Coughing around the Christmas tree

Festive triggers like trees, certain food and drinks and even presents could land you in hospital, warns Asthma + Lung UK

- BY NILUFER ATIK

More than 9,000 people were admitted to hospital in England last December after having an asthma attack. The figure dropped to 6,390 in February. So what is it about Christmas that can be so deadly when it comes to lung conditions? It seems mulled wine, pretty baubles and even the strain of cooking could prompt a worsening of lung symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing and coughing, meaning you might end up spending Christmas in a hospital bed.

Asthma + Lung UK's clinical lead Dr Andrew Whittamore outlines the festive triggers to look out for and tells you how to safeguard your health...

Christmas Tree Syndrome, where you are allergic to your Christmas tree and find symptoms of your lung condition worsening, can occur with both real and artificial trees for different reasons. Real trees and other seasonal plants like mistletoe can bring different types of mould spores and pollen into your home, which you often can't see, but multiply in the warm inside environment.