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The decorations come out once a year. So does everything that settled on them in storage. If you sneeze every December and blame a cold, the boxes may be part of the story.
Here is an allergist's checklist for the tree, the boxes, the candles, the food and the visit, plus a printable version at the end.
The live tree
Researchers at SUNY Upstate Medical University tested clippings from 28 live Christmas trees and found 53 different molds. Most of them were potential allergens. A warm living room is a good place for mold to grow.
- Wear gloves when you handle the tree, to keep sap off your skin.
- Blow off pollen outside with a leaf blower before the tree comes in.
- Wipe the trunk with lukewarm water and diluted bleach, 1 part bleach to 20 parts water.
- Run a true HEPA air purifier in the same room for what still comes off it.
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Shop the purifierThe artificial tree and the boxes
An artificial tree is not automatically allergy friendly. Artificial trees and ornaments can harbor dust and mold when they are stored badly, and they sit in an attic, basement or garage for eleven months.
- Clean before it goes up, ideally outside or in the garage.
- Use a vacuum with a sealed HEPA system, so the dust stays in the vacuum.
- Pack it away in sealed plastic bins, not cardboard.
- Dry out damp storage. A dehumidifier keeps mold from moving in before next year.
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Shop the dehumidifierThe candles and the scents
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists scented candles and air fresheners as asthma triggers, including the pine and spice scents of the season. Flameless candles give you the glow without the scent or the smoke.
The food
It is easy for an allergen to slip into a dish someone else made. If you or your children have a food allergy, ask about ingredients, and when in doubt, bring a dish you know is safe.
The visit
Other homes and hotels can have dust mites, mold and pet allergens, even when they look spotless.
- Pack every medicine before you need it, including epinephrine if it has been prescribed.
- Bring your own pillow, or zippered covers that seal out dust mites and dander.
- Cover up in the cold. Cold, dry air can trigger asthma, so a scarf over the nose and mouth helps.
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Shop the pairThe stress
The ACAAI also notes that stress can make asthma symptoms worse. In an American Psychological Association poll, 89 percent of U.S. adults said something causes them stress during the holiday season. The top causes were money, finding the right gifts and missing loved ones.
The fix is the same as the ornaments. Check it before it goes up. Decide now what you are bringing out this year, before the calendar fills. If saying no is the hard part, start with how to say no and boundaries with family.
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Shop the plannerThe holiday allergy checklist
- Gloves on for the live tree, pollen blown off outside
- Trunk wiped with diluted bleach, 1 to 20
- HEPA air purifier running in the tree room
- Artificial tree and ornaments cleaned outside
- Decorations packed back in sealed plastic bins
- Dehumidifier in damp storage
- Flameless candles instead of scented ones
- A safe dish brought along if anyone has a food allergy
- All medicines packed, including epinephrine if prescribed
- Own pillow or zippered pillow covers in the suitcase
- One no said now, before the calendar fills
This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have trouble breathing, wheezing that does not settle, or symptoms that keep coming back, see your doctor or a board-certified allergist.
Frequently asked questions
Can you be allergic to a Christmas tree?
Usually the problem is what is on the tree, not the tree itself. Researchers at SUNY Upstate Medical University found 53 different molds on clippings from 28 live Christmas trees, and most were potential allergens. Pollen and sap can also bother some people.
Are artificial Christmas trees better for allergies?
Not automatically. Artificial trees and decorations collect dust and can grow mold if they are stored in a damp place. Clean them before they go up and store them in sealed bins.
Can scented candles trigger allergies or asthma?
Yes. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology lists scented candles and air fresheners as asthma triggers. Flameless candles give you the look without the scent or smoke.
How do I avoid allergies when staying with family?
Other homes and hotels can have dust mites, mold and pet allergens. Pack all of your medicines, including epinephrine if it has been prescribed, and bring your own pillow or a zippered dust mite proof cover.
Do allergies go away in winter?
No. The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology calls it a common misconception that allergens disappear after the first hard freeze. Indoor allergens like dust mites, mold and pet dander are there all year.
Sources: SUNY Upstate Medical University, "Season's sneezings," 2011, on Kurlandsky et al., Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, "Holiday Humbug Because of Allergies?", 2024; American Psychological Association, holiday stress poll, 2023.
