Before you start roasting chestnuts on an open fire, if you have asthma, you need to take extra precautions. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can mean daily asthma management practices take a backseat, and people with asthma may find themselves forgetting to take their daily controller medicines while also being bombarded with an increase in asthma triggers and sick family members. Not to mention travel, gift buying stress, and other holiday activities like sitting around the fireplace. We want to make sure you enjoy your family and holiday fun, so here are some steps to take to help make sure your asthma isn’t an issue when you belt out your holiday carols.
Avoid Holiday Scents and Seasonal Triggers
Some causes of asthma flare-ups during the holidays are artificial holiday scents. These can be commonly found in many homes, workplaces and schools. Though candles, air fresheners and scented pinecones may smell nice, they are triggers that some people with asthma need to avoid. In addition, live trees can produce a strong smell of pine, along with mold and pollen — all indoor asthma triggers. Conversely, artificial trees can carry dust and mold from improper storage. Roasting chestnuts over wood burning fireplaces can also be an asthma trigger, so do your best to avoid wood fires and request that houses you visit refrain from burning fires as well.
To improve the indoor air quality and reduce asthma triggers indoors, start by removing or limiting the use of chemicals in the air. Candles, air fresheners, and other products with fragrances bring thousands of new chemicals into our homes. Shake artificial trees and wreaths outside to remove dust that might have accumulated during storage. Also, limit the use of woodburning fireplaces and candles so you do not breathe in particulate matter than irritates your nose, throat, and lungs. Improving the ventilation in your home by opening the windows just 10 minutes once or twice a day will make a large difference to reduce the pollutants in your home. Using exhaust fans when cooking and HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air cleaners in your home can filter the air you breathe.
For more ways to combat this season’s many triggers, read our guide.
Practice Good Hygiene
Though this is a time of celebration, it is also a time when respiratory illnesses run rampant. For people with chronic lung diseases like asthma or COPD, exposure to respiratory infections can lead to severe sickness and respiratory symptoms. Prevention strategies are critical. To prevent illness, practice good hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds frequently, especially before serving or eating. If you are unable to wash your hands, using hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is a good alternative. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth whenever possible to limit the way germs can enter your body. If you are in a crowded indoor space, consider wearing a mask.
Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccinations
Since respiratory infections are the most common asthma trigger at any time of the year, staying up to date with your vaccinations is one of the best ways to prevent infection. Prepare ahead of time by talking to your healthcare team and getting all the vaccinations you are eligible or recommended for. This may include flu, RSV, pneumococcal pneumonia, pertussis and COVID-19.
Back in 2001, our Airways Clinical Research Center Network released results of its first study, which found that flu shots are safe for children and adults with asthma as the vaccination does not worsen asthma symptoms. So, even though people with asthma are not more likely to get the flu, the influenza infection can be more serious for them, even if their asthma is well-controlled. If you do get sick with flu symptoms, call your doctor as soon as possible to receive timely treatment to avoid serious complications from the flu.
Keep Your Medicine Close
Whether traveling by plane, train or automobile, keep quick-relief (rescue) and maintenance (controller) medications on hand in a travel pack. This will ensure you have quick and easy access to all your medication and medical information just in case your travel plans are delayed or the change in environment causes asthma symptoms. If traveling far from home, make sure to bring the correct amount to cover your trip and what to do if you run out when you are away from home. You will also want to keep your insurance card, healthcare provider and your immediate family contact information on hand in case of an emergency.
Follow Your Asthma Action Plan
With the number of parties and outside activities, it may be difficult to stick to your regular routine. However, if you follow your asthma action plan, it can help you manage your medications, triggers and symptoms while keeping you in the holiday spirit. If you are traveling, you should keep a copy of your plan with you so that your friends and family can be prepared in case of an emergency.
Yes, the holidays can be one of the most wonderful times of the year. While there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed and treated so that people with asthma can be active, healthy and enjoy their lives to the fullest. With a bit of planning and care, those living with asthma can stay safe and enjoy this holiday season.
Blog last updated: December 16, 2025
