Many are used to the sneezing, the coughing, and the stuffy noses that come with winter. It’s enough to make anyone say “Bah humbug!” But you don’t have to resign yourself to the sniffles this holiday seasons. But by avoiding unexpected winter allergen triggers, you can ensure that your allergies don’t ruin your Christmas cheer.
Christmas sweaters
A beloved holiday tradition, people love to bust out the tacky Christmas sweaters emblazoned with pictures of snowflakes and reindeer as soon as it starts to get cold out. But most of these sweaters contain wool, which contains lanolin. Lanolin is a natural oil found in wool and is a common cause of wool allergy. A wool allergy can result in nasal symptoms and eye irritation, which can make it difficult to stay jolly during the holidays.
Christmas trees
While you may want a real Christmas tree, it may be wise to stick with a fake tree. Real trees can contain tiny mold spores, which can lead to allergic reactions. A study conducted Dr. Lawrence Kurlandsky found 53 different types of mold between 23 trees. If your Christmas spirit is just too strong and you insist on a real tree, make sure to thoroughly wash the tree before bringing it into the house.
Christmas decorations
When your stockings aren’t hung by the chimney with care, they’re probably sitting in storage collecting dust. When you break out your Christmas decorations, make sure to clean them off outside to get rid of any lingering dust.
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.