People with asthma are being reminded of the importance of maintaining good management of the condition during the Christmas period.

The Asthma Society of Ireland has launched a new awareness campaign, #12TriggersOfChristmas, reminding people of the potential triggers they may encounter over the festive period.

"After the tough year that 2020 has been, many of us are particularly looking forward to the festivities this Christmas. However it is crucial people with asthma do not let their guard down and continue to manage their condition by taking their medication as prescribed and having an Asthma Action Plan in place.

"People with asthma should also be aware of triggers that may cause their asthma to worsen during the festive season," commented Ruth Morrow, a respiratory nurse who works on the Asthma Society's nurse-led WhatsApp Messaging Service.

Around 380,000 people in Ireland have asthma and there tends to be an increased number of triggers around this time of year.

The Asthma Society is calling on people to be particularly aware of the following triggers this Christmas:

-Artificial Christmas trees and decorations often gather mould and dust. If your asthma is triggered by these, it is important to damp dust your tree/decorations when they are removed from storage. After Christmas, before putting the decorations back into storage, remove any dust that may have accumulated on them over the Christmas period and wrap them in plastic before storage

-Real Christmas trees or any festive greenery such as holly and mistletoe often contain mould which will thrive in a warm environment. To reduce the impact of the tree on your asthma you should hose it down before you bring it into your home and keep it in the coolest part of your home. You should remove the tree immediately if you notice it triggering your asthma symptoms

-Open fires are a tradition for many people during the Christmas season. However they emit smoke and fumes, which can trigger asthma for many people. Try to avoid being in a room with an open fire where possible, and burn smokeless fuel instead of smoky fuels

-Scented candles are a common gift at Christmas, but can be a big trigger for people with asthma. Use non-scented candles or LED candles instead

-Alcohol contains histamines and sulphites which can trigger asthma in some people. If you know a certain drink triggers your asthma, avoid it

-Weather changes can have a big effect on people with asthma, especially the cold weather during winter. Breathe through a scarf when outdoors to help filter the cold air. Try to exercise indoors instead of outside to avoid cold air. Check out the Asthma Society's Winter Wellness Guide here for tips on managing asthma during the winter

-Stress is a common trigger for people with asthma and Christmas can prove a stressful period for some. If you are unable to get your stress under control, speak to someone - a family member, friend or a professional. Consider things like yoga or meditation as well

-Colds and flus are very common at this time of the year and are a common trigger for people with asthma. Those with asthma should speak to their healthcare professional about getting the flu vaccine. They should also practise good hand hygiene, and try to avoid other people who have a cold/flu.

-Cigarette smoke is another common asthma trigger. If you have asthma you should not smoke. If you come into contact with someone who is smoking you should remind them of your asthma and ask them to stop

-Cleaning products - people often choose to clean their homes before or after the Christmas holidays, however many common cleaning products trigger asthma. If your asthma is triggered by these products, use natural cleaning agents, such as lemon and water, or baking soda and vinegar instead.

-Food, which is often consumed in larger amounts during the festive season, can contain ingredients that people with asthma are allergic to. This can trigger asthma. If you know you are allergic to a certain food, avoid it. Let your friends know in advance of any allergies you may have

-COVID-19 is still an issue even though it is Christmas. It is extremely important that we all work together to stop the spread of this deadly disease. Follow the HSE's public health guidance to help prevent its spread.

People who have questions about managing their asthma over the Christmas period can call the Asthma Society's Asthma and COPD Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64 to speak to an asthma nurse.

They can also use the Asthma and COPD WhatsApp Messaging Service for real-time one-to-one communication with an asthma or COPD nurse. Message 086 059 0132.

People are advised that both the Adviceline and WhatsApp Messaging Service will close from Wednesday, December 23 to Monday, January 4, so they are encouraged to make contact before then.