Newswise - “Mold Allergy and Live Christmas Trees” was a presentation at the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Dallas this week (Abstract #P59) – William J. Rockwell, M.D. – The allergic symptoms associated with decorating the home during the Christmas season are often attributed to the dust mites on ornaments and lights, the scent of the live Christmas tree and the mold that grows on the tree, note the authors. Investigators measured mold counts 12 times over a two-week period between December 24 and January 6, after the live Christmas tree was brought inside and decorated. Spore counts rose from a baseline average of 800 spores/m3 to a maximum of 5,000 spores/mc by day 14 when the tree was taken down. This study demonstrates that mold-sensitive patients may experience allergic symptoms due to an increasing mold spore exposure from having a live Christmas tree in the home.