Christmas could trigger 300,000 deadly asthma attacks, warns Asthma UK

Asthma sufferers have been warned to take preventative medicine and remember their inhalers when attending Christmas events, because the festive season can be deadly.

Asthma UK carried out a survey of 1,000 people with the respiratory condition and found that one in 14 had experienced an attack at their work Christmas party, on Christmas Day or on New Year’s Eve.

The charity warns the mold spores from real Christmas trees, dusty fake trees, sulphites in pigs-in-blankets and wine, and Yuletide stress can all bring on potentially life threatening attacks.

Around 5.4 million people have been diagnosed with asthma in Britain and Asthma UK has estimated that 300,000 will have an attack during the festive season.

Vanessa Brett-Davey, 42, from Surrey, suffered asthma attack after getting a real Christmas tree.

“After hanging the decorations on the Christmas tree, I soon noticed I had a horrible dry cough and my breath was catching," she said.

“My symptoms got worse and I was struggling for breath and waking in the night needing my emergency inhaler. I dreaded going to bed because I knew I would be up all-night gasping for air.

“My asthma was out of control, I was having to use my emergency inhaler ten times a day.  I thought it might have been the Christmas tree that triggered my symptoms, and once my husband got rid of it I felt miraculously better.

“I haven’t had a real Christmas tree since – I don’t want to risk it.”

People with asthma have sensitive airways. When they come into contact with triggers, it causes their airways to become more inflamed and tighten, causing coughing, wheezing and leaving them struggling to breathe.In Britain three people die everyday from an asthma attack.

The charity has warned that other festive triggers include cigar or  cigarette smoke, the smoke from log fires or the scent from fragranced candles.

Dr Andy Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma UK and a practising GP said: “Don’t let Christmas party essentials like mulled wine and Christmas trees trigger an asthma attack and ruin your festive fun.

“Following simple tips could be life-saving, like taking your preventive medicine every day and always having your reliever inhaler with you, it well help you stay well so you can concentrate on enjoying yourself.”