You might be surprised by just how many festive asthma triggers there are. From dusty decorations to some alcoholic drinks, strong emotions to food allergies, itβs a time of the year when people with asthma can be exposed to new challenges.
Christmas trees! Alcohol and dust and the loft (cause itβs so cold! π ). Strong βfestiveβ smells (esp in candles etc) and the foods which suddenly have egg added to make it nicer (icing, marshmallows and mash etc) and more meringues about too thrown into or onto desserts π.
Luckily I do ok with the smoke etc from coal fires but not so well with wood ones π . My lungs are fussy I think π€£
Oh ugh yes the Christmas stinks in garden centres....the OTT fake cinnamon/orange/spices whatever other things they use that are so overpowering! Like the Christmas version of people's "too much" perfume....why do people use so much?!
Last year my fake Christmas tree put me in resus. Funny as it sounds now, it was the dust. Lovely little party line now. Perfume or the bathing in it..just why? Smell of Christmas pine in spray bottles for fake trees, so strong. Citrus candles.
π±Oh no thats awful but actually not uncommon (dusty tree) and something we have heard on the helpline. What's your plan this year, or steering clear of the decs/tree?
Thanks for all your comments so far everyone - good to share these experiences, so everyone can be a bit cautious and have a safe christmas π
First plan was no tree, but I do love my tree. So my husband bless his cotton socks, banged every branch and dusted every column before bringing it in doors. He said " you wouldn't believe the dust and dirt" It takes me days to decorate so I'm not in that close environment too long. Really helped. π
Christmas or just any scented candles in garden centres do it for me, apart from making me wheeze they make my eyes water as well and my skin itch. Horrible. Fortunately because of covid Iβm not likely to be anywhere near people wearing strong perfume.
I have always bought a huge scented candle each Christmas to light in the hearth and leave burning. For the last two years canβt have a scented candle in the house.
Itβs odd, I like the smell of some things a lot I love hyacinths and lilies yet they are dreadful. At the moment the latest horrid smell is the hand gel they use in M&S it is very highly perfumed. Normally I have my own perfume free gel but I forgot today so I used theirs
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