Every time I get near a Christmas tree I start sneezing. To many people, it s a surprise that the actual Christmas tree is not the allergen causing sneezing and watery eyes. Many trees are cut, sprayed and stored in a warehouse for several months, which causes mold and other allergens to accumulate on the tree. It s usually these allergens that cause an allergic reaction. When buying a Christmas tree, it s important to get one that s freshly cut, so that allergens don t have time to accumulate on it.
Winter is on the way, and with it skiing, ice skating and other winter sports.
Such activities are challenging on their own but when cold air is added to the situation they can be even more challenging to a person with asthma, causing increased wheezing and coughing. When exercising, most people breathe mainly through the mouth bypassing the nose which is responsible for warming the air we inhale. The combination of winter s cold air and the body s warm temperature irritates the airways, making it more difficult to breathe, especially for those with asthma. When exercising this winter, people with asthma should pre-treat using an inhaler, and wear a scarf to help warm the air before breathing it in. However, before changing a medical routine, consult a physician.