Winter allergies? Your Christmas tree could be to blame

You may have seen something called 'Christmas Tree Syndrome' online. It's real.

Dr. Priya Warrier is an allergist and says the term is helping clear up a misconception that allergies are only associated with the spring and fall.

"In the winter there are different triggers, but your allergies can still be a problem," said Dr. Warrier.

If you have a live Christmas tree it may be the culprit behind your winter allergies, or more specifically, the mold on the branches.

"Over the span of time that tree is in your house, researchers have measured the levels of mold in the air and we've seen a spike," Dr. Warrier said.

Artificial trees and decorations can cause some problems too because of the dust they collect while in storage.

Dr. Warrier suggests unpacking and cleaning your decorations outside so you can get those allergens out of the air in your home.

Storing decorations in seal containers can help you avoid dust and mold by the time Christmas comes around next year.