you can make to keep allergies at bay (while still preserving the festive mood!). By using air purifiers — and being sure replace those air filters — you can use smart technology to improve air quality. Additionally, you can avoid potential allergens that smoke and fragrances bring by swapping out fires, candles, or plants for decorations that are easier on the senses.

Most of the common winter allergens are triggered by indoor items and circumstances. Instead of opening the windows to let in fresh air, we're trapping warmth inside. Pet dander and dust mites don't have anywhere to go. Mold can also thrive in the winter, since it's easy for it to find places that are darker and moister than usual — think rooms that get less daylight, or basements that are heated to the point of over-humidity.

Air purifiers are key for drawing out that harmful air, filtering out the contaminants, and then recirculating cleaner air throughout your space. Thankfully, there are plenty of air purifiers that won't break the bank, including ones that use smart technology to keep you informed. Many connect to your smartphone, letting you know when air quality is getting out of hand.

Of course, air purifiers rely on clean and efficient air filters, as do heating systems. If you have an air purifier, making sure you're following manufacturer instruction for the proper filter replacement and overall maintenance. And your HVAC system has to put in tons of work during the winter — it can't clock in for overtime and filter out allergens without a functioning filter. Many pros recommend a maintenance check at the start of winter to make sure your system is operating as it should, keeping spare filters on hand, and changing them monthly during the coldest months to prevent allergy-inducing buildups.

Some people have winter allergies triggered by fragrances or smoke, especially when these gather in a home that's sealed tightly for winter. Others may be allergic to plants that are typical of the season, such as eucalyptus, poinsettias, or Christmas trees. Air purifying can help mitigate some of the effects of these, but if you're still noticing symptoms such as sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, difficulty breathing, or a scratchy throat, you might want to try eliminating some of these sources from your home.

Candles, fireplaces, and seasonal plants are all staples to holiday decor, so it's not always easy to give them up. But keep in mind that there are fun alternatives to all of them. Creating a simmer pot is a great way to ditch candles and use a sustainable alternative for a seasonal home aroma. You just fill a pot with water and richly-scented items that are less likely to trigger allergies — such as citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, or cranberries — and then set that pot to gently simmer on the stove.

Additionally, manufacturers are getting a lot better at making fake items look real. There are some great places to buy an artificial Christmas tree that will last for years and look like the real thing. Plus battery operated candles like the Homemory Flameless Votive Candles add ambiance without the smoke. You'd never know that the flickering flame and realistic wax drip is all a ruse. If it's the fragrance rather than the smoke that triggers your allergies, you can also look for non-toxic, soy wax candles to see what works best for you.