If you constantly find yourself catching a cold during the winter holidays, you may be allergic to Christmas trees. More precisely, your allergy might be related to something associated with Christmas trees rather than the tree itself.

Many individuals believe that plant-based allergies are exclusive to warm weather. However, there are several reasons why your holiday tree can be the cause of your flu-like symptoms., AFC Urgent Care West Springfield has created a guide to help you understand what exactly is going on with you and your tree. 

Symptoms of a Christmas Tree Allergy:

When exposed to a specific allergen for the first time, you may not immediately experience symptoms. It takes time for the immune system to develop antibodies in response to the trigger. In a study, most patients developed symptoms within 24 hours, but 15% did not show a reaction for several days. The sensitization process can sometimes take months or even years, explaining why allergies may develop later in life.

Once you develop an allergy to Christmas trees, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Itchy eyes and nose
• Dark circles under your eyes
• Skin rash

Causes of a Christmas Tree Allergy:

1. Mold and Pollen:

• Mold spores attach to live pine trees due to moisture build-up on leaves, branches, and bark.
• Pine trees can carry 53 different types of mold, with many identified as potential respiratory allergens.
• Apartments with live Christmas trees showed a 6-fold increase in airborne mold.

2. Pine Scent:

• The characteristic pine scent comes from terpenes in tree sap, which can cause irritation and allergies.

3. Dust Mites:

• Common triggers for respiratory allergies, dust mites can be carried on live and artificial trees.

4. Insect Droppings:

• Pests like cockroaches can leave droppings on both live and artificial trees, triggering allergies.

5. Chemical Treatments:

• Chemicals used on Christmas tree farms may cause symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing.

6. Nut Allergens:

• Allergies to pine nuts, produced by some pine tree species, can also occur.

Preventing Christmas Tree Allergies:

• Avoiding live trees may be the most effective way to control Christmas tree allergies.
• Shake the tree to remove debris before bringing it inside.
• Hose down live trees and thoroughly dry them to reduce mold.
• Spray live trees with a dilute chlorine bleach solution to kill mold spores.
• Wipe artificial trees and ornaments with a dry cloth to keep them dust-free.
• Dispose of live trees promptly to prevent continued mold reproduction.
• Store artificial trees in a dry, cool space, sealed in a box or plastic bag to reduce dust accumulation.
• Inspect stored trees regularly for infestations.
• Wear a mask when retrieving artificial trees and ornaments from storage.

AFC Urgent Care West Springfield has you covered this holiday season!

If you think your Christmas tree is causing you to be ill, don’t hesitate to stop by! AFC Urgent Care West Springfield will confirm if it's true or if it’s something unrelated. We have your back! 

We welcome you seven days a week and gladly accept a wide range of insurance plans. Whether you prefer to walk in or schedule an appointment at your convenience, feel free to reach out to us by phone. Don't forget to explore our user-friendly online payment system—it takes just a few clicks to check in and check out! Wishing you happy holidays and good health!