5 Tips To Enjoy Holiday Parties | Covenant Allergy and Asthma

Oh, the holidays! Can you believe we’ve made it to the end of 2017? It’s such a lovely and festive time of year, but it’s hard to thoroughly enjoy those gatherings when you’re bogged down by allergy and asthma symptoms like sniffling, sneezing and wheezing. A variety of allergens can make holiday parties challenging for the millions of children and adults with symptoms, but Covenant Allergy and Asthma has several tips to make the festivities more fun and less frustrating.

Talk to the party host.
Let your host know that you’ll be attending and alert them to any specific allergy triggers. Ask what they plan to serve and bring along a dish or two that you know you can safely enjoy.

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Be proactive about your meds.
The scents of the season are often allergy triggers, and most homes will not be entirely free of dust or dander. Take your antihistamine before you go to the party–your allergist can prescribe appropriate medication for you. If you have severe food allergies, always carry injectable epinephrine on your person.

Take on designated driver duty.
Staying sober will help you avoid a reaction to unknown ingredients in alcohol. It will also allow you to remain clear-headed so you make wiser decisions and take appropriate precautions.

Avoid the fireplace.
As fun and festive as it may be, fireplaces create smoke–a common asthma trigger. Trust us, your lungs will thank you for spending time in a different room.

Mind the greenery.
Christmas trees and other holiday greenery, like real Christmas trees and garlands can trigger some allergies. Avoid them as much as you can, and keep in mind that the artificial versions can easily collect dust. Poinsettias are a member of the rubber tree family, which means they should be avoided by those with latex allergy.

Go on the defense: You could exchange more than conversation during cocktail party banter. Flu germs are everywhere and the illness can worsen asthma. Play it safe by getting a seasonal flu shot.

How much do you know about winter allergies?

You really don’t have to let allergies or asthma symptoms steal your joy. This holiday season, make an appointment with Covenant Allergy and Asthma and let us create an updated treatment plan that works for you, or give us a call to discuss other treatment options such as acupuncture and allergy shots.