Managing Fall Allergies through the Holidays

Stick or Treat

Halloween is just around the corner, and with it comes candy pouring into our homes. Candy from work, school, neighbors…it’s everywhere. According to Monmouth University, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are America’s favorite candy. Snickers, M&M’s, Hershey bars and candy corn were close behind. Since the top food allergens likely to cause anaphylaxis are peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, milk, eggs, wheat and soy, these candies are anything but safe for many consumers. Exposure to such candies can result in the need for emergency measures such as epinephrine pens.

FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) is leading a movement to make the Halloween season safer for kids worldwide. They encourage you to provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters. Placing a teal pumpkin on your doorstep means you have these kinds of allergy-friendly treats. There is even a map you can add your home to as a way of advertising a safe trick-or-treating location. Parents, check the map for teal homes near you! Stay safe out there.

Holiday Cheer

‘Tis the season for friends and family, and holiday potlucks with all of the best food! It’s difficult to know what is safe to eat though, with unknown ingredients and exposures the food may have had to cross contamination. As careful as one might be, it’s always a gamble to eat something at a potluck or a party.

Unfortunately for us, food allergies are not the only source of allergens we have to worry about. When the holidays come around, we hang our seasonal decorations and the dust that comes with them. It gets colder outside so we turn on the heater, shut the doors and windows, and spend more time inside with our pets. We burn fires and bring in pine trees covered in mold spores to decorate our homes. We travel to visit family. All of these things stir up irritations, or expose us to new ones that drive our allergies crazy.

How Long do my Fall Allergies Last?

In a post from last season, fall allergies were discussed. Ragweed and pollens are common triggers for runny noses, sneezing, congestion, headaches, etc. Unfortunately, allergies to pollen will persist until the pollen is no longer in the air. It’s a great idea to check the pollen count before going outside if you know that is a trigger. Managing how your body reacts to the pollen will help reduce how long fall allergies last.

Bah Humbug

You don’t have to be a holiday Scrooge! There are ways to participate in the holiday fun without putting your health at risk.

Offer to host! This will give you peace of mind that the surfaces food is on are clean and free of harmful allergens. Ask guests talk about their allergies, and to be mindful of others when bringing a dish to share. Suggest that guests bring their recipes with all ingredients used. Recipe swap potlucks might even be a fun idea to include everyone, make sure guests are comfortable with the food provided, and to exchange fun and new recipes.

Be sure to clean decorations before hanging them, and consider switching to an artificial tree. Make sure your air filters are clean, and free from bothersome allergens.

Dr. Wendt can help you pinpoint your fall holiday triggers and help you manage them. She can help prepare you with the proper medication to treat the exact triggers. Call now to prepare for the seasonal fun.

Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives is located near Kierland Commons and Scottsdale Quarter, 21803 N. Scottsdale Road Ste. 200, and has convenient evening and weekend hours to accommodate your schedule. Dr. Wendt is also available for telemedicine appointments as appropriate. Insurance plans accepted. Call 480-500-1902 today to schedule an appointment and begin your allergy testing journey with Dr. Wendt at Relieve Allergy in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Learn more about Dr. Wendt and Relieve Allergy Asthma & Hives at www.relieveallergyaz.com.

REFERENCES

1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are most popular Halloween candy, poll finds. Accessed on 24 October 2019 from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/10/11/reeses-peanut-butter-cups-most-popular-halloween-candy/3941545002/
2. ALL ABOUT ALLERGIES. Accessed on 24 October 2019 from: https://www.allergypartners.com/arizona/all-about-allergies/
3. About the Teal Pumpkin Project. Accessed on 24 October 2019 from: https://www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project/get-started
4. Allergies During the Holidays. Accessed on 24 October 2019 from: https://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/allergies-during-the-holidays#1