What “Christmas tree syndrome” is
Some people start sneezing, get a blocked nose or itchy eyes, or find their asthma flares in the days after the tree comes in. The cause is rarely the tree itself. Trees aren’t releasing pollen in December. The usual culprit is mould growing on the bark and needles.
A warm living room suits mould. In one study, mould spores in a room rose from about 800 per cubic metre in the first few days to about 5,000 after two weeks with a real tree.
Before it comes in
- Shake the tree well outside to loosen dust, needles and spores.
- If you can, hose it down and let it dry fully in a shed or garage before bringing it in.
- Wear gloves and long sleeves when handling it. Sap can irritate the skin.
- Wipe stored decorations outside before putting them up. Attics gather dust and mould.
While it is up
- Put the tree up later and take it down earlier. Under two weeks is a good aim.
- Keep the room aired and not too warm.
- Vacuum fallen needles often, with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.
- Keep the tree out of bedrooms.
Artificial trees
An artificial tree avoids mould from the forest, but it gathers dust in storage. Wipe it down or give it a shake outside before putting it up, and store it in a sealed bag or box.
Other festive triggers
- Wreaths and garlands made from real greenery can carry mould too.
- Scented candles, open fires and incense irritate the airways.
- Poinsettia sap can irritate skin, especially for people with a latex allergy.
Questions
Can you be allergic to a Christmas tree?
Some people react to the sap or the scent, but most Christmas symptoms come from mould spores on the tree. They rise the longer a real tree stays in a warm room.
Are artificial Christmas trees better for allergies?
They avoid mould from outside, but they collect dust in storage. Clean an artificial tree before putting it up and store it sealed.
How long should a real Christmas tree stay up if I have allergies?
As short a time as you can manage. Mould spores in the room rise steadily after the first few days, so under two weeks is a sensible aim.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about symptoms, talk to your pharmacist or GP.
Further reading
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