Do you suffer from allergies in the winter?

If you are an allergy sufferer, you learn to expect problems during the spring and fall, but what about winter? Allergies are often associated with pollen, but there are allergens that can trigger reactions all year-round.

When temperatures drop, everyone rushes to turn on the heater, which is the source of many winter allergy problems. Mould, dust mites, insects and pet dander are allergens that build up in the vents and under furniture. When the furnace comes on, it pushes air out of the duct network and stirs up all the things that have settled there.

Allergic reactions during the winter present much like common cold symptoms, without the aches and fever. Look for cough, itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing. The key to telling the difference between a respiratory infection and allergies is time. Colds rarely last longer than a few days -- two weeks at the most. Winter allergies will plague you all season long.

You can treat winter allergies the same way as the ones you get in the spring. Prevention offers the best chance of success. Here are a few ways to help with your winter allergies:

• Get the ducts cleaned once a year to eliminate some of the build up.
• Move and clean under the furniture once or twice a month. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
• Inspect your home regularly for mould, focusing on piles of firewood and the basement.
• Clean the showers and sinks with a bleach solution to prevent mould spores.
• Turn on the exhaust fan when showering to decrease the humidity.
• Add a HEPA filter to your heating system.
• Set up a dehumidifier if you live in an area with high humidity.
• Wash your bedding weekly in hot water.

• Set up one room, preferably the bedroom, as the allergy-free zone. No pets or plants are allowed in this room. If your symptoms persist, an antihistamine will reduce the sniffling and sneezing.
• It is important to control the sinus congestion that comes with allergies to prevent an infection. Try a decongestant to clear the sinus passages. A decongestant will relieve some of the inflammation that comes with an allergic reaction, too, so you can breathe easier.
• If over-the-counter remedies don't work, your physician may create a care plan that includes allergy shots. This treatment exposes you to a common allergen in increasing doses, so your body can build up a resistance.