It’s time to deck the halls, so here’s how to swerve any festive flare-ups
It’s meant to be the most wonderful time of the year, but if you suffer from coughing, sneezing or itching as soon as the Christmas cards start landing on your mat, you’re not alone. For over a third of Brits*, the festivities can trigger allergies, with many complaining of hay fever-like symptoms near the tree or breaking out in rashes around the decorations. Want to feel your best throughout the celebrations? Try these expert tips to stop the sniffles and scratching.
WATER THE TREE
It’s the seasonal showstopper for many living rooms, but US scientists** who analysed Christmas trees from a range of species found they contained over 50 different types of mould. Lessen your allergic reaction by giving your real tree a good watering-down outside. ‘Hose your tree before taking it into the house – this can help remove some of the mould and spores,’ says allergy expert Max Wiseberg from HayMax.
You could also pick a Leyland Cypress – this evergreen is known as a ‘sterile’ hybrid species, meaning it doesn’t produce allergy-aggravating pollen.
PICK PLANTS WITH CARE
With their pretty red leaves, poinsettias make a popular present, but as a latex-producing plant they can cause problems. Poinsettias come from the rubber tree family and the latex is found in the plant’s tissue – in fact, 40% of people with a rubber latex allergy were also allergic to poinsettias, found researchers from the Medical College of Georgia.
SWITCH YOUR CANDLES
Love lighting a scented candle to make your place feel festive? Cinnamon, orange, gingerbread and pine are popular picks, but synthetic home scents could cause sniffles. That’s because one in three people have fragrance sensitivity, according to research, with sufferers complaining of runny noses and itchy eyes.
‘Consider using LED ones instead,’ suggests Sonia Khan, senior pharmacist at Medicine Direct. ‘These can help to reduce allergies and asthma symptoms by not releasing gas or particles, but still create a cosy atmosphere.’ If you do prefer the real-flame effect, choose unscented, natural candles such as beeswax and soy.
LAYER UP IN KNITWEAR
Itching in your festive sweater? An allergy may be triggered by the lanolin in the wool. ‘As well as rashes, this can cause a runny nose and itchy eyes,’ says GP Dr Rosemary Leonard. Wear a long-sleeved T-shirt under jumpers and before buying new ones, rub them on your neck t
