Many Allergy Victims are Wrong to Blame Thier

Christmas Tree

By Wally Hunter.

Editor, Christmas Tree Lookout

In the National Christmas Tree Association-sponsored public opinion poll, 22 percent of respondents said they have an artificial tree because real trees cause allergy problems and 18 percent said they would have a real tree if concerns about allergies were reduced.

Many of those interviewed have it all wrong according to allergy specialists quoted in a story carried December 6, 2000 in the Oregonian, Portland, Oregon.

In a story entitled "The twelve days of sneezing," reporter Don Colburn wrote that "It's the Grinch of seasonal afflictions, a sudden wheeze-and-sneeze that gets blamed- sometimes unfairly — on the Christmas tree."

In support of that position he quoted Dr. Emil Bardana, an allergist at Oregon Health Sciences University and president of the American College of Allergy. Asthma and

Immunology, with the following: "It's not that they’re reacting to the pollen of the fir tree."

Dr. Bardana pointed out that it is usually one or two other factors including grass seed pollen that landed on the tree and was released when the tree was taken to the warm confines of a home.

That event is said to trigger symptoms that resemble an attack of hay fever. But, as Dr. Bardana pointed out in the article, "You may have a potpourri of pollen on that tree."

He said that in relatively dry years the chance of the pollen being washed off the tree by rain is lessened, thus there is a greater chance of it being carried into the home.

Writer Colburn also contacted Dan Atkins, an allergist at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver, who said, "lt's rare to find someone who is truly allergic to their Christmas tree."

"Sometimes people think it's the tree and it's not. It's the ornaments,” Atkins said.

He pointed to mold on the ornaments as well as dust mites, furnace-dried air, pets in the home, fireplace smoke and exotic holiday food as potential sources of allergic reactions.

That is not to say that Christmas trees do not cause reactions in some individuals.

Colburn's story documented cases of individuals who suffered severe reactions to Christmas trees including development of red splotchy welts, plugged noses, burning eyes, sneezing and wheezing and shortness of breath.

However, in most cases of so-called "Christmas tree allergy" the tree is blamed for a problem that is created by pollen, mold or some other such culprit from yet a different source. And that's a fact.