Ah-Choo to Winter.

• Author: Reed, Amanda
• Position: HEALTH BEAT

WHAT IS LURKING indoors during the "nonallergy" season? Traditionally, most people associate the spring and fall months with allergy season. Although trees, grasses, and weeds are big culprits of relentless allergy symptoms that send everyone running to their allergist for relief, there actually are allergy triggers year round. These may include dust mites, mold, and pets, especially during the winter months when individuals are likely to be spending a lot more time indoors.

Year-round symptoms due to dust mites are experienced by millions of people. These tiny creatures can be found throughout your home, but most often live in warm, humid environments, including beds, carpets, and upholstered furniture--triggering a variety of symptoms, including nasal, ocular, pulmonary, and skin inflammation. If dust mites or other indoor allergies are suspected, patients should consult a board certified allergist for further evaluation, which typically entails taking a detailed history (including environmental exposure), physical exam, and testing. This testing either is a skin prick or blood test for the two main species of dust mites: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farina.

Reducing exposure to the allergen, pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy all are possible solutions. As for reduction, there are dust mite fabric covers for pillows, mattresses, and box springs. Removing carpet and regular vacuuming can help limit exposure as well.

Pharmacotherapy typically includes the use of oral or intranasal antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids. Allergy immunotherapy, by either subcutaneous injection or sublingual tablets, is the most effective long-term treatment for dust mite allergies. Effective treatment with allergen-specific immunotherapy has been shown to decrease the progression of respiratory allergic diseases and even prevent the development of asthma in children.

Mold, meanwhile, is part of the natural environment, and can be found everywhere, indoors and out. Outdoor molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves and dead trees. Molds usually are not a problem indoors unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. The most-common indoor areas are wallboard, fabric, wood, basements, closets, bathrooms, and anywhere in which you may find standing water, such as house plants, humidifiers, and air conditioning units. Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may...