Some people feel ill around Christmas trees. It’s not that they are Ebenezer Scrooges. They have Christmas tree syndrome.
Christmas tree syndrome is a form of seasonal allergy exacerbation. Most of us think of allergies as a spring and fall problem, but they can occur all year round.
“When people bring a real or artificial tree into their home and notice some worsening of their allergy symptoms, it’s sometimes referred to as ‘Christmas tree syndrome,’” said Dr. DeVon Preston, an allergist.
While it is not recognized as a medical condition, it has been used as a term since 1970. If you went to a doctor and said, “I have Christmas tree syndrome,” they might tell you that’s not a real condition. But, if you said you were having allergies because of the Christmas decorations in your house, they might tell you it’s a common problem.
Activities like holiday travel and turning on your heating for the first time since last year can trigger allergies. Your holiday decorations — both natural and manmade — can also bring allergens into your living space.
The most common symptoms of Christmas tree syndrome are sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes and a scratchy throat. If you get a rash on your hands that you don’t normally see with allergies, we recommend Googling images of poison oak and poison ivy to learn if there was oil from one of the plants on your tree. You may want to call a doctor if the results are inconclusive. Pine sap can cause dermatitis, a red, itchy rash. It gets worse every time you are exposed to it. If your rash is becoming worse, you should consult a doctor.
While pine allergies exist, they are quite rare. Whether a tree is coming from outdoors, your basement or the garage, it can be carrying things like weed pollen, rosin, dust mites, insect droppings, pesticides and mold into your living room! Other decorations can upset your respiratory health as well. Flocking and scented candles can be harsh on the lungs.
At this point, your tree is most likely already up. If it isn’t, you can shake it outdoors and even hose it down if you live in a warm enough area for it to dry rather than freeze, and it is not a pre-lit tree. You should also clean your ornaments before hanging them on the tree.
If your decorations are already up, don’t worry! There’re still ways to help yourself! Run an air purifier next to the tree. One of our members swears by this method and claims she never sneezes in her home despite having seasonal allergies. You can also use OTC allergy meds, saline eye drops and nose sprays for the rest of the holiday season — the decorations won’t be up for much longer. Finally, take the tree and other decorations down promptly after the holidays. Don’t leave them up until February. They might look pretty, but they should be removed from your space if they make you ill.
