Empire State Today

• The holiday season can be a triggering time for allergy sufferers.
• Holiday decorations that are pine-scented, such as trees or wreaths, can provoke allergy and asthma symptoms.
• Artificial decorations can collect dust and mold.

During the holiday season, many people might find themselves struggling with allergies that cling to decorations, such as dust or mold. Dr. Joseph Capo of Capo Nose & Sinus Center said allergies and sinus problems go hand in hand.

"Patients with allergies often experience general swelling in the nose," Dr. Capo told Empire State Today. "When sinus openings are already narrow, this swelling, caused by severe allergies, can lead to the closure of these openings. This closure can contribute to recurrent sinus infections or even more generalized symptoms like nasal congestion and a stuffy nose. There is a significant overlap between what may be considered a sinus problem and what may be attributed to allergies; in fact, it's quite common for patients to have both allergy issues and sinusitis simultaneously."

Although over 40 million Americans experience allergies throughout the year, the holiday season can be particularly challenging for allergy sufferers, as reported by WebMD. Decorations like evergreen trees and wreaths can be prone to mold, a prevalent allergy trigger. While opting for artificial decorations might offer a solution, it's crucial to store them in dry containers to avoid the development of mold in damp environments. Additionally, these decorations have the potential to accumulate dust, potentially triggering allergy and asthma symptoms.

Good RX notes that the aromatic pine scent that comes from Christmas trees and other decorations has the potential to induce allergy and asthma symptoms. This is attributed to a chemical known as terpene, found in the sap of pine trees, which can be irritating to the eyes, nose, and skin. Additionally, trees decorated with "flocking," or artificial snow, can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms as they release tiny particles into the air.

Another source of allergy triggers during the holiday season is the droppings of pests like mice, cockroaches, and spiders, per Good RX. These pests tend to prefer nesting in dark and damp areas such as basements and garages, and they often find storage bins for decorations to be convenient hiding spots due to infrequent movement. The droppings from these pests can potentially initiate allergy symptoms.