🎄 Why Christmas Decorations Can Trigger Symptoms

An explainer for people living with aspergillosis, asthma, ABPA, CPA and bronchiectasis

Many people with aspergillosis notice a sudden increase in sneezing, coughing, wheezing or chest tightness when unpacking Christmas decorations. This is extremely common and usually caused by environmental triggers, not new infection.

✅ What’s on decorations after a year in storage?

When decorations, artificial trees, or boxes have been stored for months, they often collect:

• Dust

• Fungal spores, including Aspergillus

• Dampness or musty smells

• Particles from cardboard

• Fibres from artificial branches

For people with allergic aspergillosis (ABPA), severe asthma or sensitive airways, this sudden exposure can cause an allergic flare or airway irritation.

🎄 Why this affects aspergillosis patients more

• Airways may already be inflamed or mucus-filled, so irritants cause quicker reactions.

• People with ABPA or SAFS react strongly to environmental allergens.

• People with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) or bronchiectasis may have reduced clearance, so spores or dust linger longer in the lungs.

This does not usually indicate infection — it’s most often an irritation flare.

🛡️ How to protect yourself next time

A few simple steps make a big difference:

• Wear a mask (FFP2) when opening boxes or shaking dust off.

• Take boxes outside, or open near an open window.

• Wipe decorations with a damp cloth rather than brushing them.

• Rinse or wipe artificial trees, especially branches.

• Use sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard for storage.

• Avoid shaking items indoors, as this scatters spores.

🌬️ If you’ve already had a flare

Most people settle within hours to a few days. You can try:

• Your usual inhalers (especially preventers).

• Airway clearance if you normally use it.

• Saline nebulisers/inhalers, which can soothe irritated airways.

• Rest, fluids, and avoiding further triggers for a short while.

Seek medical advice if symptoms are unusual for you, don’t settle, or you are already unwell.

💬 The key message

Decorations don’t cause new aspergillus infection — but they can release a burst of irritants and spores that your lungs react to. Taking a few precautions can help you enjoy the season without a flare.