Your Christmas Tree and Decorations Could Be Triggering Your Allergies; Here's How to Prevent It

allergies Christmas tree holiday decorations Christmas decorations Professor Michael Rudenko London Allergy and Immunology Centre Christmas ornaments Dr J. Allen Meadows American College of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Dr. Kara Wada Wexner Medical Center vinegar and water solution Dr. Sharmilee M. Nyenhuis University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System dust mites molds

By Lilian Scott , Parent Herald Dec 09, 04:50 am

Christmas may not be the most wonderful time of the year for some people who develop an unpleasant allergic reaction. While some people attribute these allergies to the weather, experts suggest that it may be triggered by the Christmas trees and other decorations displayed at home during this festive time.

Professor Michael Rudenko of the London Allergy and Immunology Centre revealed that Christmas ornaments, especially the old and dusty decorations hidden away for most of the year, contain dust mites that can cause allergies and asthma attacks. However, even new trees and decorations are prone to mold and fungi formation that can lead to allergic rhinitis, a lot of sneezing, and an itchy or blocked nose, among other symptoms.

Here are some ways to prevent an allergic reaction from Christmas trees and holiday decorations:

1. Clean the decors before putting them up.

Before putting any Christmas decorations on display, it makes a lot of sense to thoroughly wipe these clean with a damp cloth to get rid of the dust mites. If necessary, use a vacuum cleaner for those hard-to-reach places on the tree and then wash off other pieces of the ornaments that will not rust or bear water damage.

If you're putting up a real tree, these come with allergens as well since molds will grow into anything organic. Dr. J. Allen Meadows of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology said that whether it's a natural or artificial tree, he makes it a habit to leave it outside of his house for at least a day to "air it out." He also makes use of a leaf blower for "blasting mold or dust" before he brings stuff inside for the decoration.

2. Cover up when putting Christmas stuff for display.

Dr. Kara Wada of the Wexner Medical Center recommends covering up while decorating your house. She said that wearing long sleeves and gloves would protect the skin from the sap and needle pricks of the tree. After decorating, you'll need to change into new clothes and dispose of what you've worn in the washer, so you don't spread the allergens around the house, in case it's on your shirt or pants.

Since you're likely to have stacks of face masks at home, put this on as well when you're unpacking and setting up the decorations. Face masks effectively reduce flare-ups due to dust mites and molds.

3. Use a vinegar and water solution.

Dr. Sharmilee M. Nyenhuis of the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System recommends having a 50-50 vinegar and water solution to spray on the tree from time to time. This will easily kill the molds that form on the leaves and branches. The expert also suggests avoiding decorating too early if there's someone at home prone to allergy attacks because molds will start to build up around the decorations within a week of your setup.

4. Change your old storage containers.

If you're still using cardboard boxes to store these decorations, it might be time for an upgrade and look for storage solutions that will keep the dust mites off. If the allergy attacks worsen, consider moving the tree outside to avoid the allergy build-up and just bring it back inside before the children open their presents.

If the situation doesn't change, this might be your cue to pack the decorations as soon as possible, even if it's not yet Christmas. At the risk of ruining your holidays, no decorations might be best in this case.