Poinsettias and poinsettias are popular flowers in December, but some people are so allergic to them that it becomes difficult to go to the shops in December. Ragnhild Hovet owns Spar in the Sunnmørs village of Sykkylven, and she decided several years ago that the store should be poinsettia-free. – I think it has been four or five years since we stopped selling these flowers. The customer comes first. Those who are allergic really appreciate it, she says. Elvira Eikrem likes poinsettias, but she understands that it is difficult for those with allergies in December. Photo: Olaug Bjørneset / news Elvira Eikrem is one of the customers in the store. She thinks poinsettia is a very nice flower, but understands well that Spar does not want to sell it. – Mum is allergic, so she thinks it’s very good, she says. And it is not the only shop in the village that does this. Also at Kiwi in Sykkylven there is no poinsettia in December. A poinsettia is compulsory in many homes at Christmas. Photo: Olaug Bjørneset / news Applauding the arrangement Hogne Skogesal, assistant general secretary of the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association. Photo: Private Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association thinks it is very good that the shops take care of the allergic challenges of the customers. – We applaud this form of facilitation. We don’t know of any other grocery stores that do the same, but hope it can inspire more, says assistant general secretary Hogne Skogesal. – This product can easily be obtained from flower shops where customers must actually expect to come into contact with this type of plant, he adds. Tips against Christmas allergies Christmas allergies are oversensitivity to typical Christmas foods (clementines, nuts and spices), plants, candles, fragrances, Christmas trees and dusty Christmas decorations. Other allergens at Christmas can be residues from chemical cleaning agents, people who wear a lot of perfume or social interaction at home with dogs and cats. Tell us about your allergies when you visit. Hosts should take into account that guests may have allergies. Limit the use of chemical cleaning agents, especially sprays, when doing the Christmas washing. There are alternatives. A real Christmas tree can be replaced with a plastic tree, remember to wash off the dust from last year. Avoid poinsettias and other flowers with a strong smell. Use unscented Azalea, Ildtopp, Alpefiol, Christmas cactus, unscented roses or orchids instead. Dust off Christmas decorations that have been in storage. Replace candles with battery-powered lights Replace birch wood, which can trigger birch allergies, with other types of wood. Store firewood outdoors. Use smoking with care – there are some people who get very strong allergic reactions to smoking. Also watch out for cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, and nuts, which can cause reactions in many people. Be careful with perfume, even a good smell can make others sick. Have an allergy-friendly Christmas treat, without eggs, milk and nuts 15 percent of the population has an allergy to fur animals. Make sure that animals do not stay in the same room as allergy sufferers, and that you have washed, vacuumed and ventilated the room before visiting. Sources: Naaf.no and allergiguiden.no) Positive feedback The shop has only received positive feedback that they do not sell the Christmas flowers that many people are allergic to. That’s what merchant at Spar Sykkylven, Håvard Elias Hovet Aas, says. – And then we have a nice flower shop right up the street here, so those who want can easily get a poinsettia anyway, he says. Håvard Elias Hovet Aas says allergic customers appreciate being able to shop for daily necessities without being exposed to poinsettias and Christmas cheer in December. Photo: Olaug Bjørneset / news Just next to driv Runa Welle “Welle Blomster og Gaver” which sells poinsettias, but which nevertheless tries to meet the people with allergies. – We have customers who say they don’t dare come in because of their allergies. Then we are happy to meet them outside the store to give them what they want. Runa Welle has many poinsettias in the store now in December. Photo: Olaug Bjørneset / news For her, it is important to be able to offer customers the popular Christmas flower. – It is, after all, the old, traditional Christmas flower. So I hope it will continue to live for many years to come, she says.
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Daily goods stores do not sell poinsettias, get applause from the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
