Have you had a Christmas trigger?

Hi all,

Sorry I know it's still October but we're looking for someone to talk to who has had their asthma triggered at Christmas?

You might have been triggered by a festive candle, one of your Christmas presents, pine cones, a new Christmas pet, a particular type of Christmas food e.g. Christmas pudding.

If that sounds like you and you'd happily talk to our media team and share your story, PM me, or drop me a line at [e-mail]

Thanks,

Dita

[MMBJI]

Yes, Christmas is always tricky. As a child I would get too excited on the run up and triggered asthma attacks several years in a row. I worked out for myself what was happening and so learnt to kerb my feelings. The decorations are dust traps and their presence prevents the thorough weekly vacuuming of all surfaces which is an invaluable part of my asthma control. So we don’t put our trimmings up until Christmas Eve, having super vacuumed the whole house first. When we take the decorations down they are vacuumed/ dust shaken out before being packed away. My Mother-in Law used to have cats, I still react to her house and it’s contents. So all the gifts from her are unwrapped outside or by the back door and have to be washed/wiped down with dettol wipes to help minimise the release of allergens from her house. (Obviously she has no idea about this and refuses to accept or understand that there can still be essence of cat in her house - that is a whole other story......) Just realised I am going on a bit, you only wanted to know if Christmas had been a trigger. So, yes it is!

[Emily-G]

For me Christmas seems to be a very big trigger and I have a January of steroids and recovery. Last week a very good friend said to me ' have you worked out what you are going to do about Christmas?' I react to the decorations going up and down, perfumed visitors and visiting, festive food (even being very careful there seems to always be something). Santa visits, Santa trains and reindeer. Present opening can be tricky if there is a surprise trigger inside. I avoid Christmas nights out and reacted badly to dry ice when I saw my niece in panto. I could go on and on to be honest. I think as well all the stress and rushing about doesn't help. It's tricky when you don't want to let down loved ones and you are trying to make it magical for kids.

Xxx

[Asthma-girl]

Yes Christmas can be a trigger for me too.

I can not have a real Christmas trees’ because the fragrance of them triggers my asthma, I manage to avoid this by having an artificial tree.

[Emily-G in reply to Asthma-girl]

I forgot about the Christmas tree - I have mine outside xxx

[Beader3]

I've prob been asthmatic for years, but last year was terrible, & im being actively treated for uncontrolled asthma now.

Fake tree. Careful always. No scented pine cone, etc....

stopped to pick up friends for eve out viewing Christmas light displays. Inside their home, 3-5 min. Horribly ill for 3mo.; ....then Spring allergies kicked in....; .....then Summer allergies;, ....a couple colds/virus over summer, skipped vacation cause no energy to pack anything.; and an early Autumn of forest fires in our state....; another cold/virus & now being treated for Uncontrolled Asthma. I'm dreading Christmas....