Cedar Allergies – Back with a Vengeance

Wet Conditions Early, Making Cedar Pollen Season Miserable NowIt's winter time, and while many of us are struggling with bouts of bitter cold and snow, for some this is prime allergy season. It may seem counterintuitive for allergies, especially any type of pollen allergies, to be worse during the winter months, but one type in particular causes problems for many through the winter months. Making matters worse is that many mistake their allergies for a cold or the flu. (Like something out of an old comic strip, ‘Is it a cold? Is it the flu? No, it's cedar allergies!‘) So what's aggravating your allergies? If you live in the Southwest, it could very likely be cedar.

_Cedar or mountain cedar pollen is actually a type of Juniper. These trees often soak up summer and fall rains then in December and January begin releasing pollen. With rains being heavier than usual throughout much of the South, the cedar pollen levels are higher than usual in places like North and Central Texas.

_Like many allergies, cedar pollen can produce symptoms that are often mistaken for the cold or flu. Runny nose, headache, and sneezing are all common with cedar pollen allergies. While these often typify the common cold, check with your allergist or physician if these symptoms are persistent. For those thinking they have a touch of the flu, do you notice a fever or severe body aches? If neither of these are present, then you're likely dealing with a cold or allergies, not the flu.

_Coping with cedar allergies can be a tough task, particularly with higher than usual pollen counts and winds spreading the allergen far and wide. One avoidance measure you can take is using an allergy mask. Thiscan help to block the pollen, and all masks do retain some heat, so during the colder winter months, they can also help cut down on cold weather induced asthma. Not many people have their windows open this time of year but think about replacing your HVAC filter. This can help to keep dust and pollen levels down in the home. Check with your allergist or doctor. If you've skipped by some preventative measures and find yourself feeling miserable, your doctor can help. From allergy shots to antihistamines, there are a variety of treatments available to help get you feeling better sooner.

_For more information of juniper pollen.

_Author: K. Gilmore

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