winter

Sniffing and Sneezing in the Winter: Do I Have a Cold, or Allergies?

When the winter months roll in, most people attribute sniffing, sneezing, and coughing to the common cold. After all, the winter means we get a break from allergies, right? While the cold months give you relief from the allergens outside, the allergens inside could be eliciting the same response you have during the spring. More time spent inside means an increased exposure to common household allergens like mold, dust, and pet dander.

Wintertime Sinuses

Most people connect sinus inflammation and infections with the spring and summer months when seasonal allergies are at their worst. However, sufferers will tell you that their sinus symptoms, such as headaches, runny noses, coughing, congestion, sinus pressure, congestion, and post nasal drip, often intensify during the winter. Here’s why:

Beware of Winter Allergies

People generally associate seasonal allergies to the onset of the warmer months and high pollen counts. But, for those that suffer from indoor allergies, the winter months, when more time is spent indoors and the windows are closed, can be just as bad.

Winter Ear Infections

There’s no denying it — winter has arrived and is here to stay for the foreseeable future! One of the most common cold-weather illnesses is an ear infection, which can be painful and unexpected, especially when you have snow to shovel and errands to run. While some ear infections do subside on their own, most require professional assessment and treatment to ensure full recovery. Generally, an infection should clear up within five days of adequate treatment.