Seasonal advice, treatment and prevention
Allergy Adviser - Seasonal Update  WINTER
Limiting Exposure to Allergens in the Home 
Prevention of Allergy and Asthma in Children
Treatment of Allergy and Asthma
Skin Testing and Allergy Injection Treatment
Inhalers for Asthma
Spacers for Asthma Inhalers
Inhalers for Rhinitis
Tricks for - children to swallow pills
                  - eye drops
Mexican Medications

Allergy Adviser for Southern Arizona*

Winter
December 22 - March 19.  

*and the Greater Phoenix area.  For specific information on weather in the Tucson area  and the Phoenix area  see the National Weather Service site.
What's Blooming    Over the next 3 months, pollen counts are low.  The pre-dawn temperatures in Tucson and Phoenix often fall to below freezing, and as in early 2011, a "hard freeze" may occur occasionally.  Few plants flower at this time of the year.  Plants that contribute to the pollen count, in order of importance are:

Sagebrush
Juniper/Cypress
Ash
Cottonwood
African Sumac (Rhus lancea)
Sunflower family

Mold Spores 

• Atmospheric mold counts decrease in December and are low in January and February

Outdoor Pollution 

• Temperature inversions in the winter increase air pollution,  particularly from nitrogen dioxide and particulates.

Indoor Environment 

• Allergen levels can increase indoors during the winter after the evaporative cooler is switched off and the doors and windows are kept closed.  Low humidity can predispose to nasal crusting, nasal stuffiness, nose bleeds and dry itchy skin.

Seasonal Disease 

• Viral respiratory infections that are common in fall and winter increase the frequency of attacks of asthma and sinusitis.  Dry air may also increase the severity of nasal congestion in patients with chronic rhinitis.  Daily use of moisturizing lotions can help to control skin itching that is common in winter. 

Recommendations 

• Take your prescribed asthma medications, particularly if anti-inflammatory preventive medicines have been prescribed for regular daily use.
• If you have asthma, know how to get in touch with your physician in an emergency.
• If your asthma is moderately severe, ask your physician for a supply of prednisone tablets to keep on hand in case of a sudden attack of asthma that might need immediate treatment.
• If you have nasal congestion at night, consider obtaining a cool mist humidifier for the bedroom to keep the humidity above 35% (measured with  a hygrometer) .  A humidifier with a 6-11 gal capacity is recommended.   Keep it clean and free of mold growth.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema) may need more frequent use of moisturizing creams and topical steroid medication, because it is usually worse in the dry conditions of winter.  
• For control of indoor allergens at any time of the year, see Limiting Exposure to Allergens in the Home.

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Disclaimer:   This site is for educational purposes only.  Any information that you have found in this web site is not intended to replace medical care or advice given to you by your own physicians. You should consider consulting your local medical library and other web sites for additional information. 

Comments and suggestions welcome!   Email: schumach@u.arizona.edu
Content Owner:  Michael J. Schumacher, MB, FRACP, The University of Arizona
Updated 12/2011