CLEVELAND, OH (CLEVELAND CLINIC) - Is your Christmas tree making you cough and sneeze? Since real and artificial trees can carry things like dust and mold, you could be experiencing what some people call Christmas Tree Syndrome.
Although being allergic to pine trees is relatively uncommon, there could be other allergens lurking. Allergy specialists say real trees can have weed pollen and mold. Even taking in the comforting pine smell can irritate your sinuses and lungs because of the chemical compounds present. If your family goes the artificial route, doctors add allergens like dust and mold can build up on the tree in storage. If the tree's already up and you're noticing your allergies worsen, getting an air purifier, as well as traditional allergy medicines, can help.
"For symptom management, things like over-the-counter nasal steroids, nasal antihistamines, or oral antihistamines can help with some of those symptoms," stated Dr. DeVon Preston, Cleveland Clinic.
Doctor Preston adds it's probably best to get rid of real trees soon after the holiday since mold can continue to grow once they're indoors. Artificial trees and other holiday decorations should be stored in an airtight container to help keep them free of dust and mold.
