Think of Health Connection first when you have a health concern or question. Because we usually think of allergies starting with the first blossoms of spring, we assume these symptoms in winter are signs of a common cold or the flu. In fact, winter can be a very difficult time for allergy sufferers who are trapped indoors with windows shut tight and furnaces circulating and recirculating allergens throughout homes and offices. Pet dander, the skin flakes of cats and dogs, is a common cause of allergies in the home. Pet hair also can cause allergic reactions, but this is usually because the pet hair collects other allergens such as molds, pollen and dust mites.
Molds can grow indoors or outdoors, anywhere there is sufficient moisture.
It is actually the airborne spores of the mold that create the allergic reaction. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that thrive in warm, humid environments and reside in household dust. Dust mites cling to carpet, upholstery and bedclothes, causing allergic irritation with each contact. According to Dr. James T. Li, a Mayo Clinic allergy, asthma and immunology specialist, the best treatment is actually prevention. Avoiding exposure to allergens by allergy-proofing your home is preferable to treating the symptoms when they occur.