For many individuals, sinus issues get worse as the temperature drops. As we head into fall and winter, this could be from any number of things, like infections, allergies, sinus inflammation, and more. Sinus issues don’t just take place during the spring and summer. For some, sinus symptoms can get much worse during fall and winter, depending on the cause. While there are several factors that can cause sinus issues to flare up, cold weather does its own damage to our airways.

When fall and winter come around, it usually signals a drop in temperature and dew points. This means that there is less and less moisture in the air. This drop in moisture inside and out can lead to overly dry mucus membranes. As a result, our bodies try to compensate for this and start producing more mucus which in turn can block up sinuses and cause inflammation. Thankfully, there are things you can do to reduce your sinus symptoms and create a more comfortable atmosphere during the coldest months of the year. Here at National Allergy, we've made a list of our top tips and product to help you weather the worst winter has to offer!

Our Top Tips for Protecting Sinuses During Winter -

1.) Vacuum Regularly

You may already be aware that indoor allergens get worse as we close our houses up for winter and fall. But did you know that dust, dander, and poor air quality due to stagnant air can make sinus issues significantly worse during this time of year? Dust mites, mold spores, pollen, dust, dander, and VOCs are all common triggers of sinusitis. In particular, rugs, carpets, blankets, bedding, and upholstered furniture tend to be major sources of these sinus-triggering contaminates. Moreover, during winter and fall, when we tend to keep windows and doors closed, it cuts off our supply of fresh air, forcing us to breathe in more of these pollutants. Vacuuming regularly with a HEPA Vacuum will help significantly decrease the number of allergens and pollutants lurking in these locations. The LivePure Ultramite UV HEPA Vacuum & Fabric Sanitizer is a great option for neutralizing allergens in bedding between washes as well!

2.) Keep It Clean

During winter, one of the most important things you can do to improve indoor air quality and reduce sinus issues is to keep your home as clean as possible. A good place to start is by washing your bedding as often as possible in hot water with an Anti-Allergy Laundry Detergent and or Laundry Additive. Together these will help neutralize allergens and kills dust mites and bed bugs. If you want to take your bedding game up a notch, consider investing in Allergy Bedding with a Pillow Protector,
Mattress Protector, or Comforter Cover to keep dust mites and bed bugs from getting in or out of your bedding. Next, remember to keep surfaces clean of dust and debris by wiping them down with a Microfiber Cloth and Anti-Allergen Surface Spray. And don’t forget to Mop up dirt and debris from your hard floors to prevent it from being tracked throughout the home.

3.) Improve Indoor Air Quality

Although allergens and contaminants love to gather in fabric surfaces, they are also present in the air we breathe inside our homes as well. With fresh air being at a minimum during the coldest months of the year, our indoor air gets more and more polluted as the months go on. Things like pet dander, dust, and VOCs continue to build inside our homes. This is especially true if you've recently painted, installed new carpeting, or purchased new furniture. All of these items give off VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can be harmful to our health and cause all sorts of breathing and respiratory issues. Thankfully, an Air Purifier is just the thing to help you clean your indoor air without having to lower the temperature of your home by opening windows and doors. Certain models, like the Austin Air HealthMate Plus, can even produce completely fresh air multiple times per hour, depending on the size of the room.

4.) Humidify With Steam

Cold and dry air on its own can be seriously annoying for our sinuses and airways. But factor in the other awful side effects, like dry cracked skin, brittle hair and nails, sore scratchy throats, and it's enough to make us wish for summer again. On the other hand, winter and fall may be the perfect time of year to introduce warm mist or steam humidification to your daily routine. It's no secret the toll dry air can take on our bodies, but what about our homes? Did you know that the drier the air gets, the worse it is for certain parts of our dwellings? That's right, and it can make our wood floors crack and even warp our wooden furniture. This is because when humidity drops below a certain point, the wood starts to really dry out. Introducing a Warm Mist Humidifier or Steam Humidifier can help make a difference to not only you're healthy by relieving dry and irritated sinuses and keeping you fortified against infection, but it can also help strengthen your home and its furnishings as well. Our AirCare Essentials Ozark Steam Humidifier is perfect for the nightstand or end table and will help soothe you and your home!

5.) Flush Out Your Sinuses

When all else fails, and you're dealing with a cold, the flu, or another type of sinus issue that can't be helped by controlling your environment, then a Neti Pot or Nasal Irrigation System like our SinuPulse Elite Nasal Irrigation System may be your best bet! These treatments work by flushing out clogged sinuses and nasal openings with a special saline solution. Implementing these tools daily helps keep the nose and sinuses clear and moisturized while also ridding passageways of irritants like allergens, germs, and bacteria that can cause infection. SinuPulse Elite, Xlear Nasal Spray, and Nasopure Nasal Wash are all designed to help cleanse and flush out sinuses providing relief of allergy symptoms, sinusitis, postnasal drip, infections, and more. It's important to remember to use only filtered, boiled, or distilled water and to properly clean or dispose of devices (depending on the product) after each use.