One of the most common Christmas allergens is mold. This can be found in everything from the decorations to the food. If one is allergic to mold, it’s important to take precautions to avoid coming into contact with it. Be sure to keep houses clean and free of any mold spores, and avoid eating any food that may be contaminated.
Another common Christmas allergen is dust. Dust mites are present year-round, but they tend to be more active during this time of year because of the increased activity around the house, including having more people over for parties and hosting guests. If one suffers from an allergy to these tiny particles that live in the mattresses, pillows, carpets, and other soft materials around the house, try to vacuum regularly. Piles of clean sheets or clothes can also be a breeding ground for these allergens, so people should change their beddings often during this season.
Christmas trees are beautiful and truly part of the holiday spirit, but we’re guessing that few people enjoy the itchy eyes and runny nose that come along with having one in the house. If one is allergic to pine trees, one can do a few things to minimize exposure. Try keeping the tree in the living room or another room where people spend the least amount of time, and make sure to keep it well-watered so that the needles don’t release too much pollen. People can also buy an artificial tree or go for a Colorado blue spruce or Eastern white pine, which are two of the least allergenic varieties of Christmas trees.
Finally, one of the most common allergens at Christmastime is food. Many people who are allergic to nuts, dairy, gluten, seafood tend to have a hard time during this part of the year because so many of the foods that people love and give as gifts contain one or more of these ingredients. Educating friends and family on which foods they can and cannot eat is best to avoid an allergy attack.
Christmas dinner is arguably one of the most important meals of the year, but it can be a bit of a challenge for people with food allergies. When hosting a Christmas dinner, be sure to include plenty of dishes that everyone will enjoy. This might mean foregoing your traditional roast turkey in favor of something like ham or lamb. Also, when bringing a dish to someone else’s celebration, make sure to double-check that it doesn’t contain any of their allergens.
