During the winter months, we all close the doors and windows and turn on the heat. Escaping the cold of the outdoors often leads us with poor indoor air quality. Pet dander, dust mites, and mold are all common in the winter. Since the winter tends to be dry, people often turn on humidifiers. Keeping the home too humid will create a breeding ground for mold. This is why it's important to clean weekly to prevent mold. Watering indoor plants can also cause mold to occur. Try to place the plants in an area in the home where they have plenty of sunlight to help dry out the water. Place them outside on warm days to give them enough ventilation and prevent mold from breeding.

To minimize your chances of dealing with allergies in the winter, you need to sit down and write a list of all the things you know you are allergic to. Since nuts are common during the holidays, avoid eating food that has nuts. Nuts can be dangerous to some people and they can cause canker sores for other people. Since the windows are shut, make an extra effort to keep the home properly ventilated. Get a new air filter on the heater, dust the fans and try to vacuum two times a week. If you have children, make sure that air is always moving in their room. Install a ceiling fan so that the air is always moving. Several studies done on SIDS have concluded that one reason why some babies may die is because they are breathing in carbon dioxide because their lungs are not strong enough to push it away from their mouth and nose before they breathe in again. Turning on a fan will help to keep the air circulating, which can possibly save your child's life.

An air purifier is another great way to cut down on the dust mites and pet dander in the home. If you have pets, you may see some pet hair floating around the home when the fan is turned on. An air purifier will collect this hair along with some dust mites that are causing you to sneeze and deal with other problematic allergy symptoms. Try to keep pets in one area of the home and keep them as clean as possible. Keep the pets out of your bedroom, especially if you have allergies or asthma, the pet dander will make it difficult to breathe at night.

Clean your home often. Not only will vacuuming help to reduce the dust mites in the home, you also need to wash your sheets often. Use some Febreeze to spray on the couches and drapery to help reduce the pollen and dander in the home. Washing your clothing and sheets often will get rid of the dry skin cells that your body sloughs off.

The second you start to notice your allergy symptoms pick up, make sure you take your medication. Many of the prescription strength allergy medications can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. Always take medication before you head over to a party since pet dander is commonly carried on clothing of individuals that live with pets. Preventative steps are the best thing you can do to get rid of your allergy problems during the holidays.