Mommy's Allergies

My husbands says has to be the real tree or not christmas. I suffer though and usually end up going to doctor with a allergy attack. Oh well suffer through is all I have to tell you.

I wonder if you could spray the tree with something, you know like a sealant of some sort. I bet you wouldnt be allergic to a flocked tree. Maybe if you douse it with something like hairspray or something from a craft store that preserves flowers that could be the solution? I'm just guessing. Sorry bout your allergies, that just sucks.

Can you move the tree to a room with a door that closes and seals well? It would be a lot of work I'm sure, but then you have the tree quarantined and the rest of the house might be safer for your allergic reaction?

Or you could move the tree just outside the front door or back door and bring it in on Christmas Eve. As this is really the original custom was to bring the Christmas tree in on Christmas Eve. None of this preparing for weeks ahead of time. I grew up with my German family bringing the tree in Christmas eve and still placing lighted candles on the tree. Talk about beautiful. But it was only for one night. I remember those trees the most to this day. It was such a beautiful sight to behold. And we weren't inundated all season long.

I know exactly what you mean though as I have developed the same allergic reaction to our live trees. It's a bummer. I LOVE the smell and feel and look of the tree in our home.

Go see an acupuncturist/chiropractor - I have an insane anaphylactic allergy to eggs and, while I carry an epi-pen with me at all times, I get acupuncture 4 times a month to lessen the severity of my reactions, just in case.
Also, ask your Dr if there is anything stronger you can take for a month to be able to breathe in your own home.

Sorry, I have no good advice to give on what might help with that. Maybe this year after Christmas you guys can buy a REALLY nice fake tree when they have the Christmas clearance sales. They have some that you would never be able to tell that they are fake. Then you will never have to worry about this again. Hopefully your DH will realize and understand the sacrifice that you are making so that he can have a "real" tree this year and make the compromise in the future. I wish I had some miracle cure..... I think Granma T's advice might work as well. There is probably some sort of sealant that you can get to spray on it. Maybe ask at the craft store??

I've heard of herb drops for allergies that you put on your tongue. It's supposed to work like allergy shots. Check out an herb store or online and see what they say.

Claritin is not as stron as Zyrtek D. You can purchase it from the pharmacy, but you do not need a prescription. I would also suggest using Zaditor eye drops (which used to require a prescription). Also, ask your allergist for a nasal spray.

Some people have suggested Sudafed which is a decongestant and Zyrtex D which has an added decongestant. If you are trying to control an allergic reaction you do not need a decongestant -- you need an antihistamine. Histamines in your body cause the reaction and an antihistamine fights them. It is safe to take two a day -- even on the 24 hour ones -- if you space them apart. My allergist recommended for me and my kids when we are having particularly bad attacks to take Claritin in the morning (less side effects) and Zyrtec at bedtime. If you are stuffed up (i.e. sinus headache, stuffy not runny nose) an added decongestant may help but I know normally that is not what I need during an attack.

I also second using a nasal spray -- you can get ones with medication or just a saline one. I use a plain saline one to clean out my nose (spray against the insides of your nose -- not back into your throat -- and then blow your nose and repeat to clean it out, then spray and leave it to moisten the passages). Keep a humidifier going. Vacuum up the tree needles, keep it enclosed if possible, stay out of that room, etc. Speaking from experience of someone with bad tree allergies though, the only thing that would make me able to get through is to get rid of the tree. I give you a lot of credit for making it through this year, but I would definitely get a fake tree next year.

Good luck.

I never had allergies as a kid but do as an adult. It has gotten to the point where I take two nasal medications once a day. One deals with drippiness and the other deals with stuffiness and keeps my air passages clear. Crazy, I know, but they work. I forget which one does what but they are Flonase and Ipratropium (Atrovent). It might not hurt to check with your doctor.

I don't necessarily have any short fixes to suggest, but washing your hands regularly can't hurt. I get particularly itchy after we have decorated the tree. My hands get all red. But other than that, it's not too bad, or worse than normal.

Humidity helps keep my nasal passages clearer--humidifier console, steam, etc. And drinking lots of water helps flush your system. I also use a nasal wash (some people use a "netty pot" which is a similar concept.) I call the nasal wash my little roto rooter of the nasal passages. (Gross but an apt description) It helps keep things clean inside so that a buildup doesn't lead to a sinus infection.

I have always had a real tree and would miss it if we didn't have it. But I have to admit, over the last few years, I have actually contemplated getting a nice fake tree. There are some really realistic ones out there these days.

Good luck! : )

I take sudafed on top of zyrtec if the zyrtec is not making it the whole 24 hrs.