There’s nothing more festive than bringing a Christmas tree into your home and seeing it illuminated with twinkling lights and ornaments. But for some, that gorgeous tree can trigger allergy symptoms. While this is somewhat uncommon, several factors in your Christmas tree could contribute to this happening.
Allergies to the Christmas Tree Itself
Allergies caused by Christmas trees actually have a name: Christmas Tree Syndrome. The part of the tree that causes symptoms isn’t the pollen, as you might expect with a plant allergy. The trees that are most commonly used as Christmas trees—pine, fir, hemlock and spruce—release their pollen in the spring, not December. Instead, it’s the sap.
Terpenes are found in the tree’s sap, and they’re the chemical compound that gives Christmas trees their distinct piney smell. If you have a terpene allergy, you’ll probably notice an allergic reaction on your skin after coming in contact with the tree. Inhaling the scent may also trigger allergy symptoms in the sinuses, like sneezing and a runny nose. Moreover, the reaction may be more severe after bringing the tree inside, as you’re in closer quarters and the air is drier, circulating throughout the house and concentrating and spreading the irritant.
Allergies Carried by the Christmas Tree
Terpene allergies and pine pollen allergies are not very common. What is more likely to be the cause of your allergy symptoms, if you’ve been sniffling after bringing the tree indoors, is that your tree has carried some other irritant into your home.
Mold is commonly found on Christmas trees. One 2011 SUNY study found that Christmas trees can carry as many as 50 different types of mold, and mold is a well-known cause of allergy symptoms. During the process of moving the tree indoors and decorating it, mold spores will be agitated and released into the air.
Your tree might also harbor fugitive dust mites. These are common triggers for respiratory allergies, which are characterized by symptoms like coughing and a sore throat.
The last potential threat your Christmas tree might contain is chemical treatments. If the farm that grew your tree used chemical treatments like pesticides, weed control or other treatments, those chemicals could remain on the tree and cause allergic reactions.
Other Things that Could Cause Allergies
One final thing to consider if your Christmas tree is making you sneeze is the decorations you’ve put on it. During the long storage through the summer months, your Christmas ornaments and decorations have probably accumulated a lot of dust. It’s a good idea to wipe these items down before setting them up in your home to reduce the amount of dust you release into the environment.
Don’t let allergy symptoms stop you from enjoying your Christmas tree and the festive season. Come see us at North Alabama ENT Associates to discuss symptom management and allergy treatment.