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
The holiday season is often a joyous occasion for many families as they celebrate with a decorated Christmas tree in the home and a collection of presents underneath the tree.
However, Christmas trees can also be a source of discomfort for allergy sufferers. The term 'Christmas tree syndrome' has been coined to describe allergic reactions caused by Christmas trees -- both real and artificial.
According to Dr. Kara Wada of The Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center, a lot of people's allergy symptoms take a turn for the worse during the holiday season. In December, it's not just the pine pollen on the Christmas tree that is the culprit, though that's a familiar allergen at other times of the year. The critical irritant is usually mold on the branches and some lingering pollen from the pine or other plants as well. Either one can cause allergies to flare up.
To minimize allergic reactions, Wada suggests hosing down the tree before bringing it inside to wash off mold, pollen and dirt. After the tree is washed, let it dry out in the garage or outside if it is warm. If you suffer from allergies, consider using a service that some tree lots offer where a machine shakes off dirt and dead needles before you bring your tree home.
The proper storage of Christmas ornaments can also help avoid mold formation and dust buildup. If you have an artificial Christmas tree, that could have mold as well, depending on whether it was stored in a a damp basement, humid garage or attic. Artificial trees tend to collect dust as well.
“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 allergy symptoms related to Christmas tree syndrome by using nasal washes to clear sinuses and to soothe inflammation, allergy drops for eyes, long-lasting nondrowsy antihistamines for sneezing or runny noses, nasal steroid sprays for stuffy noses and hydrocortisone cream for rashes. However, for rashes, you may find that you need a prescription steroid ointment or oral steroid.
To learn more about how to keep your sinuses in check during the holiday season and throughout the year, please visit Indianapolis Sinus Center.
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