MOSCOW, Dec 23 - RIA Novosti. The appearance of an artificial tree in the house can lead to a reaction similar to an allergy - nasal congestion, sneezing and eye irritation. So the body can react to the substances that the tree has been treated with, and in order to avoid this, it can be rinsed before installation and ventilated, the allergists interviewed by RIA Novosti advise, but allergy to a real forest beauty is rare, they assured.
Christmas tree trigger
An artificial tree can provoke an already irritated mucous membrane of a person due to constant contact with household chemicals, as well as house dust, says allergist-immunologist, candidate of medical sciences Elena Timoshina. However, such a reaction of the body to sprayed substances on the tree cannot be called an allergy, but with such triggers it is necessary to consult a doctor, the expert emphasized.
"People can react to artificial materials, but it will not be an allergy, this is an increased sensitivity of the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes. What the tree is treated with can cause nasal congestion or rhinorrhea, but since in a normal state a person does not pay attention to this, and when opening an artificial trees begin to sneeze, the first thought is an allergy to the tree or to the material. In fact, this is like a trigger, provoking an already unhealthy state of the mucous membrane. Of course, this is a reason to be examined. But this is not what people call an allergy to the tree. " Timoshina explained.
So, the expert advised to study ways to care for the product on the packaging, so as not to "spoil the beauty" of the New Year's beauty, and if the manufacturer allows it, then it is necessary to rinse it and minimize artificial pollination. Plus, regular airing will also help reduce the risks of irritation, the allergist added.
Coniferous allergy
Allergist, Candidate of Medical Sciences Lyudmila Smirnova also emphasized that there are risks of allergic reactions to substances that are sprayed on the needles of an artificial tree.
"If they (Christmas trees - ed.) Are sprayed with something, or the needles are treated with something so that the needles hold, do not fall, - they may be allergic or similar reactions. As such, I have not seen an allergy to needles in practice," - added Smirnova.
However, speaking of real Christmas trees, the expert noted that allergies to real Christmas trees bears little resemblance to allergies to pollen and flowers. Timoshyna, in turn, explained that allergies to real trees do happen, however, it is extremely rare and manifests itself only during the pollination period, "when the tree is just forming new cones on the trees," which usually occurs closer to summer. So, according to the expert, in winter the tree is almost harmless for allergy sufferers.
"In winter, during the period of non-flowering, of course, it is rather harmless. If they (allergy sufferers - ed.) Want a live Christmas tree - yes, they can buy It is extremely rare (allergy to Christmas trees - ed.), Because the pollen in conifers is heavy, it, unlike the pollen of birch or alder, is not so volatile. A person must have a very pronounced allergy in order for him to react to some representative of conifers, "Timoshina summed up.