‘Tis the Season for Asthma and Allergy Flare-ups. While “seasonal allergies” usually refers to the hay fever many people experience during the spring and summer, the holiday season can also be a difficult time for asthma and allergy sufferers. Thanks to all the time spent indoors with the windows closed, allergens and asthma triggers can accumulate in the home and cause severe reactions. The American Academy of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology (AAAAI) has compiled the following tips to help keep your allergies and asthma under control this holiday season:

• When attending holiday parties or family gatherings, inform the host about your food allergy and ask about the ingredients used to prepare the meal.
• Carry an auto-injectable dose of epinephrine when attending a holiday party where unrecognized food allergens could be hiding. Homemade items do not have ingredient lists and could be contaminated with trace amounts of allergenic foods through contact with storage containers or kitchen utensils.
• If visiting relatives' homes who own pets, take your allergy medication before arriving in order to minimize a possible reaction.
• Evergreens often carry microscopic mold spores. You might think you are allergic to your Christmas tree, but it is likely that it is the mold spores that are causing those allergy or asthma symptoms.
• Clean decorations and artificial trees outside before decorating. They can gather mold and dust while in storage. Wash fabric decorations in hot, soapy water before displaying them to remove mold and dust.
• When spraying artificial snow on windows or other surfaces, be sure to follow directions. These sprays can irritate your lungs if you inhale them.
• The holidays can be a stressful time of year. Pay attention to your stress level, which can sometimes lead to an asthma attack. Deep breathing and relaxation can help.
• Take along your own pillow with an allergen-proof cover and request down-free pillows if staying in a hotel or at a relative's house. Dust mites can be especially troublesome if traveling away from home.
• Ask your relatives and friends to avoid burning wood in the fireplace. The smoke can trigger an asthma attack.

If you are taking asthma medication but are still experiencing asthma or allergy symptoms or if you find yourself needing to use your fast-acting inhaler more often, your asthma may not be under control. Medications are available that may help manage your asthma symptoms better and allow you to lead a normal life. To find out how much you know about asthma control, take the Healia Asthma Quiz Challenge. To find out more about asthma control, read the Healia Uncontrolled Asthma Health Guide.

If you are not sure whether or not you have asthma or allergies, you can visit your family doctor or see an allergist/immunologist. An allergist is also a good source for education and guidance in techniques for managing allergies and asthma, such as making an asthma action plan. If your symptoms are not under control, consult with an allergist to discuss the treatment options that are available. To learn more about asthma, see the Healia Health Guide on Asthma. For more about allergies, read the Healia Health Guide on Allergies.

_{Source: AAAAI, www.aaaai.org}

_{Photo: *_filippo_*, Flickr, Creative Commons}