How Parties Can Trigger Allergic Reactions

A friend of mine really suffered this Christmas with fits of sneezing and watery eyes - symptoms that seemed to come about whenever she visited relatives or went to friends' parties. It wasn't until I read information from a charity organisation called Allergy UK that I discovered a possible cause.

According to Allergy UK many people are allergic to certain elements associated with parties, especially those over the festive season. What's worse, those allergic reaction sufferers may not even realise they're being exposed to allergy triggers. And to complicate matters even more, a few drinks can add to the problem.

While this advice may be a bit late now that Christmas is over it can stand you in good stead for next year, or if you're going to a party at other times of the year these tips may help you avoid an unhappy morning after.

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 that can support a teeming metropolis of dust mites.

And during the festive period, artificial Christmas trees and any other seasonal ornamentation that may sit in storage all year long collecting dust, can also be a problem.

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 if you still have your tree up. And, at a party, even the most accommodating host probably won't feel comfortable about dragging a 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 scented candles may also produce the same effect.

Another sneaky allergy trigger is balloons. When a ceiling net filled with balloons is released at a party, anyone who is allergic to latex may be in for an uncomfortable reaction.

Latex allergic reactions 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 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. Although obviously this advice is relevant all year round and not just at Christmas.

So don't let your guard down while you enjoy yourself at a party, and chances are you'll wake up happy and healthy.