Are You Allergic to Christmas Trees?

Do your allergies and asthma become worse with the holiday season? Terpenes give the Christmas tree it’s scent and are a common trigger to allergies and allergic response. Additionally, conifers or evergreens are host to over 50 kinds of molds and mold spores which can trigger respiratory illness. Our well heated homes provide an ideal environment for molds and their spores to proliferate. Additionally, pine sap can be double trouble for allergy sufferers. Pine sap can also trap all kinds of pollen from the outdoors. This pollen enters your home with the Christmas tree. 

How do you prevent Christmas Tree Syndrome? At The Air Cleaner Store, we offer some practical solutions to address this problem. Consider spraying the tree outdoors with a mild solution of bleach to kill the molds. Then, hose it down to wash off the bleach solution along with some of the molds and pollen. Allow the tree to dry outdoors. Keep the tree’s base in water always.  Limit the length of time the tree is in your home.

Artificial Christmas trees can be used as an alternative, but may also be problematic. Most artificial trees are made with PVC, which can off gas toxins into your home. Additionally, it is important to clean the artificial tree and its ornaments every year, as they too can harbor molds and dust mites. Before assembling the artificial tree, wipe down its branches with a damp cloth to help control these allergens. When storing the tree, wrap it well and keep it in a dry place.

Consider purchasing a premium air cleaner. At The Air Cleaner Store, we sell the Austin Air HealthMate Plus.  The HealthMate Plus has over 60 square feet of medical grade HEPA to remove pollen, dust mites, molds and pet dander from the air. Additionally, this air cleaner has a special carbon filter with over 15 pounds of specially blended activated charcoal to remove odors and VOCs including terpenes from the air. The HealthMate Plus will help you fight allergies, asthma and Christmas Tree Syndrome.