The Christmas decorations that could trigger inflammation, skin conditions, allergies and even cancer
Now that Christmas is only a few weeks away, you may be hauling a tree back to your house or pulling decorations out of a cupboard.
Even though your decorations and tinsel bring a lot of joy to the celebration, they may also create some negative side effects.
This can include coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and severe skin flare-ups.
However, according to scientists, some seasonal additions to your home may potentially raise your chance of developing cancer and chronic respiratory diseases.
These Christmas decorations, which include your piney-scented tree, glittering ornaments, and fragrant candles, may be having an adverse effect on your health.
1. Christmas trees
Nothing compares to the crisp, piney aroma of a fir filling your home, and a tree is the classic Christmas adornment.
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However, Dr. Donald Grant, a general practitioner and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, claims that the holiday mainstay might aggravate skin disorders like eczema.
Anyone with eczema or other skin disorders knows that flare-ups can happen quickly,” he explains.
“The disease can worsen with even the slightest shift in hormone levels or temperature.
“Over Christmas, trees can also cause symptoms to worsen.”
The general practitioner describes how trees can exacerbate the symptoms of eczema.
First of all, the sap and oils on genuine Christmas trees are the primary cause of eczema outbreaks, however there are other methods as well.
“Many trees contain rosin, causing contact dermatitis and irritating sensitive skin.”
Contact dermatitis is a form of eczema that is brought on by coming into contact with a specific chemical, whereas eczema is the term for a set of disorders that cause skin to become dry and irritated.
If the substance that is causing the issue is found and avoided, it usually gets better or goes away entirely.
Furthermore, these trees are frequently kept year-round in sheds or lofts,” Dr. Grant continues.
“The moisture provides the ideal environment for the growth of mold spores, which are detrimental to health in numerous ways, including lung infections and other respiratory disorders.
“For eczema sufferers, when these spores are released into the air, inhaling them can quickly trigger a reaction.”
However, those with eczema are not the only ones who should be cautious around trees.
“Anyone can have an allergic reaction to the popular decoration, leading to sneezing, coughing, disrupted sleep and sore eyes,” according to a doctor.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin disorder that makes the skin dry, cracked, itchy, and red.
The most prevalent type of atopic eczema, which frequently appears before a child’s first birthday, is more prevalent in youngsters.
But it can also appear in adults for the first time.
It is typically a chronic illness, though some children may have great improvement or even a full recovery as they grow older.
Eczema’s precise cause is unknown.
Symptoms: While some people just have little dry skin patches, others may have red, swollen skin all over their body.
It can affect any region of the body, but in children, it most frequently affects the hands, the backs of the knees, the insides of the elbows, and the face and scalp.
Eczema can be managed with a variety of methods, such as:
- self-care techniques, such as reducing scratching and avoiding triggers (babies and small children may need to wear mittens to avoid scratching)
- moisturising on a daily basis
- topical corticosteroids to reduce swelling, redness and itching during flare-ups
This syndrome, known as “Christmas Tree Syndrome,” is brought on by dust, pollen, and terpenes, which can lead to allergic reactions and respiratory problems.
He points out that some trees may present a greater risk of allergies than others.
“Fir trees may be a better option for homes with respiratory or skin issues because they are often less reactive than pine.
Christmas Tree Syndrome “may be a risk to people with asthma,” cautions Dr. Andrew Whittamore, clinical lead of Asthma + Lung UK and a practicing general practitioner.
According to him, “It can cause the airways to inflame and tighten, potentially leading to a flare-up of symptoms or causing a life-threatening asthma attack.”
2. Fake trees
Having an artificial Christmas tree may save you the trouble of bagging one, but scientists caution that you may not be avoiding negative health repercussions.
According to Dr. Grant, people with eczema are at comparable risk from artificial Christmas trees.
“For fake trees, dust accumulated over the year during storage can remain on the plant or spread around the home when decorating,” he writes.
“These allergens can irritate the skin, leading to flare-ups.”
Fake trees, according to Dr. Whittamore, can cause asthma flare-ups and coughing, sneezing, or wheezing.
“Artificial trees aren t completely safe either, as the dust and mould from these accumulated during storage could prompt an allergic response too,” he says.
3. Mistletoe and holly
According to Dr. Whittamore, if you have allergies or asthma, your plans to kiss under the mistletoe may not work out.
“Seasonal plants like mistletoe can bring mould spores and pollen into your house,” he says.
“These spores can grow in a warm home.
“If you have a mold and pollen sensitivity, you can experience symptoms that resemble hay fever and your asthma symptoms may worsen.
4. Baubles and tinsel
Since tinsel and glittery decorations are only used in December, it’s only fitting that they spend the rest of the year hidden away in a cabinet or attic.
However, if you have asthma, removing them from their dusty storage area can cause a variety of worrisome symptoms.
According to Dr. Whittamore: “Decorations might not be safe for people with lung conditions like asthma either as dust or mould can often linger in decorations that have been put away for the rest of the year and these are also triggers for some people with asthma and other lung conditions.”
5. Scented candles and diffusers
Lighting a candle with a strong smell or using a diffuser are two increasingly common ways to be in the spirit of Christmas.
They may cover up any mustiness in your house, but they may also contribute to dangerous indoor pollutants that can negatively impact your health.
“Use of scented candles or smoking, when combined with blocked wall vents and closed windows, worsens exposure to indoor air pollutants for householders,” write Drs. Marie Coggins of the University of Galway and Asit Kumar Mishra of the University College Cork in The Conversation.
For instance, peak concentrations of fine particles may rise to 15 times the WHO’s recommended limits when burning scented candles.
What are the symtoms of asthma?
The majority of adults and children with asthma experience episodes of difficulty breathing.
Breathing issues may be a constant difficulty for some persons with severe asthma.
The following are the most typical signs of asthma:
- wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing)
- breathlessness
- a tight chest – it may feel like a band is tightening around it
- coughing
These symptoms can be caused by a variety of factors, but they are more likely to be asthma if they:
- happen often and keep coming back
- are worse at night and early in the morning
- seem to happen in response to an asthma trigger like exercise or an allergy (such as to pollen or animals)
If you have asthma and are having trouble controlling it, or if you believe you or your kid may have it, see a general practitioner.
The NHS is the source.
“In rooms with inadequate ventilation, it took some time for these levels to return to normal.
“A complex mixture of chemicals and particulate matter, including harmful gasses like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, are produced when candles or incense sticks are burned.
Additionally, a number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are potentially hazardous to health can be produced by home fragrance products.
Particulate matter can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs in addition to causing short-term health impacts including coughing and sneezing.
Chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, and heart disease can all be made more likely by prolonged exposure.
“Particulate matter can also worsen some existing conditions, such as asthma.”
‘Natural’ house perfumes can also release poisonous compounds and dangerous pollution levels, the authors pointed out.
How to protect yourself
This Christmas, you can reduce the likelihood of unpleasant symptoms in a few ways.
To get rid of any dust, consider vacuuming or cleaning your artificial tree with a moist cloth before removing it from storage.
When putting the tree and decorations away for the year, you might use airtight plastic bags or boxes to keep them from becoming dusty.
Dr. Grant suggests minimizing contact with the tree itself, utilizing allergy relief medications and air purifiers, and constantly checking for mold, dust, and debris if you’re experiencing allergy problems.
If your eczema flares up, talk to your doctor about the symptoms to make sure you’re managing them appropriately and to obtain suggestions for medication or lifestyle modifications.
In order to prevent dryness brought on by household allergens or the increased use of heating during the winter, Dr. Grant continues, “I also advise people with eczema to keep hydrating their skin.”
“Moisturising is a quick and effective way of protecting against dry skin.”
According to Dr. Whittamore, it’s helpful to know what causes your asthma symptoms.
Each asthmatic will experience symptoms and triggers in a unique way.
“Understanding your own personal triggers and keeping an eye out for symptoms can help you to keep on top of your asthma symptoms so that it doesn t get in the way of your Christmas.
This time of year, the cold weather and viruses are a major trigger but there are things closer to home that we can do something about.
“Wiping down decorations outside to get rid of dust before you put them up can help.
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The most important thing anyone with a lung condition can do to protect themselves in case they are exposed to a trigger is use their preventer inhaler as prescribed and have their reliever inhaler with them at all times.
If you would like to receive tailored advice about how to look after your lung condition over winter, visitAsthma + Lung UK.
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