Colder temperatures often mean turning up the heat, wearing warm sweaters and enjoying plenty of hot cocoa, meaning more time inside and the potential for increased exposure to indoor allergens. This is especially worrying for those with asthma.
It’s not just pollen and spring allergens that can cause asthma attacks. The air quality in your home during winter can have a significant impact on your lung health. In particular, household dust and animal dander are known to easily irritate or aggravate current and preexisting asthma symptoms.
Spring cleaning is a ritual for many but did you know that doing a winter wash can be just as beneficial? Before getting too cozy indoors, do a winter cleaning and minimize your chance of an asthma flare-up.
Here are a few tips to help you breathe more easily indoors:
• Dust the ducts. Clean your ductwork before turning on the furnace for the first time – this will limit dust from circulating throughout your home.
• Manage your meds. Take your asthma medications as prescribed by your doctor to help maintain control of your condition. This means taking your daily maintenance medication even when you are not having asthma symptoms.
• Keep warm. Very cold air can trigger an asthma attack. After your winter cleaning, stay indoors during periods of extreme cold.
