Health Tip: Control Allergies During the Holidays

(HealthDay News) -- Between holiday greenery and traveling to distant destinations, the holiday season may abound with allergy triggers.

The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology offers these suggestions to help control allergies during the holidays:

• If Christmas trees make your allergies flare, let your tree dry out for a week in the garage, and give it a shake before taking it inside. Or opt for an artificial tree.
• If using artificial snow or flocking, carefully read instructions before you spray and avoid breathing in fumes. This will help ensure that the fumes don't aggravate your asthma.
• Leaving your pet home during your holiday travels may trigger allergy symptoms on your return.
• Try to control holiday stress, which can trigger an asthma attack.