While the holiday season is known to be the most wonderful time of the year, those who suffer from allergies and asthma may beg to differ as holiday-related allergens can trigger serious reactions. Because our Atlanta allergists truly care about the health of you and your family, we have listed some helpful tips you may want to consider to avoid serious reactions:

Be Aware of What You Eat

Many individuals choose to attend potluck-style parties during the holidays. Of course, during these types of parties, guests are invited to bring their favorite dishes to share amongst other party-goers. While this can be fun and a great way to share favorite foods, it can be dangerous for those who suffer from serious allergies. For this reason, it is best to take the following actions:

• Ask the cook (of whatever dish you are about to consume) about the ingredients in the dish
• Eat only the foods you prepare and bring to the party

Choose (and Care for) Your Tree Wisely

For those who suffer from allergies, being near Christmas trees can lead to wheezing and sneezing. In most cases, these symptoms are not actually triggered by the trees themselves but by the molds that grow on these trees. For this reason, people with allergies or asthma should consider purchasing an artificial Christmas tree for their home. Should a person with allergies choose to purchase a real tree, he or she should consider the following:

• Temporarily store the tree in the garage or yard before bringing it in the house
• Rinse off the tree with a garden hose and wipe the trunk with a solution made up of one part bleach to 20 parts water
• Let the tree dry in the sun
• Limit the amount of time the Christmas tree is in the home

Look Out for Other Triggers

While Christmas wreaths, air fresheners, potpourri, and Hanukkah candles may make the home smell great, these items can irritate a person’s lungs and nose, which can lead to wheezing and sneezing. For this reason, individuals with allergies should keep these items to a minimum in order to prevent unnecessary and serious allergic reactions.

Make Sure Your Chimney Works Properly

Making a fire during the holiday season can add the perfect touch to any setting. However, smoke can aggravate asthma and allergies. For this reason, it is important to ensure the chimney is working properly so smoke does not enter the room.

Suffering from Allergies this Holiday Season? Call Us Today.

If you or someone you love suffers from allergies or asthma-related problems, we urge you to contact our Atlanta allergists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia right away. We can examine your condition and determine which forms of treatment can benefit you most. Remember, the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin treating your symptoms. At our office, we understand that allergies can severely impose on any day, and that is why we are eager to help as soon as possible.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Let our team at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia make your holidays allergy-free! Call us today.