As the holiday season gets closer, you may already be thinking about plans for this year’s Christmas tree. Whether your family has a tradition of getting a real tree every year or this year will be your first time with one, make sure you know how to take care of it. Before you bring your freshly cut Christmas tree into your home, take some precautions to prevent the health problems it could cause. Today, we’re looking into Christmas Tree Syndrome and how to remove Christmas tree mold that might be causing it.
What Is Christmas Tree Syndrome?
Christmas Tree Syndrome refers to the allergic response some people experience around their indoor Christmas trees. The freshly cut Christmas trees that many families bring indoors this time of year can cause a flare-up in those with seasonal allergies. This reaction is because many fresh Christmas trees can still contain pollen and the beginnings of mold by the time you bring them indoors. The symptoms of Christmas Tree Syndrome are the same as you would expect from seasonal allergies, including:
- Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
- Headaches
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sneezing
- Wheezing or difficulty breathing
- Nosebleeds
- Heightened asthma symptoms
If you notice a spike in any of these symptoms after setting up your Christmas tree, you might want to do a little cleanup.
What To Do if You Find Mold
If you notice these symptoms and find mold on your Christmas tree, don’t throw your tree to the curb just yet. Buy a fungicide spray from your local garden center to spray the affected areas. To minimize symptoms, you can also place an air purifier in the same room. A purifier will help remove any remaining mold spores from the air so that your family won’t feel so sick. Finally, minimize the time you keep the tree indoors. Consider removing the decorations the day after Christmas and taking the tree back outside to minimize exposure.
How To Prevent Christmas Tree Mold
If you haven’t gotten your tree yet, make sure you tidy it up before bringing it indoors. It’s much easier to care for the tree before you bring it inside than to risk it, only to find mold after you’ve decorated it. Use a leaf blower to blow the pollen and potential mold spores off the trunk and branches. If you have an artificial Christmas tree, these can grow mold as well, so make sure that you store yours in a dry, cool place after you take it down at the end of the season.
Christmas Tree Syndrome can really dampen the holiday spirit, so make sure you remember these tips for how to remove Christmas tree mold. If you suspect mold may have spread from your tree to your carpet, walls, or anywhere else throughout your home, contact Aloha Restoration Co. We specialize in mold removal in Arlington Heights and throughout the Chicagoland area, and we’d be happy to take the stress of mold out of your holiday season.
