Air pollution and indoor heating can trigger winter nasal allergies, here's how to prevent allergic rhinitis

Causes of allergic rhinitis: Commonly known as nasal allergies, it happens when the lining inside your nose becomes inflamed because your body’s immune system reacts strongly to certain allergens (Image: Pexels)

Winter season and rising pollution levels outside can trigger nasal allergies, medically known as allergic rhinitis. While it’s a significant issue, it is often overlooked by most due to a lack of awareness.

What many might not know is that some of its symptoms are aggravated in the colder months, mainly due to indoor environmental factors, including heating systems and allergens such as dust mites. While outdoor pollen presents an equally potent threat, the indoor environment also needs to be effectively managed in a way that is conducive to our overall health.

Dr Vivek Jadhav at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Care Centre in Bhandup, Mumbai, shares detailed insights about nasal allergies, including their causes, symptoms, and preventive measures.

What is Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as nasal allergies, happens when the lining inside your nose becomes inflamed because your body’s immune system reacts strongly to certain allergens. Although outdoor allergens like pollen are less common in winter, many people still have ongoing or worse nasal allergy symptoms during this season.

This is mainly because they spend more time indoors, where common allergens like dust mites, mould, and pet dander are present. When these allergens enter your nose, your body releases chemicals like histamine, which cause symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and itching inside the nose.

Impact of indoor heating on nasal mucosa

During winter, indoor heating affects our noses in two important ways. First, heating systems dry out the air inside our homes, which can make the lining inside our noses dry and cracked. This dry nasal lining can’t clear out dust, germs, and other irritants properly, making it easier for allergies and infections to develop, especially in people who are already sensitive.

Second, the warm air blowing from heaters can stir up dust and tiny allergy-causing particles that have settled on furniture and floors, keeping them in the air we breathe. This ongoing exposure worsens irritation and inflammation in the nose, leading to allergy symptoms like congestion and sneezing, and sometimes even increasing the risk of infections.

Dust Mites: A persistent allergen

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live indoors, especially in places like beds, couches, and carpets. They thrive in warm and slightly humid environments, which are common inside homes during winter. These dust mites produce waste that can cause allergic reactions when breathed in or touched by the sensitive lining inside the nose.

People who are allergic to dust mites often have symptoms like sneezing, runny or stuffy nose throughout the year, but these symptoms usually get worse in the winter because we spend more time inside, where dust mites are present. To manage these allergies, it’s important to take steps to reduce exposure to dust mites, such as cleaning regularly and using special covers on bedding.

How to prevent allergic rhinitis

To manage winter nasal allergies effectively, it’s important to reduce exposure to allergens, improve your indoor environment, use appropriate medications, and understand your condition. Washing bedding regularly in hot water (above 60°C) to get rid of dust mites and using special covers that block allergens is recommended.

Using air purifiers with HEPA filters helps remove allergy-causing particles from the air inside your home. Keeping indoor humidity between 30% and 50% is also important, as it helps keep your nasal passages comfortable and prevents mould growth.

Medicines play a key role in controlling allergy symptoms. These include oral antihistamines that reduce sneezing and itching, nasal sprays with steroids that lower inflammation inside your nose, and other drugs that block allergy-related chemicals to ease symptoms.

For people whose symptoms don’t improve with these treatments, allergy shots or tablets (immunotherapy) can train the immune system to tolerate allergens better. It’s important to regularly check in with your doctor and track your symptoms to make sure your treatment is working well.

FAQs on What is Allergic Rhinitis?

Allergic rhinitis is a condition where the inside of the nose becomes inflamed due to an overreaction of the immune system to allergens like dust mites, mould, or pet dander.

Indoor heating can dry out nasal passages, making them more prone to irritation and infections. It also stirs up dust and allergens, exacerbating symptoms like sneezing and congestion.

Symptoms often worsen in winter because people spend more time indoors where common allergens like dust mites and pet dander are prevalent.

Dust mites live in places like beds and carpets, producing waste that triggers allergic reactions such as sneezing and a runny nose, especially during winter.

Preventive measures include washing bedding in hot water, using allergen-proof covers, using air purifiers, maintaining indoor humidity, and taking medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays. Regular medical check-ups are also essential.