Asthma is a 24/7 chronic condition that doesn’t stop for the holidays. In fact, asthma symptoms may be intensified at this time of year. I’m Dr. Maria Swetech and, in this post, I highlight asthma triggers that appear during winter travels and holiday fun and remind patients how to be cautious about exposure.
Know Your Asthma Triggers When You Travel
Asthma sufferers are encouraged to curate their home environment to protect themselves and eliminate elements that threaten to intensify this respiratory disorder. It’s impossible, though, to expect other people and places to maintain a space that will not trigger an asthma attack.
If you are traveling for the holidays, you are likely to encounter conditions that exacerbate the chronic inflammation of your airways, such as:
- Carpeting: Homes with wall-to-wall carpeting create a greater likelihood of dust mites and other allergens.
- Pets: The presence of an animal means pet dander and all it contains (even if that cute guy is hypoallergenic).
- Moisture: Moisture and mold can trigger an asthma attack, especially if you’re spending time in an area with muggy, wet, damp conditions.
- Open windows: Winter is a more forgiving time of year for environmental allergies, but asthma can ramp up when open windows allow outdoor allergens inside.
- Bedding: Someone else’s comforters, blankets, and pillows can be full of dust mites and other asthma triggers.
It is never easy to travel with a chronic condition. The stress alone that can develop regarding your movements can lead to an asthma attack. Consider staying home or inviting people to your place for the holidays to reduce exposure to breathing difficulties in your environment.
Avoid Asthma Triggers in Your Own Home
It’s easy to get carried away by holiday festivities, but there are some usual suspects that can cause serious problems for asthma sufferers.
- Candles: Holiday candles can be taxing on an asthma sufferer’s lungs. Avoid scented candles especially.
- Tree: The presence of a fresh evergreen tree brings the outdoors inside, but the tree can also be full of allergens and spores. A fake tree is the safest route for people with asthma.
- Cleaning supplies: If you hire a cleaning service, make sure their supplies are fragrance free, enviro-friendly, and safe for asthmatics. If you’re doing the cleaning, follow the same rules, wear a mask, take breaks, and limit exposure to all cleaning products.
Asthma Treatment from Dr. Maria Swetech
All asthma sufferers must take their diagnosis seriously. It is a lot of work to have this chronic condition and travel with it too, but it is essential to be cautious about your environment and exposure to unwanted elements. Every effort to protect yourself keeps your asthma under control. Consider prioritizing your asthma as a self-care holiday gift to yourself.
Get support for your asthma or other chronic condition from me, Dr. Maria Swetech. I am a proud family medicine physician in Clinton Township, MI, and take a holistic approach to medicine, providing preventive care that focuses on overall body wellness.
