The holiday season can bring more anxiety than joy for people with allergies. Having no control over the menu, the risk of cross-contamination, and unexpected allergens can make holidays challenging. Based on allergists’ recommendations, we present 7 essential rules to help you enjoy a safer and more comfortable holiday.

1. Prepare your own food

The holiday table is usually not under your control. Even a family member who knows about your allergy may accidentally add allergens — for example, mixing potatoes with butter or cream. That’s why experts recommend bringing a dish that is safe for your allergy.

Dietitian Sarah Ryan (MS, RDN, LD):
“When you prepare the food yourself, you know exactly what goes into it.”

Learn the most common allergy-triggering foods in advance and identify risky products.

2. Ask about ingredients ahead of time

If you're going to a family dinner or visiting friends, asking about the ingredients is completely normal.

Allergy researcher Caitlin Hoff states:
“Politeness is important, but protecting yourself is even more important.”

If the answer is, “Yes, this dish contains nuts,” you should bring your own safe food.

3. Research your allergen thoroughly

Sometimes allergens hide in unexpected products. For example:

• Shortbread cookies for someone with a milk allergy

• Salad dressings

• Labels that say “natural flavors” — which may contain milk derivatives

Understanding where your allergen might be hidden helps ensure your safety.

4. Avoid cross-contamination

Cross-contamination is very common at holiday gatherings.
Even one spatula used between dishes can cause an allergic reaction — or even anaphylaxis.

Nutrition expert Rachel Begun (MS, RDN) explains:
“At family-style meals, serving utensils are often shared. It’s safer to ask to be served separately.”

What to do:

• Wash your hands frequently

• Keep surfaces clean

• Use your own utensils

5. Always carry your EpiPen

For severe allergies, an EpiPen can be life-saving.

Take it with you if your allergy can cause:

• shortness of breath

• throat tightening

• hives

• vomiting

• dizziness

An epinephrine auto-injector is essential in such cases.

6. Be careful with Christmas trees

Both real and artificial Christmas trees can cause allergic reactions.

President of ACAAI, Dr. Bradley Chipps, warns:
“Real trees may carry pollen and mold spores. Artificial trees may be covered in dust.”

Tips:

• Rinse the real tree before bringing it into your home

• Clean artificial trees from dust

7. Protect yourself from cold air

Cold, dry air can be especially problematic for people with asthma and allergies.

Dr. Chipps advises:
“If you spend a long time outdoors, cover your mouth and nose with a scarf or mask.”

Temperature changes can also intensify allergic reactions.

Broken Heart Syndrome – Can It Really Be Fatal?

Sometimes life hits so hard that it feels like something breaks inside. Grief, separation, or a major loss can harm not only emotional well-being but also the physical heart. This condition is known as Broken Heart Syndrome (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy).

What is it and who is most at risk?

In this condition, part of the heart temporarily weakens and cannot pump blood efficiently.

Most commonly affected:

• Women aged 58–75

• Women in the post-menopausal period

More than 90% of reported cases occur in women.

Intense emotional events — the death of a loved one, separation, betrayal, divorce — trigger a surge of stress hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline), which temporarily weaken the heart muscle.

Symptoms

This syndrome resembles a heart attack:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Palpitations

• Sudden weakness

But unlike a heart attack, the arteries are not blocked.

How dangerous is it?

Most patients:

• fully recover

• within several weeks.

But in rare cases, serious complications may occur:

• heart failure

• arrhythmias

• fluid accumulation in the lungs

• cardiogenic shock (life-threatening condition)

Although the mortality rate is low, severe cases can be dangerous.

Treatment and recovery

The heart usually returns to normal within 4–8 weeks.

Treatment includes:

• beta-blockers

• diuretics

• medications that reduce the effects of stress hormones

Emotional stability is also an important part of recovery.

Can you really die from a “broken heart”?

Yes — but very rarely.
A dramatic emotional event can weaken the heart so much that it cannot pump enough blood to the body. Without immediate medical help, this can be fatal.

Some believe that actress Debbie Reynolds died from this syndrome one day after the death of her daughter Carrie Fisher.

Conclusion

Both allergies and emotional stress can make the holiday season difficult. However, with the right approach, preventive measures, and proper self-care, you can protect both your health and your holiday spirit.