Hidden holiday allergy triggers: How to stay protected

Health warnings during the holiday season often focus on reducing stress or curbing how much people are eating and drinking, but for the millions of Americans who suffer from allergies, the holidays could carry a whole host of health risks.

Dr. Clifford Bassett, a clinical assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City and director of Allergy & Asthma Care of New York, tells CBSNews.com that it's essential to have a holiday action plan to stay ahead of allergic reactions and irritation caused by common staples of the holiday season.

"Pre-treatment before symptoms begin is a secret to success," he says.

With help from Dr. Bassett, keep clicking to see some common triggers that might set off an allergic reaction or cause an uncomfortable evening for you and your holiday guests, and find out how to stay protected.

Christmas trees

These holiday staples appear in homes, stores and offices, creating potential allergy hazards for some sufferers. Dr. Bassett says that most people who develop allergic reactions from natural Christmas trees are affected by the mold spores present on the trees. Some people may not realize they even have a mold allergy until the holiday season, when the tree tips them off, he said.

He recommends wiping the needles down with a damp cloth or vegetable cleaner, as mold can develop within several days.

Artificial trees can also carry allergy risks, Bassett warns, if they're sprayed with chemicals -- such as those to make artificial snow.

The bottom line? Whether it be natural or artificial, it's important to keep your trees clean.

Poinsettia

Poinsettias are popular holiday decorations that could cause trouble for people who are allergic to latex or rubber, says Dr. Bassett, because the plant is a relative of the rubber tree. About 3 million Americans are thought to have a latex allergy, according to the American Latex Allergy Association.

Allergic reactions can be caused even without direct contact, if a pet rubs up against poinsettia and bumps into someone with an allergy, Bassett adds.

Holiday decorations

The annual tradition of unpacking the wreaths and ornaments from the attic may lead to allergy attacks for the whole family.

"A lot of people spread dust and mold when they break out the holiday decorations," warns Bassett. He recommends buying washable, non-porous decorations that won't trap hidden dust.

"To plan ahead for next year, make sure to put the decorations away in a sealed bag or container," he adds.

Cold weather

Much of the country experiences cold weather during the holiday season, and the cold could wreak havoc on the noses of many. Dr. Bassett says a common winter ailment is "Skier's nose," which is not an allergy but causes your nose to run and can feel quite annoying.

Try to reduce your outdoor exposure to stave off Skier's nose.

Humidifiers

People may turn to humidifiers during the winter season to avoid the dryness that comes with the cold temperatures and forced air heat; however, Bassett notes that dust mites thrive in the home when the humidity is above 50 percent. A hygrometer can be used to measure indoor humidity in the home, he notes.

"If you have dry nasal passages, mild humidification can ease symptoms," says Bassett. "Just don't turn your home into a greenhouse."

Pets

Many holiday revelers may go to the homes of relatives and friends that have pets. Cat and dog dander is light and buoyant and may be circulating throughout a home, according to Dr. Bassett. This can be compounded by less ventilation caused by keeping the windows closed throughout the winter.

For those who may have guests with pet allergies or are allergic themselves, Bassett recommends an air purifier with a HEPA filter. Some ventilation systems in homes can even be retrofitted with HEPA filters.

NASA researchers also have evidence that certain indoor plants like English ivy and weeping fig may help reduce indoor air pollutants like pet dander and dust mites.

Fragrances

If holiday guests go heavy on the cologne, or you receive a new fragrance as a gift, you can potentially be in for an uncomfortable evening.

Fragrances rarely cause allergic reactions in the physiological sense, says Dr. Bassett, but they can cause irritation of the nose, eyes, throat or lungs and cause symptoms that mimic allergy, including: runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, post-nasal drip, cough, worsening asthma, headache, and watery, burning or itchy eyes. In general, those with allergies and/or asthma may have more easily irritated eyes, nasal and bronchial passages.

Potpourri and scented candles, which are popular during the holidays, can also cause irritation to the airways.

Food allergies

There are plenty of hidden allergens in foods that can affect those with allergy considerations, especially during the holidays with fruit baskets, cookies, and sweets.

If you or your child has food allergies, Bassett recommends to call ahead to your host, restaurant or child's school to make sure accommodations are made to eat safely. A "chef card" that's designed to alert others to ingredients that a person needs to avoid can also be helpful. For young kids especially, he recommends bringing a bag of safe-to-eat snacks.

Dr. Bassett and staff educate their patients to be "label detectives" and learn the science of de-coding ingredients, which is essential in reducing allergy risk. He further cautions that in preparing holiday meals, some labels say the product "may contain" nuts or milk for example, because a manufacturer produces the product in the same plant as those allergy-inducing foods, so always take those labels seriously. Cross contamination can occur with the use of common utensils and countertops, so be careful.

And for those with a history of severe allergic reactions, make sure you have an EpiPen Auto-Injectors handy, he recommends.

For more information on holiday allergies, visit theAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology website and follow Dr. Bassett on Twitter.