It’s that time of year. Time to buy a Christmas tree. Let’s get a real one this year, ok, dad? Sure honey, why not? Off to the tree farm you go with your family to pick out the perfect tree. You get it home and decorate it all pretty with the kids. But then, a few hours later, the kids break out with a hot, itchy hive like rash, they can’t swallow and their throat is swelling and it was hard to breath. You rush them to the emergency room. The doctors recognize she is in anaphylactic shock and give her epinephrine. They tell you that your kids have what doctors call ”Christmas Tree Syndrome”. Never heard of it? About 7% of the population suffers from Christmas Tree Syndrome.
Contrary to its name, Christmas Tree Syndrome isn’t an allergic reaction to the tree itself, but the mold spores that come with it. The mold forms after the tree is cut and bundled. How do you avoid it? Officials suggest washing the tree and letting it dry before bringing it inside, or using a leaf blower to hopefully blow away the spores. The safest and most sure way to avoid it….get an artificial tree.
