8 steps to avoid ''allergic'' holidays

December 30, 2014  21:17

New Year is a wonderful time to gather with relatives and friends. However, few remember that holiday parties with their varieties of foods can harm our organism. Specialists advise to be more careful in case of food and beverage, especially when you have some kind of disease. Allergic patients are not an exception, as holiday parties can exacerbate allergic problems, Fox News reports.  So, to avoid those problems, you should follow some useful advices.

1. Wipe down your tree

If your Christmas tree is a live tree, wipe down and dry it before bringing home. It can release mold spores into your home within days of its presence. Dozens of different molds may be present on a live tree, and spore counts indoors can rise to six times the normal indoor level. So, if you are sensitive to molds, keep your tree less than a week.

2. Go scent-free

Strong fragrances found in potpourri, scented candles and a variety of decorations can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and respiratory passages, especially if you are an allergic person. Try using flowers and decorations that are less likely to have heavy scents.

3. Buy house plants

Researchers have found that certain house plants actually clean indoor air which is especially helpful during the winter months when windows are often kept closed. House plants can also help those with allergies and asthma. Aloe, English ivy, Chinese evergreen, bamboo palm and others keep indoor air clean.

4. Clean the air.

Central air purifiers can reduce indoor allergens such as cat dander and dog air, as well as as indoor pollutants from a burning stove or fireplace.

5. Be a label detective

Holiday foods and gifts can be very tempting, but they may create havoc if you have a food allergy. Be sure to read labels before eating or using something.

6. Don't get wet your home more

If you humidify your home, try to keep indoor humidity levels no higher than 40-50%.

7. Skip snow sprays

Avoid artificial ''snow sprays'' that may aggravate nasal and sinus passages, as well as asthma, in affected individuals.

8. Score decorations smartly

Clean tree ornaments and lights before attaching them to your tree, as they may be full of molds and dust, and always store them in a closed container keeping them away from children.

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