Health library

Lung disease: Beware the scents of the season

Five lighted candles of different heights on a plate with holly, pine sprigs and pine cones.

Dec. 1, 2025—Whether it's shimmering lights, peaceful carols or savory feasts, there's no denying the holidays treat the senses. But, if you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the season also fills the air with scents that might cause trouble breathing.

We're talking about scented items, such as:

Fragrant candles.
Potpourri.
Scented pine cones.
Wax warmers.

These and other scented items sometimes seem to be everywhere at this time of year. And—like household cleaners, perfumes and paints—holiday smells might trigger coughing, wheezing and other symptoms in people with lung conditions such as asthma or COPD.

Avoid the aroma

Often the easiest way to protect your lungs (or the lungs of a holiday guest) is to avoid heavily fragranced products. That means not having these things in your home.

If you must have a holiday candle, choose one that's unscented. (Keep in mind that candle smoke can still affect the air quality in your home.)

If you want to have holiday candles without the scent or smoke, choose flameless LED candles. They glow like the real thing but without the risks that can trigger breathing issues.

Fragrant foliage can be an issue too

Does the scent of a live tree bother your breathing? It does for some people. If that's true for you, consider using an artificial tree to decorate.

It might be best to choose one that isn't flocked, though, as the faux snow can be a lung irritant, according to the American Lung Association.

Don't leave home without your inhaler

Always keep your rescue inhaler with you, including when you shop, travel or visit relatives for the holidays. Your inhaler may come in handy if you encounter a holiday fragrance that triggers a flare-up of your symptoms. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about managing your lung disease, let your doctor know.

Holiday scents aren't the only possible lung disease trigger you might encounter this time of year. Steer clear of woodsmoke from fireplaces. And if you have allergies, dust and mold can trigger asthma flare-ups too. Get tips for managing allergies during the winter holidays.

Sources

American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. "Don't Let Hidden Holiday Allergies Ruin Your Good Cheer." https://acaai.org/resource/dont-let-hidden-holiday-allergies-ruin-your-good-cheer.
American Lung Association. "Holiday Scents and Lung Disease Triggers." https://www.lung.org/blog/holiday-scents-asthma-triggers.
American Lung Association. "How to Prepare Lung-Friendly Holiday Gatherings." https://www.lung.org/blog/lung-friendly-holiday.
American Lung Association. "Is Cooking Making Your Indoor Air Unsafe?" https://www.lung.org/blog/cooking-air-pollution
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "Asthma-Friendly Home Checklist." https://aafa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/asthma-care-for-adults-lesson-2-asthma-triggers-home-checklist.pdf.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "Indoor Air Quality." https://aafa.org/asthma/asthma-triggers-causes/air-pollution-smog-asthma/indoor-air-quality.