To most of us, Christmas is a time for celebration and joy. However, for those prone to allergies, enjoying this holiday season can be a challenge as Christmas can be full of hidden dangers. The innocent beautiful Christmas tree or the tempting Christmas pudding may be potential allergy triggers. However, if you or your child is prone to allergies, it does not mean that you cannot enjoy Christmas like others. You can definitely enjoy this once a year celebration if you are armed with knowledge of these potential triggers and take a little precaution.Here are some common, but seemly innocent allergy triggers:

1) Christmas tree and decorative items

While many of us look forward to a warm glowing presence of a live Christmas tree in the house, the tree can be a potential allergy trigger for some. One of the reason being a live tree may carry pollen cause pollen allergy for those who are prone. However, according to Dr. Pamela Georgeson, an allergist with the Kenwood Allergy and Asthma Center in Chesterfield Township, Michigan, and a spokesperson for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), mold is the true allergy trigger in a cut tree. “Most trees are cut in October and stored, so they have a lot of mold from being out in the rain and slush, and mold can be a trigger for allergies and asthma,” Georgeson explains.

The actual tree itself is rarely a potential allergy risk. Therefore, before bringing the tree into the house, spray it down with a good hose and let it dry. This should get rid of molds and pollens. You’ll also want to shake and dry out live wreaths and other greenery you might use for decoration.
If a live tree is a potential danger, it is suggested to use an artificial tree instead. This may be a solution. However, if the artificial tree is not stored properly, it can be a potential source of mold and dust as well. Not to mention this can be the perfect breeding ground for house mites which is another potent allergens. Before usage, the tree should be wash with hot soapy water and properly dried before being assembled. As for the decorative items, properly wipe down plastic, tin, glass ornaments to get rid of the dust. Fabric decorations are particularly hazardous so it is important to wash them in hot, soapy water before displaying.

When spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, be sure to follow directions. These sprays can irritate your lungs if you inhale them.

2)Food Allergies

The holiday season is especially dangerous for those with food allergies. With all the good food, it is easy to over eat. But for those who are prone to allergies, they can end up with more than indigestion. Because it takes only a tiny amount of the offending food to trigger a potentially dangerous reaction, those with food allergies should exercise caution during the Holidays.

If you are visiting, there is not much you can do but to avoid all types of food which are potentially dangerous. You can check with the host for the ingredients used if you are not sure. Look out for the hidden ingredients which can potentially allergenic such as nuts, cheese powder, oils, eggs, gluten and wheat. Offending food allergens can easily be hidden in holiday baked goods, eggnog, fruitcake, dips, quiches, salads, and some salad dressings.

Some holiday foods may contain additives such as a type of chemicals called sulfites which is commonly used as a preservative. Sulfites is usually present in alcoholic beverages, bottled or canned sauces, dips such as guacamole or onion dip, dried fruit, and green vegetables. Sulfites is extremely dangerous to those who are sensitive to food additives, in some cases, it can even be fatal. Thanks to food labelling law, now all prepared foods must be labeled if they contain sulfites.

Although avoidance is the best way to handle food allergies, it may not always be possible. “The biggest piece of advice is to make sure you have your medicines with you wherever you are,” says Georgeson. “And if you have an allergy, alert the person who you’re visiting, so you can enjoy a safe holiday.”

The best way to prevent food allergies for you or your family is to prepare the Christmas goodies yourself. It takes some effort, but it is well worth it to know that you or your child will not unknowingly expose to any potential allergy triggers. Identify your allergies and prepare the food accordingly. However, if anyone in the family is allergic to wheat, daily, eggs and nuts, the biggest allergy culprits, preparing the traditional Christmas goodies can be quite a challenge.

If you are stuck with ideas to prepare your Christmas meals, there are quite a number of good resources in the market. One of the great recipe books is What to eat: The Milk-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free Food Allergy Cookbook. It offers great ideas for allergy-free holiday recipes. One of our family favorites is The Chocolate Layer Cake. This “allergy cake recipe” is one of the best I have found. The cake has the taste and moist texture of a regular chocolate cake. Another wonderful allergy recipe book, The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook: Two Hundred Gourmet & Homestyle Recipes for the Food Allergic Family, has many delicious recipes without any of the top eight allergens, ie. dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or shellfish and also refined sugar! With these recipe books, you will not be out of ideas for your Christmas preparation! Click here for more allergy free recipe books.

3)Scented Candles

Scented candles are popular during Christmas as its scent add to the warmth and glow of the joyous spirit. However, scented candles are bad new to those prone to airborne allergens. It is found that burning candles indoor can create harmful soot and other by-products, such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) which can be harmful to our health even if we are not allergy prone. For those who are asthmatic, scented candles and other holiday fragrances should be avoided. You can read more about the hazards of burning candles here: http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/faqs/godishcandles.shtml

4)Potpourri

Beside scented candles, potpourri is a popular item in most households. Even though potpourri is great for freshening up the house, it is a common allergy trigger especially for people who are sensitive to floral odors and mold spores that comes from the dried leaves and flower petals.

Fortunately, there is a solution if you really love to have potpourri in your house. Instead of using dried flowers, petals, buds and leaves, you can use safer alternatives such as cinnamon, cloves, star anise, with vanilla and peppermint flavoring.

5) Low Humidity

The Christmas season can be especially challenging for those with respiratory problems caused by the dried winter air and low humidity created artificial heating systems such as heater and wood stoves. Low humidity can be solved by having a good air humidifier in the house. The humidifier must be regularly maintained to prevent mold and bacteria growth. I like the idea of having both purifiers and humidifier in one machine, and Air-O-Swiss 2071 HEPA Air Purifier and Humidifier does the job wonderfully.

Alternatively, you can retain an inch of fresh water in the sink or bath tubs, or boil a pot of water on the stove. It is important to keep your body moist by regularly drinking water. To prevent dry, scaly skin in eczema and psoriasis sufferers, use Burt’s Bees Carrot Seed Oil Complexion Mist For Dry Skin Keey yourself hydrated so that your lungs will not become so dry that you are susceptible to sinus, headaches and lung infections.

Try to avoid drinking coffee and alcohol. These beverages have a diuretic affect and may actually remove water from your system. Increase your intake of plain water and juices instead.

6) Wood Burning Stoves and Fireplaces

Although the thought of having a nice fireplace burning nicely during the holiday season is really attractive, it may not be a good idea if you are prone to allergies, especially if you have asthma. The burning fire emits smoke which can irritate the respiratory tract as well as contains particles which are potential allergens. Moreover, there is also the possibility that mold may be present in the dried fire wood which can be a potential hazard. Some persons allergic to tree pollen may also be allergic to the wood and suffer symptoms when it is burned. The person with allergies should not be in the room if a fire is being built.

7) Latex Balloons

Balloons are a must have for Christmas parties and celebrations. They can really lighten up the festive spirit; moreover, kids love them! However, many might not know that balloons are a potential allergy trigger and can really spoil the party for anyone who is prone to latex allergy.

Lately, latex allergy has become more common. As seemingly innocent as it sounds, latex allergy is known to trigger a life-threatening reaction called anaphylactic shock, which is the most severe type of allergic reaction. Anyone who is sensitive to latex has to be extremely careful to avoid any contact with decorative balloons.

A safer alternative is mylar balloons. Mylar balloons is becoming a more popular choice over latex balloons as it is more colorful with various prints and designs. Take a look at these popular kids’ choice mylar balloons.

In conclusion, Christmas can be a joyous and special occasion even for those with allergies. All it takes is a little precaution and awareness. In the next section, we are going to go over some tips in preparing Christmas goodies to those who are prone to food allergies.Watch out for the next segment on more ideas for preparing Christmas Goodies for those with food allergies.