Prepare for Cedar Allergies

by Dr. Kelly A. Simpson, ARC Allergy & Asthma

As the weather changes, so too does the allergy season, here are a few tips on how to better prepare as cedar season begins.

Mountain cedar is unique to Central Texas and the season lasts from December to February. Cedar allergies, often referred to as "cedar fever," can be intense and quite debilitating, causing missed days at work or school. Beyond the symptoms of a runny nose and itchy eyes, cedar allergies make you feel sick, which is something not experienced with other pollen allergies like ragweed or oak.

To help reduce pollen exposure:

• Avoid the outdoors during peak pollen times (5am-10am).
• Take a shower before bedtime.
• Wash clothes after pollen exposure from being outside.
• Dust your furniture and keep your home as dust-free as possible.
• Keep carpets and upholstery vacuumed.
• Keep windows and doors closed both in your home and in your car when travelling to minimize exposure to cedar pollen.

Most importantly, if you know you are allergic to cedar, begin taking allergy medications now, before you begin feeling the symtoms of "cedar fever." Annually, you can begin taking allergy medications as early as mid to late November.

Besides allergy medications, your allergist may recommend that you receive allergy shots. Early treatment of allergies has been shown to relieve symptoms and prevent the development of other related conditions such as asthma. Allergy injections allow your immune system to change the way it responds to the allergens that make you sick. This means you will be better able to tolerate exposure to those allergens and exhibit minimal symptoms. When you get an allergy shot, you will actually receive the allergen that is making you sick. This is done in a way that strengthens your immune system so that you become “immune” to the allergen. Allergy shots have been found to be effective in the treatment of rhinitis and asthma. In children, when started early in the disease process, allergy shots may help reduce the chance that a child will develop asthma later in life.

Visit the Austin allergy calendar to see when cedar and other pollens are expected to be at their highest levels and talk to your ARC primary care doctor or allergist to learn more about your treatment options so you can breathe easy.

Dr. Kelly A. Simpson
ARC Cedar Park Medical Plaza
1401 Medical Parkway
Bldg. B. Suite 220 & 200
Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 260-1581