Guest guest Posted December 31, 2003 Report Share Posted December 31, 2003 Wed, 31 Dec 2003 08:37:07 -0500 HSI - Jenny Thompson Auld Lang Syne Auld Lang Syne Health Sciences Institute e-Alert December 31, 2003 ************************************************************** Dear Reader, Are you allergic to the holidays? According to a charity organization called Allergy UK, many people are allergic to certain elements associated with the holidays; especially when it comes to holiday parties. What's worse, those allergy sufferers may not even realize they're being exposed to allergy triggers. And to complicate matters even more, a few drinks can add to the problem. So if you're on your way out to a New Year's Eve party tonight, here are some tips that may help you avoid an unhappy New Year's Day. ---------------------------- Stealth triggers ---------------------------- The first problem is dust. If you have a heightened sensitivity to dust, then you'll want to steer clear of paper decorations, artificial Christmas trees (which are often still up at New Year's and, for one of my neighbors, at Valentine's Day), and any other seasonal ornamentation that may sit in storage all year long collecting dust and supporting a teeming metropolis of dust mites. But real Christmas trees can be a problem too. Actually, tree sap is the culprit. As Muriel Simmons, chief executive of Allergy UK, explained to BBC News Online, those who are allergic to tree sap don't even have to come into contact with it to develop a rash, runny nose, and watery eyes. One way to avoid the sap problem is to spray the tree with water before setting it up indoors. Of course, that tip won't come in very handy this late in the season. And even the most accommodating host probably won't feel comfortable about dragging the hose into the house to spray down the tree. So if you're allergic to tree sap, place yourself on the opposite side of the room from the Christmas tree. ---------------------------- Whoops there goes another rubber tree plant ---------------------------- For some people, perfumes can set off allergic reactions, sometimes causing headaches, nausea, rashes, and shortness of breath. For those with this type of sensitivity, the perfumes used to add fragrance to holiday candles may also produce the same effect. Another sneaky allergy trigger is balloons. When a ceiling net filled with balloons is released at midnight, anyone who is allergic to latex may be in for an uncomfortable reaction. Latex allergies have become more pervasive in recent years because people who wear latex gloves on a regular basis sometimes become sensitive to latex over time. In the worst cases, contact with latex can lead to anaphylactic shock - a condition in which the body reacts to a substance by releasing excess histamine. For some, this means muscle contractions, swelling, and closing of the throat, which may cut off the air supply. And balloons aren't the only problem for people allergic to latex. Poinsettia plants are in the same family as the Brazilian rubber tree, which is the source for natural rubber latex. But in order to create an allergic reaction, the skin has to come into contact with the sap of the plant, so unless someone starts throwing poinsettias or balancing them on their head, you're probably safe. ---------------------------- Walk a straight line ---------------------------- Of course, if decorative plants start sailing through the air, you can safely say that people have probably had too much to drink. And Ms. Simmons warns that drinking is a complicating factor with all of the holiday allergies mentioned above. When people drink alcohol they often let down their guards and take less care about avoiding triggers they know can prompt allergic reactions. In the Allergy UK Festive Season Alert, a warning about drinking is prominently displayed to raise awareness about the role that alcohol consumption can play in setting off allergies. So don't let your guard down while you enjoy yourself tonight, and chances are you'll wake up on January 1, healthy and ready to take on another year. ************************************************************** To start receiving your own copy of the HSI e-Alert, visit: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/freecopy.html Or forward this e-mail to a friend so they can sign-up to receive their own copy of the HSI e-Alert. ************************************************************** ... and another thing The time has come to spread a little wassail. Many centuries ago Old Norsemen would lift a stein filled with whatever Old Norsemen drank and say, " ves heill, " which simply meant " be well. " By the 12th century, Old Englishmen had borrowed the toast, turning it into " wassail. " According to Merriam-Webster, the word eventually became associated with drunken revelry on the part of Christmas carolers who tossed back a bit too much cider and other warm alcoholic drinks. Over time, these winter drinks also came to be known as wassail. By the 17th century, wassail had taken on a different meaning as a kind of blessing for good health and general prosperity during early winter festivities. In fact, some farmers would even wassail their livestock and crops, pouring cider in the orchards and barns to encourage a thriving production. And that's the sense in which I offer the word today. As we turn the corner on a tumultuous year and prepare to open fresh calendars, I wish you prosperity and the best of health in 2004. Wassail... To Your Good Health, Jenny Thompson Health Sciences Institute ************************************************************** Sources: " Are You Allergic to Christmas? " Pat Hagan, BBC News Online, 12/15/03, bbc.co.uk " Festive Season Alert " Allergy UK, allergyfoundation.com " Allergic to Latex? Poinsettia Plants May Pose Risk " Allergy UK, allergyfoundation.com Copyright ©1997-2003 by www.hsibaltimore.com, L.L.C. The e-Alert may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission. ************************************************************** Before you hit reply to send us a question or request, please visit here: http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealert/questions.html ************************************************************** If you'd like to participate in the HSI Forum, search past e-Alerts and products or you're an HSI member and would like to search past articles, visit http://www.hsibaltimore.com ************************************************************** Find out what made the Top Searches of 2003 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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