How do you handle holiday scents & foods with allergies?

Hi, @sueinmn - Over the past several years, I've seen how controlling my exposure to scents helps me with allergy and asthma symptoms. There aren't any foods I am allergic to, to my knowledge.

Other members on Mayo Clinic Connect who've mentioned food or scent/chemical allergies may have helpful responses to your questions about holiday scents and foods, Sue, such as @mgnunez75 @marye2 @jwfletcher @astaingegerdm @cindychesler @nrd1 @kallettla @csly @fourof5zs @artscaping @jana13.

In response to your questions:

1. To avoid overwhelming my body with scents from the holidays or otherwise, I start with myself and use only unscented or low-scent (it usually must be naturally-scented, versus chemically fragranced) shampoo, body wash or bar soap, and conditioner. I have not used perfume in the past several years. This was hard for me to give up, but I finally did and have benefited from it allergy-wise. I also use unscented laundry soap. I even had to ask my now-husband back when we were dating if he'd consider using a different laundry soap. It seemed embarrassing to ask this. However, he was willing to help, and it was bothering me a lot just sitting next to him. He found another one that didn't bother me.

When I notice strong scents I know will trigger me, I either walk far around them (e.g., the bath bombs they started displaying at a nearby grocery store) or ask someone for help (e.g., ask if they'd be willing to snuff out a scented candle that prompted symptoms. This comes up more often over holiday periods when many people burn scented candles).

2. I find people around me willing to help with controlling factors that trigger me, and are much more understanding than I'd anticipate. I never like to "bother" other people with my allergy problems, but I usually get kindness when I mention anything causing me problems in a nice way.

3. People have not always been honest with me about their cats, to which I'm quite allergic. Sometimes, I think it's just a lack of information about how an animal allergy works. They've done things like not mentioning they have a cat somewhere in the house if they figure out I'm allergic. However, sometimes I don't proactively mention my allergy to them. Some people have thought that if they contain their cat in one part of the house during my visit, I will be fine. This is challenging for me, since cats actually wander everywhere in a house.

4. I find I have to swallow my pride and/or my desire to avoid inconveniencing others and make conscious steps to speak up and advocate for myself with allergens in stores or homes. It's never too fun to do so, but yet I realize people would never know unless I say something.

So true, my sister gets all the candles I am gifted (??!!) but I had to ask her to stop the potporrie in the house. We have cats and we get the house thoroughly cleaned as well as changing out the air filter monthly . Sadly our long haired kitty died, so now we have Oriental Shorthair cats--rescues, unbelievably. I hope that it keeps dander down for visitors. Amazing how odors can affect us!