Many allergy sufferers experience a worsening of symptoms during the holiday season. | stock photo
Many allergy sufferers experience a worsening of symptoms during the holiday season. | stock photo
This time of year is supposed to be a celebration of joy with friends and family, which often involves bringing a Christmas tree indoors.
But for allergy sufferers, Christmas trees can actually be a source of irritation and flareups. The term 'Christmas tree syndrome' has been coined to refer to allergic reactions caused by Christmas trees, a problem that arises even with artificial trees.
According to Dr. Kara Wada of The Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, allergy sufferers often have symptoms that take a turn for the worse during the holiday season. However, pine pollen on the Christmas tree, a familiar allergen at other times of the year, is not the chief irritant. The problem is usually mold, which can appear on branches, and some lingering pollen from the pine or other plants as well.
Having an artificial tree doesn't necessarily eliminate symptoms either. It turns out that mold can be found on those as well, depending on whether they were stored in a damp basement, humid garage or attic.
If you suffer from allergies, be sure to hose down the tree before you bring it inside. This allows you to wash off mold, pollen and dirt, according to Wexner Medical Center. After the tree is washed, leave it in the garage or outside for a few days so it can dry out.
Another suggestion is to take advantage of a service many tree lots offer that uses a machine to shake off dirt and dead needles before bringing your tree home.
Be careful how you store Christmas ornaments as well, because they can attract mold formation and dust buildup, too.
“More than 50 kinds of mold were found on samples researchers brought in from their own Christmas trees for a 2011 study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology,” Wada wrote on the Wexner Medical Center website.
Wada suggests that you can alleviate allergic reactions associated with 'Christmas tree syndrome' by using nasal washes to clear the sinuses and to soothe inflammation. You can also use allergy drops, if your eyes are affected, and long-lasting, nondrowsy antihistamines for sneezing or runny noses. Consider using nasal steroid sprays for stuffy noses and hydrocortisone cream for rashes. However, you may need a prescription steroid ointment or oral steroid for a rash.
To keep your sinuses in check during the holidays and throughout the year, please visit Dr. Daniel Mongiardo Sleep & Sinus Center.
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