Helpful Outdoor Allergy Information for the Winter Months

Allergies tend to flare up more during the spring and summer months due to the rise of pollen in the air, but that's not the case this year. With the fluctuating climate and ragweed counts up, the pollen is going to be chasing those of us with allergies all through autumn and winter as well. Not to worry, there are ways to treat pollen allergies that don't involve over loading your system with antihistamines. Go for a saline nasal spray and try taking butter bur a few times a day, it's just as effective as Benadryl or any other over the counter allergy medicine and a lot better for you.

Another likely possibility is Christmas trees. These beautiful little evergreen trees survive on daily watering, causing mold to build on or around the trunk. This causes the spore count in your home to rise dramatically day by day. If you think this my be triggering your winter allergy problems, consider buying a fake tree or buying an air filter to put near the moldy culprit. For people with less extreme mold allergies, this can sometimes be caused by simply handling the tree. (Bringing it to the car/into your home, adjusting the stand, etc.) In this case, try using gloves or washing your hands directly afterwards.

Another winter problem is rash- Itchy red bumps that spread on different areas of your body. Commonly mistaken for an allergy, most winter rashes are really just dry skin. In the colder months humidity drops and the air becomes very dry, this causes your skin to become dehydrated and itchy. Solution? Don't waste your money on hydrocortisone creams or eczema medications. Just drink plenty of water and if it comes down to it, invest in some Aveeno lotion or bath soak.

Have pet allergies? Try keeping in mind on your next woodland adventure that there are animals outside as well. Just because it's "pet dander" does not mean it's limited to pets. Deer and elk have some of the same allergens as cats do, and their dander can leave you just as miserable. Treat this the same way I recommended for pollen, and you should be just fine.

Also, if you do live in an area where deer are commonly found, it may not be the dander or cold weather that has your respiratory system going nuts. Believe it or not, some people are actually allergic to to a deer's urine and/or serum. The best advice for this is to avoid areas over populated with deer, especially if you are camping and intend on sleeping in the area.

Hopefully following this will help put an end to your winter blues.