Allergic to Christmas tree?

[anewvance]

Yikes, I think i'm allergic to our Christmas tree. We got it yesterday, we went to 2 different Home Depots, the first one was out of 6 feet trees in general. The second one had plenty of the Frasier Firs left. We have always gotten a Douglas Fir but settled for the Frasier Fir.

Ever since we got it home, my eyes & nose have been itchy as well as my arms and neck. I am not allergic to much of anything so this is odd for me. What the heck do I do? Just deal with it? We waited so long to get a tree this year because we were putting down wood laminate in our dining room and living room, we usually buy our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. And it's so pretty and nice and decorated, I don't want to have to get rid of it. Suggestions? Thanks.

 

[Christine]

Christmas Tree allergies aren't that uncommon.

There is probably a lot of mold/pollens/spores/dust, etc that are on that tree from it being bundled up, trucked, stored for so long. I always feel irritated when I get a fresh tree. Hopefully it will go a way in a few days.

I've heard that it is good to "rinse" them before you decorate them but it's probably too late for that?

 

[luvwinnie]

This is one of the reasons we decided to get an artificial tree this year.

 

[PrincessV]

Yikes, I think i'm allergic to our Christmas tree. We got it yesterday, we went to 2 different Home Depots, the first one was out of 6 feet trees in general. The second one had plenty of the Frasier Firs left. We have always gotten a Douglas Fir but settled for the Frasier Fir.

Ever since we got it home, my eyes & nose have been itchy as well as my arms and neck. I am not allergic to much of anything so this is odd for me. What the heck do I do? Just deal with it? We waited so long to get a tree this year because we were putting down wood laminate in our dining room and living room, we usually buy our tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. And it's so pretty and nice and decorated, I don't want to have to get rid of it. Suggestions? Thanks.

Hi there - your question jumped out at me, as I've been allergic to Christmas trees all my life. They all get me to a certain extent, but the Fraziers were by far the worst. Unfortunately, I can only think of two solutions:
1. Ditch the tree
2. Start taking Benydryl to get through the season.

Me, I finally caved and bought a really pretty fake tree 3 years ago... I can't even tell you how much more fun the holiday season is without sneezing, wheezing and itching all through it! Totally makes up for the "wrong" feeling of not going out to get a tree each year.

 

[Evil Genius]

Hi there - your question jumped out at me, as I've been allergic to Christmas trees all my life. They all get me to a certain extent, but the Fraziers were by far the worst. Unfortunately, I can only think of two solutions:
1. Ditch the tree
2. Start taking Benydryl to get through the season.

I agree with these solutions

I have the same allergy and yes you do have to get that tree out of your house. I hope you feel better!!

 

[bananiem]

I take Claritin for spring allergies and for the 3 weeks we have a Christmas tree in the house.

 

[minkydog]

Dh has a lot of allergies and lung issues, but never had a problem with Christmas trees. Last year some kind soul sent us a beautiful wreath from Maine. When I opened the box on the kitchen table, DH suddenly became congested, started sneezing, then wheezing, then c/o chest pain. Holy allergic reaction, Batman! I immediately put that wreath outside and dealt with DH. Obviously, we will never have another live tree, nor will we decorate with live boughs. That scared the snot out of me!

I guess in your situation it depends on your tolerance for congestion, itching, runny eyes and stuffy head. If you can put up with that and you're not wheezing, then keep the tree( kinda like a person with cat allergies puts up with the cat ). Personally,I'd get the tree out of the house. No reason to put up with an allergy that might precipitate a crisis.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

I think real and fake both bother me, Both can collect mold or mildew, and dust! I would clean anything you bring in just in case it is that.

 

[dodukes]

Yep, been there, every year since we've been getting a real tree, but its not bad enough to warrant not getting one and i usually seem to be better after a week, so i just keep it and avoid touching it too much....

 

[Jpgirl]

Intrestingly there was a bit in a column today on this very subject. The person sprayed the tree with Veggie wash and left it out side for a day or two then rinsed it with water and let it dry outside for a day and she had no problems with he rallergies this year. I'm allergic to our fake tree. It gathers dust, even though we wrap the limbs and parts in garbage bags before we box it every year after Christmas.

 

[Jrsy Boy]

I have also heard that Christmas trees are sometimes sprayed with artificial scent, which may be what is affecting you. Heck, who knows what may be sprayed on the trees or what may collect on them during shipping and storage. I think I may start washing my trees after reading this thread.