Ask the Doctor: Winter allergies

(WWLP) - 22News spoke with Pediatrician Dr. Michael Posner about winter allergies.

1.) By the time the cold weather arrives, most nasal allergy symptoms have disappeared until the spring hay fever season. Do some children continue to have allergic symptoms?

Response: Yes, and some actually begin to have allergy symptoms- the usual clear drippy nose, itchy eyes, and nasal speech. Some of these folks look like they have colds, but colds don't often last beyond 10 days. The most common cause of nasal allergy in the winter is dust, which is better avoided than treated.

2.)All parents have to do is clean more, right?

Response: Well, sort of. The main component in dust to which people react is the digestive debris of the dust mite, a tiny insect which eats the dead skin which we shed around us. This dandruff gets trapped in the mattress, rugs, stuffed animals etc, all of which then harbor dust mites. Dust also obviously contains dog and cat dandruff, plant pollen brought in from outside, food crumbs, paint, plaster and cleaning agent debris. Eliminating the places where dust collects is the most direct way to reduce environmental allergy.

3. But, parents can't be expected to strip their entire house!

Response: That would be unreasonable, but since a child spends 8-12 hours a day in her room, primarily asleep, a serious effort to remove dust catchers from the child's bedroom can make a real difference. [ Graphic#1] The list below shows the easiest things that can be done, even before trying medication. If a parent then throws in not getting a cat, not smoking, and not keeping the house too moist, a major dent can be made in allergy symptoms. Discuss all this with your pediatrician before you rip up her bedroom carpet, but most would agree.

Dust Proofing for Bedrooms
• Cover mattress and pillows with zipped dustproof nylon covers
• Use blankets of synthetic material or cotton- no wool
• Remove carpets- linoleum is preferable
• Hang washable curtains
• Vacuum floors- do not sweep
• Allow only two stuffed animals and wash them regularly
• Keep humidity low- the dust mites like it moist

Click here for more information from the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology.