NE Valley Times

• Though many people suffer from allergies year-round, the holiday season can be especially triggering.
• Christmas trees, wreaths and other decorations can collect mold and dust.
• The scent of pine from a fresh tree can worsen allergy and asthma symptoms.

Dr. Franklyn Gergits of Sinus and Allergy Wellness Center says allergy testing has improved over the years and has become more comfortable.

"We perform testing now that is very straightforward and comfortable," Gergits told NE Valley Times. "I've been tested multiple times myself as an allergy sufferer and asthmatic. I've been through the old-fashioned testing, and I prefer the new testing. It's just pressure and then a small drop of a specific allergen or a mix is introduced into the skin with pressure. Once that testing panel has been placed on the arm, we wait a while, then we come back in and check the arm to see what kind of reactions the patient has. That gives us the results that we need to allow patients to know what they're allergic to and initiate treatment. Sometimes that treatment includes allergy drops."

More than 40 million Americans suffer from allergies, and the holiday season can be an especially difficult time for allergy sufferers, according to WebMD. Evergreen trees, wreaths and other holiday trimmings can attract mold, a common allergy trigger. Artificial decorations can help, but your decorations should be stored in dry containers to prevent mold that can form if they're stored somewhere damp, such as a basement. Decorations can also collect dust, which could set off allergy symptoms.

The pine scent of Christmas trees and other decorations can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, according to GoodRx. Natural compounds called terpene, some of which can be found in the sap of pine trees, can irritate the eyes, nose and skin. Trees that are decorated with "flocking," or fake snow, can also set off allergy or asthma symptoms, as the flocking releases small particles into the air.

Another reason to beware of your holiday decorations is the possibility that you could find droppings from pests such as mice, cockroaches and spiders, which like to nest in dark, damp locations like basements and garages. Bins like the ones in which you keep your holiday decorations can make good hiding places because they aren't moved often.

If you'd like more information on allergy testing and treatment options, take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.