It might seem that winter is the most agreeable time of year for people with allergies because they do not have to deal with pollen. But that is not entirely true. We tend to spend a lot more time indoors during this season. And so many people suffer from allergies caused by mites or their own pets.
People who suffer from pollen allergies are also in the biggest danger of having winter allergies. “The range of allergens that an allergic person is sensitive to usually widens throughout their life. To demonstrate, roughly 20 to 30 percent of Czech people suffer from allergic rhinitis. Although in most cases it is rhinitis caused by pollen, there is also an estimated 20 percent of Czechs who are hypersensitive to mites,” says Martin Hospodka, MD, allergologist at the Canadian Medical Clinic.
Allergen immunotherapy
Mites have been living with people for ages. They thrive in a warm and humid environment, and they feed on dead skin shed by humans. Although there are many different recommendations on how to lower the “mite load” in a household, implementing them is usually complicated and results are not always certain. “We now have access to data that has undeniably disproved the previously claimed miraculous effects of powerful vacuums, anti-mite coating, and air purifiers in alleviating mite allergies,” says Martin Hospodka, and goes on to explain that while an air purifier may reduce the number of pollen and mold allergens in the air, it is not at all sufficient to counteract other types of allergies.
The only available cure that targets the actual cause of the illness is allergen immunotherapy. “It is a method that is very effective at gradually bringing back the organism's tolerance to the allergen. There is now a newly approved mite tablet used for allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma, but it is currently only indicated for the adult population,” points out Dr. Hospodka.
The effect of this lyophilized tablet is completely on par with currently used injectable formulations. It is administered under the tongue, where it dissolves in a matter of seconds, and the patient can go back to eating and drinking within five minutes. If used in the right indication, the only possible side effect is a slight irritation of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, which usually dissipates throughout the first month of use.
Opening windows and going outdoors
Staying at home for extended periods of time during the colder months can also cause issues for people hypersensitive to mold. Mold is dependent on air humidity and having a source of carbon close by, that is why it is important to frequently open windows and keep a lower relative humidity, as well as to sanitize any surface contaminated by the mold. “Mold will have a harder time of it if you avoid wood, drywall, pasteboard, wallpaper, and all sorts of rugs when furnishing your home. Conversely, their growth can be exacerbated by frequent use of air humidifiers,” points out Martin Hospodka.
People who suffer from pet allergies get worse during the winter months, too. “They usually suffer from symptoms throughout the entire year, but we can see their condition worsening during the colder time of year,” admits Dr. Hospodka, and goes on to add that walks outside during winter can help people with mite, pet, or mold allergies as there they are less exposed to these types of allergens. “If the allergy is not properly under control, however, cold air or exercise can trigger serious health issues. This applies primarily to allergic asthma,” he warns at the same time. What is more, being out in the cold can trigger further allergies in some people. “The most serious form of cold allergy is cold urticaria, which can even result in anaphylactic shock. I recommend properly investigating excessive reactions to cold prior to initiating treatment in order to exclude any potentially related diseases that have not been previously diagnosed,” says Dr. Hospodka.
Component-resolved diagnostics
People will often find out that they have allergies through their own observation. “Our clients usually already know what they are allergic to. They come to us to confirm their hypothesis and discuss possible treatment options. We are capable of investigating hypersensitivity to any given allergen in our office. The simplest – as well as usually the most reliable – method is skin testing. All we need is the patient, allergen extracts, and 15 minutes of the time of everyone involved,” says allergologist Martin Hospodka to explain how quickly testing can be done. “We can also make use of component-resolved diagnostics, which we use at our clinic in cooperation with EUC Laboratories, and which can very clearly distinguish the type of reaction,” he adds.
Component-resolved diagnostics can identify over 51 different allergens, be they food or inhalant ones, and a wide array of subsequent components from a minute amount of blood (roughly two drops).
EXPERT
Martin Hospodka, MD, is an allergologist and clinical immunologist at Canadian Medical.
He is a Faculty of Medicine Charles University graduate, with postgraduate certification in allergology and clinical immunology.
e has completed specialization programs in pulmonary function testing in children, pulmonary function testing in adults, and epicutaneous testing.
How allergies come to be
Genetics plays an important role. Allergies are hereditary, and the extent to which they manifest depends on the environment. “During frequent contact with allergens, the organism starts to have a very excessive reaction to them after some time. This usually manifests in places where the allergen comes into contact with the body, specifically skin and mucous membranes,” explains Dr. Hospodka. Skin issues may be related to food allergies. Allergies often start with atopic eczema. “If your skin is damaged, you run the risk of eventually becoming allergic to your dog at home, or the mites that are all around us,” warns Martin Hospodka. Allergies can manifest at any age. But the majority of them start in children, while some may “grow out” of their allergies eventually. That means that they are still hypersensitive down the line, but the hypersensitivity does not result in allergic reactions. This phenomenon has garnered a lot of interest from researchers. Finding an explanation for it could mean a breakthrough in treatments for people who suffer from allergies even during adulthood.
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