Christmas is one of the best times of the year for many people, but it's also prime time to fall ill.
Coming down with the sniffles, a cough or a sore throat at any time of the year is an annoyance, but especially so at Christmas when all you want to do is catch up with loved ones.
And it turns out that one of the most popular Christmas symbols could be the very thing making you unwell. Dubbed 'Christmas Tree Syndrome', it causes hayfever-like symptoms including itchy nose, watery eyes, wheezing, coughing, chest pains, lethargy and insomnia - and even leads to pneumonia in rare serious cases.
Symptoms such as a cough or runny nose may be brought on by mould growth and pollen on the festive tree.
Even just being in the proximity of a Christmas tree may be enough to bring the symptoms on, with many people unaware that it's causing an allergic reaction.
It's estimated that during the festive season, 35 per cent of people see their hay fever-like symptoms get worse with pine Christmas trees causing most of the problems.
That's according to Prevalin Allergy, with other researchers noting that sufferers' breathing problems were getting worse in the run-up to Christmas Day - hence the name of the syndrome.
The mould harboured on trees releases spores that can trigger allergic reactions in people who are susceptible. While it occurs naturally, bringing the Christmas tree inside gives it the perfect environment to grow.
To help minimise the risks, experts say you should spray your tree with a mild bleach solution before bringing it into the house, as this will help to eradicate any mould.
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