What would Christmas be without this beautiful tree that sits in the middle of your living room? If this tradition full of magic enchants young and old, it can sometimes be the cause of certain disappointments, such as “fir tree syndrome”. Don’t worry, there’s nothing to spoil the party! Especially since it is possible to prevent this unpleasant allergic phenomenon.
Allergies: why can your tree cause them?
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You may not know it, but your tree can cause allergies. Although it is rare to be allergic to the tree itself, as Dr. DeVon Preston, an American allergist, points out on the Cleveland Clinic website, the smell of fir can nevertheless irritate your sinuses and lungs because of the presence of terpene, an allergenic chemical compound.
Also, your tree harbors many allergens from outside. Dr DeVon Preston lists pollen, rosin, mites, insect droppings, pesticides and even mold. Moreover, a study published in 2011 in the American journal Annal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunologyhad noted the presence of 53 different types of fungi on 28 trees analyzed.
“Fir tree syndrome”: what are the signs to spot?
Sneezing, runny nose or blocked, irritated eyes, coughtearing, sleep disorders, fatiguedifficulty breathing… The symptoms of “fir tree syndrome” are similar to a seasonal allergy. But it could also cause respiratory problems, such as asthma. On the Cleveland Clinic website, Dr. DeVon Preston reminds us that a serious allergic reaction (shortness of breath, swelling of the tongue, increased heart rate, etc.) requires emergency treatment.
How to prevent “fir tree syndrome”?
To avoid “tree syndrome”, the American allergist recommends shaking your Christmas tree well outside and cleaning it with a water jet if possible before installing it in your home, in order to reduce the presence of allergens. He also recommends covering yourself with long clothing, or even gloves, when decorating your tree. Another tip: change clothes regularly: “The longer you go without showering or changing clothes, the longer environmental allergens stay on your body.”we can read on the Cleveland Clinic website. The doctor also recommends using air purifiers and getting rid of your Christmas tree as soon as the holidays are over.
Another possibility: opt for an artificial Christmas tree. Be careful though, because they contain “plastics and PVC and one of the main plasticizers of these materials is phthalate”explained Bryan Cummings, researcher at the College of Engineering at Drexel University (United States), in the columns of HuffPost. They also contain flame retardants, some of which are compounds “may be neurotoxins or carcinogens with long-term exposure.” So many substances can evaporate into the air and can therefore be breathed at home, even if these are not the only products to have this effect: “Are artificial trees the main source of this pollution? Probably not”said Bryan Cummings.
