When people think of allergies, they usually think of warm spring days filled with blooming flowers and green trees. But for those in central Texas, allergies seem to attack in the late fall to early winter, around the time it gets cold. In fact, for some allergens, allergies in the cooler months can be worse than springtime allergies.
Why are Austinites fighting off allergy attacks in the colder months? It’s Cedar Fever.
What is Cedar Fever?
Cedar Fever is an extreme allergy to mountain cedar, also known as Ash Juniper trees, commonly found in Central Texas. Contrary to its name, It does not involve a fever and is not a virus or bacterial infection.
Male mountain cedar trees, which have an orangish brown cone, release large amounts of pollen that easily overwhelm the body and greatly impact those with an allergy to the juniper genus. Female mountain cedar trees, which usually have blueberry-shaped cones, do not release pollen.
Symptoms of Cedar Fever may include:
- Sneezing
- Itchy/watery eyes
- Coughing
- Scratchy or sore throat
- Fatigue
- Stuffy nose
Those struggling with asthma may also have additional symptoms including tightening of the chest and further trouble breathing.
It’s easy to confuse Cedar Fever with the common cold or the flu because of the similar symptoms. However, one way to tell the difference would be the duration of symptoms. Cedar Fever usually lasts longer than a week and can worsen, but your symptoms should be greatly improved after 5-7 days of the common cold or flu.
When Does Cedar Fever Start in Texas?
Most years, Cedar Fever starts in mid-December when the Cedar Mountain trees release large amounts of pollen. The prolific pollen is so dense in Central Texas that the wind carries it north to the Dallas region and east into the Greater Houston area.
However, in years with rainy summer months, such as this year, Cedar Fever can start earlier. Usually, the extreme heat mixed with dryer conditions in the Texas summer stunts the growth and health of Mountain Cedar Trees. The harsh conditions traditionally experienced during the summer affect the pollen rate released into the air when they pollinate in the late fall.
The bad news for the Austin area in 2024 is that because of the rainy weather this summer, with much of Austin seeing above-average rain totals, the Cedar Mountain trees are healthier than normal. Not only can Austin expect an earlier start to Cedar Fever, but it will also be more intense and last longer than normal. Read more about what to expect in the Austin area from Dr. Allen Lieberman in this interview in the Austin American-Statesman.
How Do You Treat Cedar Fever?
You can use over-the-counter antihistamines to help relieve your Cedar Fever symptoms. However, if you are still struggling while using over-the-counter medicine or are tired of dealing with Cedar Fever year after year, it’s smart to seek help from an allergist.
Don’t wait for Cedar Fever to get worse. Call Austin Family Allergy and Asthma today, or click here online to schedule your appointment. Let us help you beat Cedar Fever.
