Winter allergies

[maryalberts]

My two children are having allergy issues lately, especially in the evening. Mostly cough and scratchy throat. We live in cold Wisconsin but lately it's been warmer (in 20s & 30s) and some rain. Is this mild winter related to the allergy problem? Would a humidifier help?

[AllergyGuy]

Mary,

20's and 30's is still cold. Possibly they have colds? If it's rainy then the humidity is probably pretty high. You need to measure it in the house where the children are to determine if you need a humidifier or dehumidifier.

[maryalberts]

No, these are definitely not colds. It seems to happen more towards the evening, I can tell because one of my daughter's wakes up with swollen eyes. When I give them allergy medicine, it helps them.

[JD Carson]

If she is having the problem when she wakes up it could be a dust mite allergy. I know when we don't do the things we should like wash the shhet every Sunday my wife's eyes are all red and puffy when she gets up.

[thad99]

It could be that your children have developed an allergy to mold or mildew. If that is the case getting a humidifier would not help. In fact it would likely make it worse because humidifiers almost always have mold and mildew growing inside and then when they blow out the water vapors they also blow out mold and mildew. I would take them to a Dr and have them tested.