Sniffling and sneezing more than usual these days? Indoor allergies due to some unfortunate culprits could be to blame.
“Dust mites are actually little bugs we can’t see with our own eyes and they eat our dead skin,” says Dr. Douglas McMahon.
Sorry. But it's true. They're in our mattresses and pillows according to the Allergy and Asthma Center of Minnesota's McMahon who recommends bringing your mattress out into the freezing cold to kill them. If that’s a bridge too far, there are other options.
“Get a dust mite cover on it,” says McMahon. “Dust mites can’t get through the barrier. Same with a pillow. Getting a dust mite cover on it is often very helpful for patients.”
There could also be another culprit for your allergic reactions and it might be man’s best friend.
“If you’re, especially on your bed, and you’re with them for eight hours, you wake up and you’re congested, your nose is running, post-nasal drip, coughing, it’s most likely an allergy to your animal,” says McMahon.
Other indoor allergy triggers? Besides pets in our bedrooms, mold can accumulate in our humidifiers and on our windows. McMahon says air filters and bleach can do the trick, but if not, it is possible to desensitize yourself with the help of shots or medication.