Cold Weather Comfort: How to Reduce Allergy Triggers

This post was sponsored by the makers of REACTINE®. All opinions are true and are my own.

Oh, you thought we were done talking about allergies? I wish! The truth is, even though we’re all familiar with the term “seasonal allergies”, a large percentage of Canadians (myself included!) are affected by allergy triggers all. year. round.

(That’s four seasons of seasonal allergies, for those keeping tabs.)

With the cold weather approaching, it simply means a switch from one trigger to another. A great big pile of old, mold-prone leaves, anyone? A-choo!
The good news: there are things you can do to limit your exposure to allergens. During winter months, we tend to stay indoors more, so mold, dust mites, and pet-related allergies are the main trigger of allergy symptoms. REACTINE® has amazing resources on their website, including a list of ways to Reduce Allergens in Your Home. Today, I’m happy to share some of the techniques that have worked for me! 

1. Avoid carpets, rugs, or heavy drapes – or any upholstery that allow for dust to accumulate. We recently ripped out our 9-year old carpet from our second floor and replaced it with engineered hardwood. Then, we followed up with a prompt cleaning of our air ducts. The difference in the air quality is actually tangible! With carpet, I often spotted dust particles floating through the air as I moved around the room. Yuck! It seems to have all but disappeared with the introduction of wood flooring.

(Plus, wood flooring shows dust faster, so I’m more likely to stay on top of my cleaning routine.)

2. Be vigilant with your cleaning. There’s a reason why our moms nagged us to pick up after ourselves. More clutter = less opportunities for a thorough clean. I’m realizing more and more that cleaner air begins with a more organized home! And when I’m not trying to vacuum around toys or dust between books, I really do a better job.

Tip: If dust is an allergy trigger for you, when cleaning, wear a mask and/or goggles and use a dampened cloth to tamp down air particles rather than stir them into the air.

3. Get an air filter. I can’t live without my air purifier! It runs non-stop in my bedroom and I even run a smaller one daily in my home office. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters help trap allergens that can trigger allergies. Plus, if you have carpet in your home, an air purifier can trap the dust that is stirred about when you walk. It truly is a must-have, particularly in the winter months!

4. Choose house plants carefully. Most people think of house plants as being triggers for allergy sufferers. But did you know that some house plants actually provide benefits? According to REACTINE, “The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have discovered that certain plants clean the air and reduce dust mites in your home. These plants absorb allergens through their leaves and give off moisture and oxygen in return.” Who knew, right?

Tip: The Areca Palm is a very efficient air humidifier and other allergy-friendly home plants include the Bamboo Palm, Lady Palm, and Dracaena.

5. Keep the windows closed. Sorry to spoil the fresh air party, allergy sufferers. If outdoor allergens are high on your list of triggers, you should restrict the amount of time windows can be left open. Pollen blowing in through an open window and can increase your allergy misery, and that’s definitely not how you want to spend your free time at home!

6. Find the right relief for your symptoms by visiting REACTINE®. An adult antihistamine product like REACTINE can start to work in as little as 20 minutes, offering a full 24 hours of relief. Antihistamines work by stopping histamine (a chemical in the immune system) affecting your body’s cells in the usual way.

A decongestant and antihistamine combination like REACTINE Complete Sinus + Allergy can also help to relieve nasal congestion. Decongestants prompt the blood vessels to constrict, and as a result, they help relieve congestion in the nasal passageways. Help is out there – don’t be afraid to ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a product that’s right for you!