Handling the Holidays

Do asthma and allergies threaten to be the Grinch in your holidays? The doctors at Allergy & Asthma Clinics of Ohio offer these tips to help keep your season merry:

	The holidays are filled with hustle and bustle, but stress can trigger an asthma attack. Shop early or late in the day to avoid crowds. If "quiet time" is not part of your normal routine, now is the time to start.
	Fires burning in the hearth may bring warmth and ambiance to a holiday gathering. But, the smoke and ash can provoke breathing difficulties or trigger an asthma attack. If you are attending a holiday gathering, ask your host to keep the Yule Log unlit.
	Prepare for visits to homes with pets by taking your allergy or asthma medication prior to your visit. The medication may help reduce your reaction. You can also ask your party hosts to keep their animals in a separate room.
	Food is often a central fixture in holiday gatherings. Remember that homemade items don’t always have ingredient lists. If you or your child has food allergies, be cautious, especially around homemade treats. Foods can also become tainted through cross-contamination in kitchen or in food storage containers. Even a trace amount of a food can trigger an allergic or asthmatic reaction.

Did you know?

Avoid or reduce allergic reactions to dust and pet dander by bringing your own allergen-proof pillow when staying overnight with family or at a hotel.

Clean dust from artificial Christmas trees and other holiday decorations BEFORE displaying. Remember that glass, metal and plastic decorations are easier to keep dust free than soft, fabric ones.

If you have food allergies, ask about ingredients BEFORE eating homemade goodies. Better yet, avoid foods which might have been in contact with other ingredients in the baker’s kitchen.

To the Point:

Some individuals can be allergic to Christmas Trees. Reduce your reaction by shaking your tree thoroughly. Many tree vendors have a machine that can do this. Allowing your Christmas tree to dry for a few days in a covered area before bringing it indoors may also reduce you reaction.

Read more about allergies by visiting some of the websites on our links page.