Should you be worried about cedar fever in East Texas? Cedar fever is mostly a concern in Central Texas, but that doesn’t mean that East Texas is immune to it. Although oak and pine are the most common tree allergens in East Texas, this time last year, tree pollen from mountain cedar was at an all-time high. How did this happen? West winds over Central Texas carried tree spores all the way into East Texas. UT Health Allergist Dr. Jonathan Buttram warns that although mountain cedar pollinates in the winter time, it can start in November and go as late as March.
Preparing for Cedar Fever in East Texas
What is cedar fever and what are the symptoms?
Cedar fever is an allergic reaction to cedar pollen during pollination season, but it doesn’t actually cause a fever. Symptoms are similar to reactions to ragweed and oak pollen, including runny nose, sore throat, itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Other symptoms may include tiredness, headache, sinus pressure, partial loss of smell, and the sensation of ear plugging.
What can you do to protect yourself from cedar fever?
- Wear sunglasses while outside to prevent itchy, watery eyes
- Keep windows closed
- Shower at night to wash off any pollen that’s on your hair or skin
- Bathe pets regularly to get rid of pollen from fur
- Change your air conditioning filters regularly
- Dust and vacuum your home whenever you’ve had windows or doors open during peak season
What can I take for cedar fever?
Since your symptoms are allergy-related, you can try over-the-counter medications like antihistamines or decongestants. If you want to try some natural remedies, you can always try a saline nasal spray to relieve congestion and rinse out trapped pollen from your nasal cavity. For more severe or chronic cases, talk to your doctor about oral or nasal corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Read Hospitality Health ER’s blog on fall allergies and the most common food allergies or like us on Facebook to keep up with the current healthcare and community topics.
