Flu, bronchitis, Covid-19… Viruses are celebrating this year at Christmas. A little-known allergy could also spoil the holidays when it comes to putting presents under the tree. Her name ? The “Christmas tree syndrome”. It is linked to the molds that the fir releases once it is stored inside a room.
When it grows in a natural environment, the fir hosts small fungi in its bark. These micro-organisms thrive in warm air and spread throughout the room. The symptoms are identical to hay fever, namely cough, sinus congestion, runny nose, irritated eyes, rhinitis…
The “Christmas tree syndrome” was revealed by Lawrence Kurlandsky, an allergist, in a study published in the American medical journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. He then wanted to see why respiratory diseases peaked at Christmas. He asked colleagues to provide clippings of pine bark and needles from the Christmas tree they had at home. He and his team found 53 different types of mold present in 23 samples, according to the research.
A syndrome targeting people with an allergic background
“It has previously been suspected that the Christmas tree may cause allergies and allergy-triggered asthma in particular. Prior to this study, it was thought that the pollen from the tree, and even the weed used on trees, could be responsible. Now we know it’s the molds”, specified in 2011 to the DailyMail Adrian Morris.
According to this allergy specialist in Canada, the syndrome would primarily target people who have an allergic background: eczema, asthma or vulnerability to pollen. “About 10% of people with allergic asthma have attacks triggered by moulds, and cladosporium (one of the moulds) is a major culprit,” said Dr Adrian Morris. For some people, the effects of mold can be serious, said the Daily Mail. Indeed, in about one in five hundred people – such as those with weakened immune systems – mold will take hold and grow in their airways.
“If your symptoms get worse in the room where the tree is and especially when you get close to the tree – for example, when removing gifts from it – then it’s safe to say that the allergen at the origin of your problems comes from the tree”, completed on his side in the Daily Mail Dr. Bill Frankland of the London Allergy Clinic.
The alternative of the artificial tree
In case of infection, it is advisable to take antihistamines, which are available in pharmacies, some without a prescription. “Nasal sprays are best because they act directly on the nasal passages where the allergic reaction to mold is triggered,” advocated Dr. Adrian Morris.
To try to reduce the risk of catching this syndrome, it is advisable to “spray with a mild bleach solution, as this will help kill the mold”, still revealed Dr Morris in the DailyMail. “Do this before you bring the tree into the house – and preferably while it’s still wrapped, as this will be easier.” Regular ventilation of the room to renew the air is also recommended, as against the various viruses.
The other option is to settle for an artificial tree. “Artificial trees are a safe option for allergy sufferers because they are made of plastic,” Dr. Morris recalled. “They won’t grow mold and dust mites (another common allergy trigger) won’t build up on them when thrown in the attic after Christmas.”