Breathe Better This Christmas: Allergy Tips for Every Home

During the Christmas season, you may believe that a runny or clogged nose, watery and itchy eyes, sneezing, and coughing are symptoms of a cold. Even while the common cold is more common in the winter, your Christmas decorations may also cause these symptoms.

Many people experience unpleasant allergy symptoms around Christmas, according to Professor Michael Rudenko, medical director of the London Allergy and Immunology Centre.

About 35% of people in the USA and the UK are thought to have symptoms similar to a cold or hay fever around Christmas. These are typically seasonal allergies to the dust mites, mold, and pollen that Christmas trees and other decorations introduce into our homes. According to the London Allergy & Immunology Centre, many people develop cold-like symptoms triggered by holiday allergens.

When our bodies overreact to specific things, our immune systems generate antibodies, which leads to allergies. By releasing chemicals, these antibodies “fight” the foreign cells, and it is these chemicals that cause allergic reactions.

Christmas Decor & Dust Mites: The Hidden Trigger

Our Christmas decorations are likely to gather dust for the majority of the year when we store them. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that might cause allergies in certain individuals due to the proteins in their excrement.

About 12 million people in Great Britain suffer from a house dust mite allergy, according to Allergy UK. Dust mites are present in every home, but places that have been left to gather a lot of dust, such Christmas ornaments that have been kept, can cause flare-ups of allergies.

People who have a dust mite allergy often sneeze, have runny or clogged noses, and in more severe cases, feel weak or exhausted, according to research.

An allergy to dust mites is linked to:

• Allergens can cause the narrowing of airways in people with asthma.
• Eczema, often known as dermatitis, is a skin disorder that allergens can aggravate.
• The sinuses, throat, and nose can all be affected by allergic rhinitis, also known as persistent or perennial rhinitis.

Christmas Trees & Asthma Reactions

Real Christmas trees might occasionally cause allergic reactions in some of us, even if they may make us feel festive. Although pine tree allergy, often known as Christmas tree syndrome, is uncommon, the mold, pollen, and dust that accumulate in the trees are slightly more frequent causes of allergies.

There is also a strong link between Christmas trees and allergic reactions in asthmatic individuals since they can introduce these three kinds of allergens into the home. Trees can cause asthma attacks, which narrow the airways and result in wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Mold Spores

Many people have an allergy to Alternaria, a type of mold. This mold spore can begin to grow on a recently planted Christmas tree, according to Rudenko:

“Alternaria is one of the most important among the allergenic fungi,” according to him. Numerous plants and other substrates, such as food and textiles, are affected. Additionally, it is one of the most prevalent types of mold spores that can be discovered in condensation on window frames and in household dust.

“Alternaria is reported to result in allergic rhinitis and asthma in sensitised people.”

We breathe in the mold spores, sometimes known as “seeds,” that are found on Christmas trees. Sneezing, a runny nose, itching, a blocked nose, and dry, cracked skin are all symptoms of mold allergies that are strikingly similar to those of other allergies.

Christmas Tree Pollen

Hay fever, also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a symptom of pollen allergy. When tree and weed pollens are active in the spring and summer, hay fever symptoms typically appear. Christmas trees may still have pollen even though it is dormant during the winter.

Because pollen can easily enter our noses, eyes, and lungs, it can cause allergic reactions in certain people.

Dust Mites

Allergy flare-ups can result from more than just taking our dusty decorations out of storage. On our Christmas trees, we might also introduce a lot of dust mites. Dust mites can infest both artificial and genuine Christmas trees.

The primary cause of persistent or perennial rhinitis is an allergy to house dust mites. Because house dust mites are present throughout the year, this type of rhinitis can occur year-round, unlike hay fever, which might elicit comparable symptoms in specific seasons owing to pollen allergy. In fact, because they spend more time outside during the summer, away from the mites, patients with persistent rhinitis frequently discover that their symptoms worsen in the winter.

If you store an artificial tree each year, be sure to wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove dust before you put it up.

How to Tell If You Have a Christmas Tree Allergy?

It might be challenging to distinguish between dust mite, mold, and pollen allergies due to their similar symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of hay fever or a cold. Although being allergic to the tree itself is considerably less common, this also applies to symptoms of pine tree allergies.

One in five people report having allergic responses to scented candles, according to Allergy Easy. Paraffin wax, which comes from coal, petroleum, or shale oil, is used to make a lot of candles. When lighted, this can produce compounds that are especially dangerous for those who have respiratory issues.

Asthmatics are particularly susceptible to fragranced items, such as scented candles. According to a 2018 study, 64.3% of asthma patients experienced one or more allergy responses after being exposed to fragranced goods.

Tips to Avoid Dusty Decorations:

• When you unpack your decorations, wipe them down with a moist towel.
• When packing your decorations, utilize sealed bags or boxes.
• If a genuine Christmas tree has previously caused you to experience symptoms, get an artificial tree.
• Before bringing the tree inside, hose it down.
• Keep the tree in the coolest section of the house, where spores are less likely to spread.
• If you feel your asthma problems worsening, move the tree outside immediately.

Tips to Avoid Scented Candle-Related Allergies:

• Go scent-free or flame-free. Use beeswax candles, which contain fewer chemicals than paraffin candles.
• Use aromatherapy candles that include plant-based extracts rather than manufactured smells.
• Choose candles made with natural cotton wicks.

Rudenko also recommends those who suffer greatly over Christmas to seek treatment: “There are techniques of both symptomatic treatment and, for persons with severe symptoms, long-term treatments known as desensitization and immunotherapy. These can help to make Christmas the most magical time of the year.”

Final Thoughts

Christmas is a time for joy, comfort, and togetherness — but festive allergies can easily steal the magic. By understanding the hidden triggers like dust mites, mold spores, pollen, and scented candles, you can enjoy the holidays with fewer sniffles and more sparkle. A little preparation goes a long way. Clean your décor, refresh your tree, and choose allergy-friendly alternatives where possible. With the right care, you can protect your health while keeping the season merry, bright, and allergy-light.

For more seasonal wellness guides, visit our Health & Lifestyle blog section.