Guest Author - Amy Anaruk

Edited for additional information December 5, 2007.

Anytime you have lots of excitement, new environments, crowds of people, and cold temperatures, you�ve got the perfect recipe for increased asthma attacks. Everything from the stress of busier schedules (I have been to 3 holiday performances already, and I only have 2 kids) to the colds and viruses that attack during the winter can trigger asthma during the Thanksgiving/Hanukkah/Christmas/New Year's season. Plenty of triggers are beyond our control, unless you've figured out how to keep kids from getting overly excited or how to let your relatives come visit without bringing along any extra germs. You can, however, control some of the more problematic parts of your environment.

Fireplaces
People like me tend to use their fireplaces more often during the winter holidays, and woodburning ones like mine can cause big problems for asthmatics because of the particles in wood smoke. Here's how to eliminate the impact:

--Burn infrequently, and definitely never use a woodburning fireplace as your main heat source.

--Always keep the fireplace doors shut to reduce the amount of airborne particles in your home.

--Always burn dry, seasoned wood.

--For future winters, consider investing in an EPA liner or renovating your fireplace into one that uses natural gas, both of which will make your fires cleaner and more efficient.

Candles
Natural beeswax or soy candles have the reputation of being cleaner than the much-more-common paraffin wax ones because paraffin is a petroleum by-product. However, no conclusive evidence supports this belief. All candles can produce soot, even the natural ones, although the amount is small. The larger problem is possible allergens or irritants within the candle.

--Although the small amount of soot produced has not been proven to provoke flares, keep the amount of smoke to a minimum always making sure the wick is trimmed to 1/4 inch before burning.

--Only burn candles in areas free from drafts to further reduce soot.

--If there is any chance at all of unknown allergens or triggers, do NOT burn scented candles. Most contain a combination of natural and synthetic fragrances, and these can trigger flares in sensitive people much the way perfume and cologne can.

--As of 2003, the U.S. no longer allows manufacture of candles with lead-core wicks since burning them releases lead into the air, but not all countries have similar bans. Always read your labels.

The Christmas Tree
People who are allergic to their Christmas balsams, spruces, and firs likely already know it, but new research indicates mold might be a problem for asthmatics, too. A Connecticut allergist (see the previous link) found mold spores in an apartment with a live tree increased from 800 per cubic meter to 5,000 spores per cubic meter at the end of two weeks.

This is just one study, but an allergist in the story recommends spraying off your live or artificial tree with a hose and letting it dry completely before bringing it inside if you think it might bother your allergies and/or asthma. This step eliminates the dust, pollen, or mold that could be sticking to its needles.

Check back here in the next several weeks for more tips and articles on dealing with asthma during the holiday season.


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"Smile, breathe and go slowly." -Thich Nhat Hanh


This article is not written by a medical professional, and information on this page should never be substituted for your physician's advice. If you have any questions about your asthma and/or allergies, you should always contact your physician first.