‘Christmas Tree Syndrome’ Is A Thing In Illinois And It’s Not Cute

Deck the halls with all your allergies.

You would think something as kitschy-sounding as 'Christmas Tree Syndrome' would be a Hallmark movie involving a Christmas tree farm, a magic spell, or something to that effect. Maybe the phrase sounds like having an attachment to putting the tree up early and taking it down late. Whatever you think it is, guess again.

What 'Christmas Tree Syndrome' Actually Is

It's not cute. It's what makes you hug a box of Kleenex on Christmas morning. Christmas Tree Syndrome, according to Newsweek, is what happens when your allergies don't agree with the Christmas tree. And that isn't only real trees either, fake Christmas trees can prompt the sniffles too.

It's basically like a seasonal cold but symptoms of Christmas Tree Syndrome can include:

• runny nose
• sneezing
• congestion
• irritated eyes
• coughing
• itchy or sore throat
• maybe even skin irritation or rashes

So 'Christmas Tree Syndrome' sounds much more festive than 'allergies'. If you have asthma, you could be more at risk for Christmas Tree Syndrome.

The Why Of It

You would think it's only impactful if it's a real tree. Nope. Pollen is a huge factor in this if you get sick from a real tree. But Christmas trees have a chemical in their absolutely amazing scent called terpenes. Not everyone's noses like terpenes, thus the reason we get sniffly around a Christmas tree. Artificial Christmas trees could prompt Christmas Tree Syndrome if they have mold growths or have become home to bugs.

The best way to curtail Christmas Tree Syndrome if you have a fake tree is to store it somewhere dry and not humid so bugs don't think it's a good home.