• Diet Soda or Water: Study Reveals Which Drink Is More Effective for Weight Loss

  Sugar-free soft drinks may be just as effective as plain water for weight loss, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool in the UK. Their conclusion is based on a two-year randomized trial involving nearly 500 people who were overweight or living with obesity...

• Women Are Breaking Their Ribs for ‘Tiny’ Waists: Extreme New Procedure Raises Medical Concerns

  The beauty industry has reached a point that would have seemed unimaginable only a few years ago: it is now possible to alter not only body fat, breasts or facial features, but the shape of the ribs themselves. A procedure known as rib remodelling involves deliberately damaging the lower ribs in an attempt to make the waist appear significantly narrower, The Independent reports...

• Kim Kardashian Is Hooked on a ‘Longevity Capsule,’ but Doctors Sound the Alarm

  Kim Kardashian is betting on more than just maintaining a perfect figure — she is now focusing on longevity as well. One of the star’s latest obsessions is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a treatment popular among celebrities and professional athletes. Doctors, however, warn that its ability to extend the lifespan of healthy people has yet to be proven, and that some devices can be dangerous, according to the New York Post...

• Your Smartphone Could Be Stealing Years of Your Life: Scientists Warn of the Consequences of Endless Scrolling

  Spending hours scrolling through social media may have far more serious consequences for health than previously thought. According to a major scientific review, excessive screen use is linked to millions of years of life lived with mental health disorders...

• Popular Weight-Loss Drugs Could Deprive the Brain of Energy, Expert Warns

  As GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, continue to surge in popularity, experts are warning that losing weight too quickly and severely restricting calorie intake could deprive the brain of essential energy and nutrients...

• Cheese Is Fine, but Go Easy on the Butter: Scientists Reveal Which Fatty Foods Are Actually Healthy

  For years, we were told that fatty foods were bad for us: people were advised to replace whole milk with skimmed milk, butter with spreads, and eat cheese as rarely as possible. But new research suggests the picture is more complicated...

• Just Two Spoonfuls a Day: Scientists Find an Unexpected Link Between Tomatoes and Memory

  A diet rich in fruits and vegetables has long been associated with better memory. Now, Spanish scientists have identified another potential link: ordinary tomatoes may influence brain function — and the key could be lycopene, a powerful antioxidant...

• Beauty with a Surprise: Scientists Find Microscopic Mites Under Eyelash Extensions

  Women who regularly get eyelash extensions may be highly likely to have microscopic mites living on their lashes, according to a new study cited by the Telegraph...

Everyone loves decorating the house for Christmas—but what if your festive enthusiasm turns into sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy skin? You might be experiencing what’s playfully called “Christmas Tree Syndrome.”

Don’t worry—it’s not a medical diagnosis, just a humorous term for when allergies flare up as soon as a holiday tree enters your home. Studies suggest that about 7% of allergy sufferers experience respiratory or skin reactions specifically due to Christmas trees.

Common triggers include:

• Dust and pollen from real trees

• Chemicals and fragrances in artificial trees or aerosol “snow”

• Mold, sap, and microscopic mites hiding in needles

Even artificial trees can hide allergenic surprises, especially if they’ve been in storage for a while. The strong pine scent can also irritate lungs and sinuses due to a chemical compound called terpene.

Symptoms usually mirror standard allergies: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, red eyes, and itchy skin.

The good news? You can still enjoy the holidays without suffering:

• Choose an artificial tree if you’re allergic to pine

• Opt for fir, spruce, or cypress trees, which are less likely to trigger reactions

• Clean the tree and decorations of dust and pollen before setting up

• Use antihistamines or nasal sprays if you know you’re sensitive

And don’t forget: after the holidays, remove your tree promptly so allergens don’t linger indoors.

With a little care, even if your Christmas tree makes you sneeze, you can celebrate the season in comfort—and keep the holiday spirit alive.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram