Instead of offering relief from allergens, artificial Christmas trees can actually exacerbate them for some people, a reaction known as “Christmas tree syndrome.”
Christmas tree syndrome is real and describes a reaction that people can have to fake and real trees, reported WFAA.
Most people are not allergic to the trees themselves, but to microscopic mold spores that grow on the trees, terpenes that give the trees their scent, or pollen.
A 2011 study from the SUNY Upstate Medical University that was published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology discovered that Christmas trees could carry roughly 50 types of mold. Of these, two-thirds can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose, according to the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA).
Despite artificial trees not possessing these organic compounds directly, reactions persist for some people.
According to UCLA Health and the ACTA, fake trees can collect dust, mold, or other allergens while stored between seasons. Also, some of the materials used in manufacturing the trees can cause sinus irritation in certain individuals.
To help reduce instances of allergens released in the air, whether your tree is fake or real, remove as much debris as possible. According to the ACTA, rinsing your tree with a hose and letting it dry for a few days before bringing it inside can offer allergy sufferers substantial relief.
Alternatively, they suggest using an air compressor to blow off loose debris rather than having to dry out the tree after rinsing.
According to WFAA, experts also recommend:
- Opening an artificial Christmas tree outside and then vacuuming it or shaking it off before bringing it inside
- Using a soft cloth to wipe off dust from an artificial Christmas tree and ornaments
- Using an airtight container to store an artificial Christmas tree
- Using common allergy treatments
