Is 'Christmas tree syndrome' real? Yes, doctors say — here's how to handle it

If you or a loved one seems to have an allergic reaction each year right around the time when the Christmas tree arrives, you're hardly alone.

"Christmas tree syndrome," as it's called, isn't a reaction to the tree itself, but to "the mold or dust that's found on both real and live trees," Dr. Chelsea Azarcon, a California-based naturopathic medical doctor, told Fox News Digital.

The most common reaction, she said, is sneezing and itchy, watery eyes. 

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A less common reaction is a skin reaction like hives.

"That could be an anaphylactic reaction," she said, warning that type of reaction could be more serious, particularly if accompanied by trouble breathing. 

People with a pollen allergy aren't likely to experience "Christmas tree syndrome." 

That's because pollen is only produced in the spring. 

Yet people who do have an allergy to pine or peanuts could be at a greater risk, Azarcon said.

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Since dust and mold are the biggest culprits, Azarcon recommended investing in an air filter and running it during the holidays, plus "washing" your tree before bringing it inside. 

That, she said, applies to both live and fake trees — as artificial trees can collect dust and other allergens while stowed away.

There are three effective ways to "clean" your tree, according to UCLA Health.

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Before you bring your tree inside your house or apartment, you can remove many allergens by: 

You can also vacuum an artificial tree or wipe it down.

If your tree is already up and you can't seem to shake the reaction, Azarcon recommended Zyretec or Claratin for itchy, watery eyes and Benadryl for hives. 

And while dust and mold are the most common culprits, there is one more possible but far less likely cause for your discomfort: a reaction to terpenes, the compound that gives Christmas trees their scent. 

"This can cause respiratory inflammation," Azarcon said. 

"The reaction is similar to when there's a lot of smoke in the air." 

If you tend to develop a rash when coming into contact with a Christmas tree, have someone else decorate it and "wear long sleeves and gloves if you need to touch the tree," UCLA Health advises.

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If you're experiencing any reactions, speak with your doctor or health care provider, who can assist with managing symptoms.

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