Asthma Triggers Print Treatment for Winter Asthma and Allergies Medically reviewed by a board-certified physician Written by twitter linkedin Written by Pat Bass, MD Dr. Bass is a board-certified internist, pediatrician, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians. Learn about our editorial policy Pat Bass, MD Updated on November 20, 2019 LSOphoto / iStockphoto More in Asthma Triggers Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Living With Prevention Asthma in Children You may not think of winter as being a season for allergic asthma, but it all depends on what your particular allergy and asthma triggers are. There are definitely certain allergens, as well as irritants, that are more likely to present problems during the winter months when colder weather forces you to be cooped up indoors for more hours each day. Winter Allergy Symptoms Common winter allergy and asthma symptoms can include: SneezingNasal stuffinessRunny noseItchy, watery, burning eyesItchy mouth or throatWheezingCoughingDifficulty breathingTight feeling in the chest Also, be careful to not make these five common mistakes in winter that can lead to poor asthma control: Not getting a flu vaccinationNot having an action plan for when the weather turns coldFailing to identify winter triggers of asthma symptomsNot having a rescue inhaler availableForgetting to take your medications regularly Common Winter Allergens and Irritants Allergic asthma symptoms can come and go at any time of the year. Winter presents some unique challenges, in that both indoor and outdoor triggers can set off symptoms. Being indoors so much exposes you to substances that you may not notice so much when you're splitting your time between the indoors and outdoors during the other seasons. Plus, turning on the furnace can stir up dust, pollen, and other allergens from filters, vents, and carpets. Some common indoor allergens that are especially active in the winter are: Dust mitesAnimal danderIndoor moldsInsect and mouse allergens In addition, there may be some triggers that are known as irritants that are more likely to be encountered in the winter. Irritants don't produce the allergic reaction that allergens do, but they do further irritate already inflamed airways in people with allergic asthma. The most common irritants during the winter months are: Cold outdoor airSmoke from wood fires in fireplaces and stovesSecondhand smoke from tobacco smoking It's also important to note that if you live in an area that never really gets that cold, such as Florida or other southern United States, outdoor allergens, such as pollen and molds, may never really go away completely, triggering symptoms year-round. Influencing Factors Most indoor triggers are affected more by the cleanliness of the indoor environment than anything else. It's almost impossible to ever get rid of indoor allergens entirely, but keeping a clean home does help. Winter weather will vary greatly from region to region, but if you live in a place where winters are cold, then cold, windy air can be a frequent irritant whenever you leave the home. Cold weather may also mean more wood fires and smoke to irritate your airways. In certain areas too, such as the mountain west in the United States, temperature inversions can cause smoke and pollution to lie like a blanket over the lower atmosphere for days at a time. In more temperate climates, winter may bring lots of rainy damp weather, which can mean higher levels of mold spores. Preventive Actions You Can Take Listen to weather forecasts. When the weather is especially dry and cold or wet and rainy, it may make sense to stay indoors as much as you can. If you must go outdoors in cold weather, wear a neck scarf or gaiter that you can pull up over your mouth to warm the air you breathe in.Maintain a clean environment. Vacuum and dust the house at least weekly to keep dust mites and other allergens from settling.Avoid having wood fires in the home if you are sensitive to smoke. If you don't want to stop using your fireplace or woodstove, then at least make sure it's well-maintained and vented. Here are other strategies for avoiding mold, avoiding dust mites, and avoiding pet dander and secondhand smoke. There are also a number of medications that can be used to treat winter allergies and asthma, including: Oral antihistaminesNasal decongestant spraysNasal steroid sprays or nasal cromolyn sodiumEye dropsSaline nasal rinse/irrigation Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. "Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma." NHLBI Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Asthma. 28 Aug 2007. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. "Tips to Remember: Outdoor Allergens." 2007. American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. 31 May 2008 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. "Allergic Rhinitis. " .AAAAI. 13 Apr 2008 Continue Reading