It’s one of the highlights of the holiday season: bringing the Christmas tree into the living room, decorating it with ornaments and candles, transforming the home into a festive wonderland. Yet, for some allergy sufferers, this cherished tradition marks the beginning of a challenging season. The tree itself may trigger hay fever-like symptoms, breathing difficulties, or even asthma attacks – something commonly referred to as “Christmas Tree Syndrome.”
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What causes Christmas tree allergy?
Christmas tree allergies often stem from unexpected culprits, like mould on the branches, pollen on the needles, or even chemicals from cultivation – all combining to create an unwelcome holiday surprise.
Studies have shown that Christmas trees can carry hidden pollen grains, including grass and ragweed pollen. These allergens often stick to the tree’s needles and branches while it’s growing during the summer and fall. When the tree is brought indoors, the pollen is gradually released into the air as the tree dries out (1).
Most Christmas trees are cut weeks in advance and stored in damp conditions, creating the perfect environment for mould to grow. Once inside a warm home, moulds like Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, or Alternaria multiply rapidly, causing mould spore concentrations to soar from 800 to over 5,000 spores per cubic meter in just two weeks (2,3). According to the Robert Koch Institute, 5 in 100 people are allergic to mould, with the number rising to 10 in 100 among asthma sufferers. Children are especially at risk – nearly 1 in 10 are sensitive to mould, and repeated exposure can lead to allergies (3).
Even the fun of decorating the Christmas tree can become a problem. The German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB) highlighted potential risks associated with Christmas decorations. Paraffin candles, for instance, release soot and solvents into the air, which can cause headaches, skin rashes, or even asthma attacks. Traditional tinsel made from foil often contains lead, a harmful heavy metal (4).
Alternative options
An artificial tree might seem like a convenient alternative, but it often comes with its own set of problems. They can contain various plastics, like polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or polypropylene, along with metals such as iron, lead, or barium. The risk comes not only from touching the tree, but also from airborne allergen sources like dust, dust mites, and mould, which can trigger asthma and other allergy symptoms (5,6). To make matters worse, most artificial trees are imported from overseas, leaving behind a significant carbon footprint. For the environmental impact of the transport alone to balance out, you’d need to reuse the tree for at least ten Christmases (7).
Here are 5 easy tips for reducing allergen exposure when handling and storing Christmas trees (8):
- Freshen up your tree before bringing it inside: Rinse the live tree to remove dirt, mould, and pollen. Make sure to let the tree dry thoroughly before bringing it indoors, since mould spores thrive on moisture. Dust the artificial tree and ornaments, using a vacuum, leaf blower, or air compressor to remove debris.
- Pick your decorations with care: Consider using decorations made from paper, straw, wood, glass, or salt dough for an allergy-friendly Christmas tree.
- Protect your skin while decorating: Wear long clothing and gloves to minimise exposure to allergens, dust, and sap. Remember to change your clothes afterward.
- Store your Christmas decorations wisely: Store artificial trees and ornaments in plastic containers to prevent mould and dust buildup.
- Keep the tree indoors for a short time only: Dispose of live trees soon after the holidays to prevent prolonged exposure to allergens.
Conclusion
A Christmas tree brings warmth and cheer to the season, but for some, it can also introduce unwanted allergens. By taking a few thoughtful precautions, you can enjoy the beauty of the season without the discomfort of sneezes and sniffles. With a little extra care, everyone can keep the holidays merry, bright, and allergy-free.
References
- Wyse DM, Malloch D. Christmas tree allergy: mould and pollen studies. Can Med Assoc J. 1970 Dec 5;103(12):1272–6.
- Kurlandsky LE, Przepiora J, Riddell SW, Kiska DL. Identification of mold on seasonal indoor coniferous trees. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2011 Jun;106(6):543–4.
- Schimmelpilzbelastung in Innenräumen – Befunderhebung, gesundheitliche Bewertung und Maßnahmen. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2007 Oct 5;50:1308–23.
- Deutsche Allergie- und Asthmabund (DAAB). In [cited 2024 Nov 22]. Available from: https://www.daab.de/atemwege/duftstoffe-als-ausloeser/gesundheitliche-aspekte
- Trillium Creek Dermatology. In [cited 2024 Nov 22]. Available from: https://www.trilliumcreekohio.com/you-may-be-allergic-to-your-christmas-tree/
- National Asthma Council Australia. In 2021 [cited 2024 Nov 22]. Available from: https://www.nationalasthma.org.au/living-with-asthma/resources/patients-carers/factsheets/christmas-trees-and-asthma
- European Centre for Allergy Research Foundation (ECARF). In 2018 [cited 2024 Nov 22]. Available from: https://www.ecarf.org/allergien-unterm-weihnachtsbaum/
- Wada Kara. The Ohio State University Wexiner Medical Center. In 2017 [cited 2024 Nov 22]. Available from: https://health.osu.edu/wellness/prevention/what-is-christmas-tree-syndrome