You've probably already put up your Christmas tree and may find yourself suffering from a runny nose, sinus headaches or general feeling of fatigue. If so, it might be more than just the winter cold. A spike in respiratory-related emergency room visits around Christmas caused experts to take a closer look at possible related causes.
They discovered that cold, flu, and asthma-type symptoms during the holiday season may have their root cause in Christmas trees. But it's generally not the tree itself that causes these "Real Christmas tree allergies."
Christmas Tree Allergy Symptoms
Christmas trees bring more than just a sense of freshness and Christmas-y fragrance into your home. They can also bring in dust, as well as molds and fungi.
A Christmas tree allergy, or Christmas tree syndrome, is a result of allergic reaction to these allergens which are commonly found in live Christmas trees. This reaction can go from mild to severe in a hurry, causing upper respiratory issues. Symptoms of a Christmas tree allergy include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Sneezing
- Sinusitis
- Watery Eyes
- Swelling of the Throat
- Fatigue
What Causes Allergies?
According to the University of Georgia College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, no one perfect tree exists for people with allergies since all real trees hold some allergens. Dust, pollen, and mold are the most common culprits.
Studies have discovered more than 50 different kinds of mold on Christmas tree samples, many of which are known to cause allergic reactions. Most of these allergenic mold samples were types of leaf mold, most often associated with decaying leaf and vegetable matter. When placed in a house with warm lights and central heating, the mold spores flourish, quickly raising the spore count in the air higher the longer the tree remains in the house.
Artificial Christmas trees can also pose problems because they can collect dust and mold during storage. These should also be properly cleaned before storing and when setting it up.
What to Do
The American Christmas Tree Association has some useful tips for making sure your Christmas tree is clean before it enters you home.
- Shake Off the Pollen: The first thing to do is to shake the tree to rid it of dust and traces of pollen. Some Christmas tree farms or lots have a mechanical tree-shaker that can take care of this. If not, you can shake the tree from side to side or use a leaf blower to remove visible pollen grains.
- Wash Down the Tree: Perform a water rinse to eliminate the last of the dust, as well as insects and debris. Be aware that high water pressure can cause you to lose needles from your tree. Then shake it again to remove excess water.
- Let it Dry: Be sure to let the tree dry completely (best overnight) before bringing it inside your home.
- Check the Stand: Often overlooked, a crusty tree stand can contribute to the problem. Be sure to wash and dry it well before placing your tree in it.
- Change the Water Regularly: Water allowed to stand for days can be a harbor for fungi and bacterial growth, so it's a good idea to change it every 3-4 days.
Add an Air Purifier to the Room
While dusting, shaking, and washing Christmas trees removes a significant amount of irritants, you can always count on a few rogue allergens to be left behind. Placing an air purifier in the room with your Christmas tree can help you maintain a healthy air quality by removing mold, pollen, dust, and other airborne irritants from the environment.
If you are concerned about off-gassing from your artificial tree, air purifiers designed for airborne chemical removal can help combat toxic gases emitted by these synthetic evergreens. Another great option for combatting off-gassing is the Winix PlasmaWave 5300-2 Air Cleaner. Featuring Winix's unique PlasmaWave Technology, it attacks odors and gases at a molecular level, neutralizing them and improving your home's air quality.
Don’t Forget About Other Holiday Décor
Christmas trees aren’t the only potential source of allergy triggers in your holiday arsenal. Ornaments, wreaths, nutcrackers, and other holiday decorations that have been sitting in storage also need to be cleaned before they can safely deck your halls.
- Wipe the Ornaments: Use a soft dust cloth to wipe plastic, metal, and glass ornaments along with artificial wreaths before hanging them.
- Clean Your Linens: If you have fabric decorations such as holiday table runners, linens, or blankets, wash them according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure they are clean and refreshed.
- Consider Candles: Holiday candles and plug-in scent fresheners can also be a source of irritation for allergy-sufferers. Soy and beeswax candles produce less soot than regular wax candles.
- Add a Doormat: Holidays or not, adding a doormat helps friends and family leave allergens outside when they wipe their feet. Having folks remove their shoes further reduces spreading them throughout your home.
Storing Holiday Trees and Decorations
Get a head start on combating next year’s Christmas allergies by properly storing your artificial tree and holiday decorations. Dust or wash them to remove any debris and allergens that may have settled on them during use.
Use sealed plastic containers, instead of cardboard boxes, to store the tree and other holiday decorations. While boxes may seem to be more eco-friendly, this actually encourages the growth of mold, mildew, and other allergens, especially when decorations are stored in unheated/cooled spaces like basements, garages, and attics. If you need to use your original artificial tree box, place the tree in a sealed plastic bag before storing it in the box.
Summary
A popular misconception is that, what is known as "Christmas Tree Syndrome" is caused by the real trees people bring into their homes. While some people are allergic to various types of trees, allergy symptoms are more likely to be caused by mold, dust, pollen, and other allergens that come inside on the three.
Shaking, washing, and drying your tree can rid it of many irritants, and proper cleaning of the stand, changing the water, and attention to other decorations can go a long way to preventing allergic reactions.
If you’ve used these or any other tips, please share them with us in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter. We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!
