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Tips to Alleviate Winter Allergy Woes

NEWS RELEASE — December 11, 2007

BUFFALO, NY — People typically think of spring and fall as the most allergy-inducing seasons due to triggers like pollen and ragweed, but winter can host a surprising number of allergens— most of which are found indoors. Not only winter, but also the holiday season, tends to create opportunities for allergies to flare up in the millions of Americans who suffer from them.

“It’s a common misperception that people are allergic to Christmas trees. It is actually the mold spores that are found on evergreens that are the allergens,” says Dr. Mark Perry, FAAP, board-certified pediatrician with Lifetime Health Medical Group.

According to a study from St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Connecticut, mold spore counts soar to more than five times the normal level over a period of two weeks when a live tree is brought indoors.

Other common winter allergy triggers are dust or mold found on seasonal items that have been in storage and food included in holiday celebrations.

Perry notes recommendations from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to keep winter allergies at bay:

• Store live trees it in the garage or an enclosed porch for about a week to let them dry out, while keeping the trunk in a bucket of water. Shaking out your tree can also physically remove some allergens, and this service may be available at the tree farm.
• Clean any decorations that have been in storage before using. This includes artificial trees, which are subject to dust and mold.
• Use caution with artificial snow sprays. They can irritate your lungs if inhaled.
• Dust mites can be a problem during holiday travel. Take your own pillow with an allergen-proof cover.
• Make sure the host of any holiday party you attend is aware of your food allergies beforehand. It is also a good idea to carry self-injectable epinephrine (EPI pen) in case you accidentally eat or come in contact with a food to which you are allergic.
• Use metal, plastic or glass decorations that cannot harbor dust mites.
• Wash fabric decorations in hot, soapy water.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America also has tips:

• Check humidity in your home when the heat is on, as mold can flourish if humidity indoors is too high. Keep indoor humidity below 50 percent.
• To avoid accumulation of mold outside the windows and doors of your home, remove wet dirt and leaves from the house’s gutters and foundation.
• Some evergreen trees, such as cedar and junipers, may pollinate even in winter. Use a leaf blower (in a well-ventilated area outside the house) to remove visible pollen before bringing the tree inside.
• For any kind of live evergreen tree, you can wipe the trunk thoroughly with a solution of warm water and diluted bleach (1 part bleach: 20 parts water) to get rid of mold.

“Following these tips can help families and children who suffer from allergies relax and enjoy the holiday season,” says Perry. “Of course, families whose children have allergies or asthma should always make a plan for prevention and treatment with their pediatrician.”

For more information about allergies and asthma, visit www.aaaai.org or www.aafa.org. Visit the pediatrics or family medicine web pages for more information about those services in Lifetime's Buffalo region, or call 716/205-WELL.

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