Be mindful of allergies while decorating for holidays

As you begin pulling down the holiday decorations from the attic this season, doctors at
UT Southwestern Medical Center have some tips for cutting down allergy risks.

“Carrying items down from dusty attics or pulling them from garages and other storage areas can stir up dust and molds,” says Dr. Rebecca Gruchalla, chief of allergy and immunology at UT Southwestern.

If you have fabric decorations, try washing them before putting them up. When selecting decorations, try avoiding fabric, which trap more dust than plastic, metal and glass items.

If the decorations appear dusty, take them outside and wipe them down before putting them up in your home. That can be particularly helpful with artificial trees, which can accumulate dust and mold in the branches.

Other things that may exacerbate symptoms in persons with asthma and allergies during the holiday season include: scented candles, wood stored for fireplaces, even the smoke from fires can be a trigger of asthma attacks. If traveling during the holidays, consider taking your own pillow containing a dust mite-proof encasement.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/allergy to learn more about clinical services for allergies at UT Southwestern.

Media Contact: Erin Prather Stafford