Avoiding Holiday Allergies

The holiday season brings large meals with the friends, cross-country trips to visit family, and pulling out the holiday decorations. Each one of these events has the potential to wreak havoc on those of us with allergies. From hidden ingredients in the fruitcake, Aunt Emma's long-haired cat, to mold on the Christmas tree, allergens are everywhere this holiday season waiting to make you miserable.

However, just a few precautions can make this potentially dangerous time more enjoyable for all. First, make sure you take more than enough allergy and asthma medication with you on trips, in case you stay longer than expected. If you have a significant pet allergy, staying with that relative with indoor dogs and cats may not be the best idea; stay the night at a local hotel instead. Next, ensure family is aware of your food allergies before they prepare dishes to bring to a large gathering; make sure you have your Epi-Pen handy (just in case). Lastly, hose down and throughly dry any fresh fir trees that you plan to bring indoors; better yet, use an artificial tree to decorate inside.

Learn more on how to make your holiday season allergy-free:

• Food Allergy Basics
• Indoor Allergen Avoidance
• Pet Allergies