Continuous sneezing, prolonged nasal congestion, or eye itching in winter are often mistaken for a common cold. However, according to experts, this may also be a sign of winter allergies, a common condition but easily overlooked.
When the weather is cold, people tend to stay indoors more. This inadvertently increases the level of exposure to allergens in the house such as dust, mold or pet fur. Unlike colds caused by viruses that usually resolve on their own after a few days, winter allergies can last, affecting sleep, living and quality of life.
Dr. Brunda MS, Senior Internal Medicine Consultant at Aster CMI Hospital (India) said: "Winter allergic symptoms are very similar to colds, but the difference is that they are longer-lasting and usually do not come with fever.
Winter allergic signs that should not be ignored
Prolonged runny nose or stuffy nose: Cold stuffy nose usually subsides after about a week. Meanwhile, allergic stuffy nose can last for weeks or months. Patients can also sneeze a lot in the morning or after cleaning the house.
Itching, tears: Itching, red eyes or tears are common signs of allergies. Indoor agents such as dust, mold or pet fur can easily cause eye irritation, especially when windows are closed in winter.
Prolonged sore throat and cough: Itchy throat, dry sore throat in the morning may be caused by runny nose fluid flowing down the throat combined with dry air. Phlegm cough, especially at night, is also more often associated with allergies than infection.
Skin allergies: Dry, itchy or erythematous skin in winter is not only caused by cold weather. In sensitive people or people with underlying skin diseases such as eczema, allergens in the house can make the skin condition worse.
Headache and sinusitis: Winter allergies can cause headaches, severe sensations in the forehead, around the eyes or cheeks due to sinus obstruction. This easily makes patients tired and difficult to concentrate.
Prolonged fatigue: Nasal congestion, cough or sore throat can disrupt sleep. Even if you sleep enough hours, patients still feel sluggish and lack energy during the day.
Shortness of breath and shortness of breath: In people with asthma history, winter allergies can cause shortness of breath or shortness of breath, especially when inhaling cold air combined with allergens in the house.
Why are winter allergies often more severe when indoors?
According to Dr. Brunda, unlike seasonal allergies that occur outdoors, winter allergies mainly originate from the indoor environment. Common agents include:
Moss in blankets, sheets, pillows
Mold in humid areas
Pet flesh accumulates due to poor air circulation
If the symptoms are prolonged, without fever and become more severe when indoors, the cause may be allergies rather than a cold.
Notes
Winter allergies are easily confused with common colds, but can cause long-term effects if not correctly identified. If symptoms last for more than 10 days, recur many times, or disrupt sleep and daily activities, you should see a doctor for advice and appropriate treatment.
