Stress isn't the only asthma trigger encountered during the holidays. Allergies to Christmas trees, perfumes and other fragrances , cigarette smoke , sudden changes in temperature and humidity can all play a part in setting off asthma symptoms. If avoidance is impossible or you're simply taken by surprise, make sure you have you rescue medications close at hand. So make sure your Rescue Inhaler is full and the expiration date hasn't passed. You should also ask your physician about pretreating if you know you're going to be exposed to known triggers.
Food allergies can be a hidden asthma trigger.
When in doubt, be sure to ask what the ingredients might be and how the dish was prepared. While your visiting Aunt might not be too willing to fill you in on her culinary secrets, this can help prevent a holiday visit to the Emergency Department. Be sure to take added caution in eating foods that have been sitting out on the table or counter for several hours, some food can spoil quickly or allow bacterial growth in a short amount of time. An upper respiratory infection can ruin the holidays in short order, so precautions are important. Avoiding people with respiratory infections and diligent handwashing is most effective in avoiding this asthma trigger.