Festive Asthma Triggers: What to Watch Out for This Holiday Season

Tidings of comfort and joy to you and yours! We hope this holiday season is full of food and fun, and free of asthma attacks. With that in mind, here are a few asthma triggers specific to the season to watch out for.

1. Dusty Decorations

   Many people like to store their holiday decorations in the attic or closet so it can collect a year’s worth of dust before being brought back out again. To reduce any asthma issues, give those storage containers a good dusting and wash off the decorations that can get wet.

2. Christmas Trees

   In addition to covering your carpet in prickly pine needles, Christmas trees are an excellent way to bring outdoor mold and pollen into your home. But fear not; simply wiping the tree down with a damp washcloth will remove much of the allergens.

3. Relatives

   Respiratory illnesses run rampant during the cold of winter, and relatives can bring strains from all across the country home to you. So while hosting or attending parties and visiting loved ones be sure to wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your face.

4. Roaring Fireplaces

   One of the highlights of the cold is the chance to cuddle up in front of cozy fire. However, fireplaces release some smoke into your house and can trigger asthma. If you or a loved one is sensitive to smoke, in this case it may simply be best to do without the fire and crank up the heater instead.

5. Cold

   The cold itself can trigger asthma by drying out the lungs and making one’s chest tighten. Scarfs provide a simple solution. As you breathe out, the cloth catches moisture. Then when you breathe back in, that moisture warms the air you breathe and keeps it moist.