Dec. 7, 2021 — Actual and synthetic bushes can set off asthma and allergy flare-ups that make the vacations a distress for some individuals.
Christmas tree allergy symptoms — triggered by common varieties like fir, hemlock, pine, or spruce — are uncommon. However there are different allergens within the combine that may be triggering for individuals.
That’s as a result of actual bushes usually journey lengthy distances to achieve your native tree lot. Earlier than the journey, they’re sprayed down with water, permitting mold to develop alongside the best way, says J. Allen Meadows, MD, previous president of the American Faculty of Allergy, Bronchial asthma & Immunology and an allergist at AllerVie Well being in Alabama.
Synthetic bushes, in the meantime, can launch nasty chemical compounds that set off allergy or asthma attacks proper after they’re unwrapped, Meadows says. Annually after that, they will collect mud in storage that additionally causes signs to flare once they’re unpacked. Packing every little thing away in luggage and bins which can be as hermetic as potential might cut back mud however not eradicate it.
Stopping Signs
“Whether or not it’s synthetic or a stay tree, I prefer to air it out outdoors earlier than I set it up in my home,” Meadows says. A leaf blower turns out to be useful, too, for blasting mould or mud off the tree earlier than you convey it indoors.
Timing additionally issues. In case you can maintain off organising a tree till after the primary arduous frost the place you reside, then you definately gained’t threat pollen or ragweed getting on the tree once you put it outdoor to air out, he says.
And with an actual tree, you want to withstand the urge to place it up proper after Thanksgiving, says Sharmilee M. Nyenhuis, MD, an asthma, allergy, and immunology specialist on the College of Illinois Hospital and Well being Sciences System. That’s as a result of mould begins to construct up after a few week inside your house.
In case you can’t stand the considered ready till mid-December to place up an actual tree, you may additionally have the ability to lower down on mould by spraying it with an answer of half water, half vinegar, she suggests. A vinegar answer may take away mould from faux bushes.
The identical masks that individuals have been sporting in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic may come in useful for organising and adorning the tree, Nyenhuis says. Sporting a masks to unpack ornaments, arrange and enhance the tree, and deal with another seasonal decorations you are taking out of storage will help reduce symptom flares brought on by mould and dirt.
And you too can take steps to forestall bronchial asthma and allergy assaults by working along with your physician to overview and revise your remedy as wanted to deal with any publicity to mould or mud from the tree, Meadows says.
“The underside line is that if your bronchial asthma and allergy symptoms are nicely managed, it’s best to have the ability to tolerate locations with stay bushes,” he says.
