If you've been suffering from allergies in 2015, take condolence in the fact that you're not alone. It's been one of the worst allergy seasons in recent years, and it all started last winter when heavy snow pushed spring pollen well into the dry summer.
For many who thought winter weather would bring their nasal passages comfort, think again. Mold is an aggressive allergen that affects most people during the cold winter months, especially around the holidays. The culprit may be the Christmas tree in your living room.
"Once you get the tree in the house you start having congestion, runny nose, it's like a cold. But it's an allergic reaction to the tree," said Dr. Mark Castellaw of Baptist Medical Group.
This is known as "Christmas Tree Syndrome" and Castellaw says that within a couple of weeks of putting up a Christmas tree, you could begin to sneeze and wheeze. The symptoms can be brought on by real and fake trees alike.
Castellaw says that "it's very important to take the [fake] tree outside and get any debris and seal it good before you put in the attic." During the year, fake trees collect dust and dirt, which trigger allergic reactions.
If your mind is set on a real tree, Castellaw suggests to "wash them off and blow them off with a leaf blower. What most people are allergic to is the mold that is on the leaves of evergreen trees."
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