Maryland State Wire

Believe it or not, Christmas trees can actually make some people sick this holiday season.

"There was an article about 'Christmas tree syndrome' tacked up in allergy exam rooms at the Ear and Eye Institute at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. I was surprised how many patients said, 'Hey, that happens to me,'" Dr. Kara Wada wrote on the Wexner Medical Center's website.

According to Wada, the pine pollen present in the freshly cut trees is not really the culprit, but rather the main irritant is mold. It leads to trouble breathing, runny noses and watery eyes.

"I get the sense that the problem is likely more prevalent than we know. Some patients wondered whether they are allergic to pine trees," Wada wrote.

Luckily, there are ways to help reduce the presence of mold. It is recommended that people give their tree a shower with a hose before bringing it inside and then letting it dry for a couple of days, either outside or in the garage.

Aside from the typical allergy symptoms, people with sensitive skin may also get itchy red spots from touching the pine needles. It's the same way some people get rashes from wearing itchy wool sweaters.

"People with rashes might be allergic to a component of the Christmas tree's sap," Wada explained. "The irritating material that comes from the sticky sap is called colophony, or rosin, and it can cause a rash similar to one from poison ivy, developing in the day or two after touching the tree."

Some people might think that if dust and mold from fresh trees are the problem, artificial trees may be the solution. This is not necessarily the case, particularly if the artificial tree has been stored in a humid garage, damp basement or attic.

It's also helpful to carefully store your Christmas ornaments to minimize dust collection. Some suggestions from Wexner Medical Center that can alleviate problems are: allergy drops for eyes, nasal washes to clear sinuses and soothe inflammation, hydrocortisone cream for rashes, nasal steroid sprays for stuffy noses, and long-lasting, nondrowsy antihistamines for sneezing or runny noses.

To learn more about how to keep sinuses in their best shape and avoid 'Christmas tree syndrome,' please visit Capitol Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers.