Certain people are at higher risk of experiencing Christmas tree syndrome. People with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary syndrome (COPD) may be more sensitive to allergens – and these allergens may also exacerbate symptoms such as coughing and wheezing.

Inspect your tree: Conduct a meticulous inspection for signs of fungi before bringing the tree indoors. Focus on areas where moisture may accumulate, as damp conditions foster mould growth. The most common mould found on Christmas trees is Aspergillus, which will look black on the surface and usually white-ish or yellow underneath.

Minimise direct contact: Try to avoid too much direct contact when decorating the tree. Wearing gloves might be one may of reducing the risk of skin-related reactions.

Mould grows best in warm, wet and humid conditions. So when the tree is brought indoors, the warmer climate significantly increases mould production.

Select your tree carefully: Opt for varieties with lower allergenic potential. Fir trees, such as Douglas and Fraser, are known for producing fewer allergens compared to spruce or pine.

This phenomenon happens thanks to the ecology of live trees, which carry microscopic entities – including pollen and fungi. Pollen, a notorious outdoor allergen, may hitch a ride into our homes, while fungi find a cosy haven in cold, damp Christmas tree farms and garden centres.

Christmas tree syndrome can be a nuisance. But by considering the science and taking precautions, you can ensure an enjoyable and allergen-free festive season.

Live Christmas trees can also carry mould. Notably, a single Christmas tree can host more than 50 species of mould, creating a habitat for these tiny yet potentially troublesome organisms. Many of the mould varieties found on trees are those most likely to trigger allergies, including Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium.

Insert with finish ground teeth and rake surface can achieve thread operation with high precision and stable working condition

PVD Tin coated carbide grade with good toughness and wear resistance. Good for threading and drilling (both peripheral and central inserts) on low carbon of steels, stainless steel, heat resistance steel, and cast iron.

Timely recognition of symptoms is crucial to mitigate the impact of Christmas tree syndrome. So if you do suffer from allergies, here’s what you can do:

Pine pollen is not a major issue for allergy-sufferers when it comes to Christmas trees. But Christmas trees can come into contact with other known allergens while they’re growing, which can then be carried into the house. For example, grass pollen can stick to the sap in a Christmas tree during the spring. Then, when the tree is harvested and brought indoors, the sap dries out, and the trapped pollen particles are released into the air.

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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Unique wave shape chip breaker design allows the chip flows to be raised up by the chip breaker during threading and guides the chip forming along the front of chip breaker and control the chip formation in smaller curvature radius.

YBG201 Coating PVD Tin coated carbide grade with good toughness and wear resistance. Good for threading and drilling (both peripheral and central inserts) on low carbon of steels, stainless steel, heat resistance steel, and cast iron. Full Profile insert The insert forms a complete threading profile including crest and are most commonly used in a high productivity threading Correct depth, bottom and top radii are formed therefore creating a stronger thread Stock does not need to be turned to the exact diameter prior to threading and no deburring is needed after threading Topping should be .0012-.0028"; let the threading tool finish the diameter Each insert can only cut one pitch and profile A full profile insert normally has a larger nose radius than a V partial profile therefore fewer passes will be required Reduce Work FlowBefore the threading operation, the part to be threaded does not need to take a finish machining pass on it because the WIPER edge design on the insert achieves desired vertex diameter on each thread's tip while maintaining good finish.Eliminate DeburringThe wiper edge on the insert produces good surface finish on the tip of each threads.  After the thread is made, it eliminates the deburring procedure.Chip Removal Control Unique wave shape chip breaker design allows the chip flows to be raised up by the chip breaker during threading and guides the chip forming along the front of chip breaker and control the chip formation in smaller curvature radius.  Finish GroundInsert with finish ground teeth and rake surface can achieve thread operation with high precision and stable working condition

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Before the threading operation, the part to be threaded does not need to take a finish machining pass on it because the WIPER edge design on the insert achieves desired vertex diameter on each thread's tip while maintaining good finish.

The wiper edge on the insert produces good surface finish on the tip of each threads.  After the thread is made, it eliminates the deburring procedure.

People who suffer from allergies are also at greater risk – with research showing 7% of allergy-sufferers experienced a spike in symptoms when they had a Christmas tree in their home. People with skin issues (such as contact dermatitis and itching) may also find that their symptoms worsen around fresh Christmas trees.

Proper maintenence: Regularly water live trees to prevent dehydration, as this can lead to mould growth. A well-hydrated tree is also less likely to harbour fungus. And since warm, moist environments increase mould growth, try to keep your house ventilated while it’s up. You might even consider using a dehumidifier to decrease moisture levels in your home.

Flying seed

Researchers have also closely measured mould counts in rooms containing live Christmas trees. During the first three days the tree is indoors, mould spore counts measure about 800 spores per cubic meter of air. On the fourth day, however, spore counts begin rising – eventually reaching 5,000 spores per cubic meter within two weeks.

Go artificial: Consider artificial trees as a practical alternative. These eliminate the risk of allergens and can be reused – reducing their environmental impact.

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Christmas tree syndrome encompasses a spectrum of health issues triggered by exposure to the allergens residing on live Christmas trees. For those who are sensitive to allergens, prolonged exposure to live Christmas trees can lead to respiratory and skin health issues.

Decorating the Christmas tree is a beloved tradition for many of us during the festive season. While some people prefer using and reusing an artificial tree as an environmentally friendly way to enjoy the holiday spirit, others hunt instead for the perfect real tree to adorn with ornaments and cluster presents around.

But some people who decide to get a real tree may find that after it has been decorated they begin to experience cold-like symptoms. While many may simply chalk these symptoms up to having caught a cold – or even COVID – the culprit may actually be a little-known condition called Christmas tree syndrome.

The main symptoms of Christmas tree syndrome include a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, irritated eyes, coughing, wheezing and itchy throat. Asthma symptoms may also worsen. Skin-related symptoms may include redness, swelling, and itching.