Can you be allergic to an artificial Christmas Tree??

[ItchinAnBitchin]

I bought a new fake tree from a major retailer was a few hundred quid, not a cheap one.

I've just put it up and my hands are so itchy, I've got red marks all over my hands and wrists.

It's like the trees scratched me and now it's all raised and red and itchy where that happened?

It's hard to get a photo but it's all like this. Extremely itchy and quite sore.

You can be allergic, it could be something sprayed on the tree or what it's made of. Keep an eye so it doesn't get worse or if you have more symptoms,

Seek medical advice if you're feeling uncomfortable with it, they may suggest anti histamines or cream

Yes, it happens to me every year! I've thought I should probably just get a real one but I'd probably start sneezing 😉

Yes happened to me last year. Went down overnight and didn't bother me after that,

I've scrubbed my hands and put moisturiser on and feel much better but I've not even decorated the tree, just assembled it 😭

I'll have to get some gloves to decorate it!

Absolutely, I am, I come out with the exact same reaction every time with every artificial tree, I think a colleague thought I was blagging it to get out of helping till the rash came up!

Same here too. DH and the kids deal with it now, result!

Yes, cheap/chemically plastic can cause contact allergies and from breathing in the fumes.

I would put it in your garage/shed for a few days for it to off-gas.

Happens to me every year too. I put child’s farm on it, and it’s usually gone by the next morning. It’s uncomfortable, but I’m daft and still do the tree every Christmas!

Wow I've never heard of this and never had a reaction before!

I'm kinda gutted because it's the first time it's ever happened and this was supposed to be the tree I keep for many years to come!

Am thinking maybe I should return it because I've never had this reaction before to a tree!

Not sure I have the reciept though

Yep. I assume it’s a combination of the chemicals and dust etc. I’m a bit allergic. Unfortunately I’m also allergic to real ones!

I get this every year too but it usually passes quite quickly after I'm done.

I get this every year, no matter what tree! Using rubber gloves may help. I’ve resigned myself to it happening every year 😂

Wait why have you put a Christmas tree up in November? ?

I wouldn't return it, I get this too and it goes quickly. I've also had it with several trees, so chances are it would happen with another! Just keep this tree and wear gloves to assemble and decorate.

I have to take antihistamines before doing our fake tree, my hands and arms are exactly like that. I use e45 too. We can't have real trees here as I'm much worse with them, sneezing and runny nose for weeks. One of my kids is the same, he can't even sit in the same room as any tree, he has fits of sneezing.

Because I want to. No further explanation required.

I would return it.

Have you considered a wooden tree? I had a friend who had the most beautiful wooden modern thing.

You can have a reaction to anything but it won't be Christmas tree syndrome. That is caused by the mould on a real tree responding to the heat indoors.

@GladioliandSweetPeas

Why do you care?

if you keep it, wear gloves and a long sleeves to stop it touching your skin when decorating it

Same happens to me with our tree so my partner put it up the second year and decorated it, and he had no allergic reaction.

Heavens knows what chemicals they use in manufacturing them.

As to a pp asking why put up a Xmas tree this early, I say why not?

“Many people, however, switch their minds to the holidays as soon as Halloween is over. And it turns out, experts agree that putting up your Christmas tree in November is good, and one study states that putting up your holiday decorations early immediately increases your happiness.”

2 Nov 2023
https://www.glamour.com › story
Want to Feel Happier? Put Up Your Christmas Tree in November

I get itchy and sneezy putting up our fake tree. I'd just assumed it was possibly dust from the loft getting thrown about (I am allergic to dust) but maybe it is the tree itself.

I've got a small potted tree this year that is waiting in the garden for next couple weeks.