If you have asthma or other respiratory disorders, severe allergic reactions, or chemical sensitivity, take precautions to protect your health during the holiday seasons.
During the holiday season, we want to look our best. If you have respiratory problems, then you already know that a cosmetology salon is not a place for you. This is especially true this time of the year when they are crowded and the chemical overload in the air is likely to be at an extremely high level. At home, cut back on perfumes, colognes, fragrances and aftershaves. Just be aware that there is a potential problem here in crowded places and in department stores where free samples are offered.
Respiratory symptoms can result if the family sprays or cleans with evergreen or pine scent or uses incense or scented candles. It also follows that you should avoid giving items with irritants such as pine scents as presents to those whom you know or suspect to have a breathing problem. And a pine Christmas tree is a joy to millions of persons, but the smell of pine is a cause for an allergic or asthmatic reaction to millions of others. Be aware that this could be a problem for your family.
Studies have now shown that persons with asthma or even food allergies can have a clinical reaction just to the smell of a particular food. Big trouble foods this time of the year include nuts and nut roles, fruit cakes, shellfish, and products containing eggs. The amount of time we are exposed to an irritant is called “contact time” or “exposure time”. The longer the contact time, the worse the exposure. Exposure to irritants includes the time we breathe in smoke from cigarettes, fireplaces, automobile and diesel exhaust, as well as odors and particles of foods. Exposure time also includes inhaling allergens released from our pets. Be conscious of reducing your exposure time to allergens.
Many persons have already turned on the central heaters and noticed the smell. You don’t have to live with it. Most of this is dirt and particles that accumulated on the unit itself that have to be burned off. If you haven’t started your heater yet open a few windows until the smell goes away.
HOLIDAY STRESS
In terms of challenge for the lungs and subsequent absorption into the blood of potentially harmful gases, we need to be more careful now since we have no real control over our environment once we are outside the home. Cut back on the amount of time you spend shopping. This will cut back the amount of time we spend hanging around the new clothing, or furniture, and especially video stores and electronic stores. This is where formaldehyde and other chemicals are used for permanent press and fireproofing and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from plastics are emitted.
Formaldehyde is a sharp smelling irritant. Typical symptoms of exposure to formaldehyde include eye irritation, coughing and headaches. When shopping, remember that the video and electronic stores are noted for the presence of plastics in the air. The central walkways of malls is generally much less hazardous to breathe than that of the individual stores. If you are buying art supplies or hobby materials (planes or cars) for adults or children, be sure to ask for non-toxic glues, markers, and other supplies.
One last consideration: There are water base products that have been created by manufacturers in recent years in response to consumer pressure. They do not contain xylene, benzene, toluene or acetone. They are available upon request for most of your needs.
Cold weather is an asthma trigger. Some eighty-five percent of asthmatics have allergic asthma, which means that exposure to allergens, irritants and cold can be a recipe for disaster. If you fall into this category, cover your mouth and nose with a face mask or scarf when going outdoors, even a short distance. It doesn’t have to be this way if we can just practice slowing down to be more efficient.
If you avoid certain foods all year because you have food allergy, then they should not be eaten during the holidays. Big trouble foods this time of the year are nuts and nut roles, fruit cakes, shellfish and products containing eggs. It is tempting to try new foods when eating out or at the home of relatives or friends. If you have a problem with certain foods don’t be afraid to ask about something you don’t recognize. This could save you a lot of grief later.
Tags: allergens, allergy, environment, formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds
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