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How Long Is Juniper Allergy Season

Ways To Conquer Cedar Fever And Juniper Allergies

Here’s why this year’s spring allergy season started early

Cedar and juniper pollens proves to be one of the worst allergens for so many people they start out every year sneezing and coughing as mountain cedar and juniper pollen spreads far and wide. Itâs quite easy for cedar and juniper pollen to be swept by the wind and travel hundreds of miles. In 1998, a researcher in Ontario, Canada found cedar pollen that had blown in all the way from Oklahoma to Central Texas.

Cedar flares up every year and you simply canât avoid it, so hereâs 4 easy ways you can prepare for cedar season.

How Can I Tell If My Symptoms Are Allergies Or Covid

Before you stress out, know that there’s one positive aspect when it comes to allergens in the year 2022: “Masks mean less inhalation of pollen through the nose or mouth, and that may translate to decreased symptoms for some sufferers,” explains Manisha Relan, MD, a board-certified allergist. Noted!

That said, if you’re worried about telling the difference between symptoms, whenever they do arise, listen up. The COVID and allergy symptoms that typically overlap are headaches, wheezing, and sore throat. It’s also possible to experience nasal congestion, a runny nose, and sneezing with COVID too, though these are more commonly allergy symptoms. A dry cough, shortness of breath, and loss of smell, are all likely COVID-19 symptoms, though there’s always the possibility that these are due to allergies.

Overall, though, if you’re having trouble telling if your symptoms are allergies or COVID, your best bet is to get checked out at a doctor’s office or urgent care center.

Early Allergy Season In Central Oregon Due To Warm Weather

The flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and spring has sprung.

For some, that means stocking up on allergy medication and suffering through symptoms.

Allergy season is well underway in Central Oregon with reports saying this weekend will hit moderate and up to highs for tree pollen.

First day in Bend my eyes kind of puffed up and a lot of watery eyes so I had to run down to Safeway and get some allergy medicine, said Lawrence Macedo, whos visiting Bend from San Jose, Luckily it kicked in about 30 minutes ago.

My eyes itch like crazy, said Andrea Pirolo, a Bend resident, I feel like, right now I only have one contact in, because one eye was just doing something crazy.

Definitely during this time of year weve seen a lot more patients come in for their allergies, said Ripdeep Mangat, an M.D. for the Allergy and Asthma Care Center.

The main culprit juniper trees

A lot of people have possibly been exposed to Juniper pollen in other areas but we have a lot more Junipers so well see that theyre more symptomatic, Mangat said Some of them move here and it takes time for them to develop symptoms.

I just moved here from Montreal, so its hard for me to tell whats normal and whats not but its not like this in Montreal, Pirolo said, Ive never experienced anything like this.

According to Mangat, this allergy season started earlier than the typical end-of-March bloom.

Thats due to the mild winter across the High Desert

But get what works for you ready.

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Texas Allergy Season Calendar

This allergen is particularly acute in Central Texas, where mountain cedar is plentiful. Additionally, since the pollen is small, light, and can travel hundreds of miles, its difficult to avoid.

Symptoms: The pollen from these common trees can lead to itchy, watery eyes or a runny or stuffy nose and sneezing.

Right as the mountain cedar season is wrapping up, Texans get hit with a trio of new allergens: elm, ash, and mulberry.

Symptoms: These three trees produce pollen that can lead to sneezing, wheezing, and asthma-like symptoms.

Springtime adds oak and pecan tree pollen to the mix, as well as pollen from grasses, such as Bermuda, Johnson, and Kentucky bluegrass. Because grasses are so plentiful, this can be a particularly irritating time of year for anyone sensitive to grass.

Symptoms: In addition to the typical runny nose and watery eyes, grass allergies can lead to a sore throat and asthma-like symptoms.

The summer months offer a trade-off: blazing heat for allergy relief. By June and July, the most common sources of allergies have stopped producing pollen, and pollen counts drop.

In August, a new and notorious allergy culprit arrives on the scene: ragweed. Ragweed is a soft-stemmed, flowering weed that is populous in the tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. It is particularly plentiful in the southwestern U.S. Other prevalent allergens this time of year include dust mites and mold spores but those are also present year-round.

What Do Juniper Trees Look Like

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The trees have scaly leaves on a short needle-like twig. The canopy of the juniper trees generally has wiry, twisty, and pointy branches. Its trunk, or, trunks are generally gnarly and twisty as well.

Some of the juniper bushes lay low to the ground, but their scaly leaves are easy to recognize. If these bushes are constantly trimmed, they lose their twisty, pointy appearance.

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Why Are Allergies So Bad In Texas

In most parts of the country, the allergy season is limited to the spring, when pollinating plants release the microscopic pollen dust that irritates sinuses and turns eyes watery and red. But once the spring turns to summer, and the pollination season is over, the allergens largely disappear. Not so in Texas.

As it turns out, one of the big reasons why allergies are so bad in Texas is the heat. But its not those blistering summer days that are to blame. Rather, the states relatively mild winters create the perfect environment for year-round allergens. Texas mild winters allow for year-round plant growth, which means plants can pollinate throughout the year. While other parts of the U.S. are experiencing frigid temperatures that turn vegetation dormant, some Texas plants are undergoing another season of pollination. In fact, winter is one of the worst times of the year for allergies in Texas.

Everything You Need To Know About Tree And Spring Pollen Allergies 2022

Compared to the rest of the U.S., midwinter and early spring in Jacksonville is a really beautiful time of year.

Although, our mild temperatures tend to attract folks from more frigid regions, that doesnt mean our cool seasons are completely free of any downsides. In fact, if youre allergic to tree pollen one of the most common allergens we have here on the First Coast you know this all too well.

Another downside? Jacksonville regularly ranks among the Worst Cities for Spring Allergies. In 2021 Jacksonville came in at #30 in the US in 2022? Were now up to #22 .

Across most of the country, trees dont release their pollen until early spring. But, thanks to our temperate climate here in North Florida, local trees usually start producing an abundance of pollen starting in February . Although January 2022 felt a bit cooler than normal, February warmed up and we began to see a big uptick in pollen.

If you suffer from tree pollen sensitivity, heres a helpful guide for tree pollen allergies and our best advice for controlling a reaction this spring season.

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What Are The Points To Know About Pollen

  • Pollen that causes allergy tends to be small, light and dry. It is easily spread by wind over long distances. The pollen that gets all over your car or lawn furniture is not as much of an allergy problem as the pollen too small to be seen.
  • Bright-colored flowers actually release less pollen into the air than their drab cousins. Instead they depend on insects to carry pollen from one blossom to another.
  • Airborne pollen counts are usually highest early in the day just after the dew dries and on into late morning.
  • There is often a burst of pollen into the air when the wind comes up just before a rainstorm. During and after the rain, however, pollen becomes damp and heavy with moisture, keeping it still and on the ground.

Are There Other Allergens I Could Be Sensitized To*

Tree pollen making for a severe allergy season

Many patients with mountain juniper tree allergy can experience symptoms when exposed to other allergens such as tree, weed, or grass pollens, making it difficult to determine which pollen is causing the symptoms, especially when pollen seasons are overlapping. This is called cross-reactivity and occurs when your body’s immune system identifies the proteins, or components, in different substances as being structurally similar or biologically related, thus triggering a response. Other respiratory allergens that may cause reactions associated with mountain juniper pollen allergy are: junipers, cypresses, red cedar, Japanese cedar, and limited pines and other weed, tree, and grass pollens.9,10

*These products may not be approved for clinical use in your country. Please work with your healthcare provider to understand availability.

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Northern New Mexico Pollen Counts

What is pollen?

Pollen is defined as The fertilizing element of flowering plants, consisting of fine, powdery, yellowish grains or spores . Pollen is necessary to pollinate the ovary of a plant to make seeds. It is also collected by some insects as food for their offspring. Pollen is produced in the male organs of the flowers and pollination occurs when pollen is transferred from the reproductive organs of the male flower to the female organs by wind or animal. Pollen has many impacts on human health and nature. Each pollen grain carried by the wind or animal delivers many nutrients upon its arrival and can have a negative effect on human health in many ways. Many people experience allergic reactions to pollen, and the affects of pollen can be an extreme irritant.

The one-seed Juniper: Light green, coarse closely set branches. It is called the One-seed juniper due to the fact that the berries on the tree contain one seed inside unlike others that carry 2-3 seeds per berry.

Any of about 18 species of forest and ornamental shade trees that make up the genus Ulmus. Native mostly to northern temperate areas and many are grown for their height and attractive foliage. The leaves are doubly toothed and often lopsided at the base. Elm pollen is produced from January through April and some species of the elm tree also flower in the fall.

Grass

Mulberry

Ragweed

Aspen

Cottonwood

Weeds

Tree Pollen Allergy Symptoms

A sensitivity to pollen causes your body to produce an abundance of allergic antibodies called IgE. IgE allows your immune system to launch a full scale allergic response when it sees a culprit tree pollen. These reactions result in a flood of histamines in your eyes and respiratory tract and can lead to following allergy symptoms:

  • Itchy and tearing/watery red eyes. Your eyes may be inflamed, itchy and red. There might also be crust along your eyelids, most commonly experienced upon waking in the morning.
  • Bags under the eyes. You might also notice dark circles and bags under your eyes. These are sometimes called allergic shiners and are due to congested blood vessels associated with nasal inflammation.
  • Runny nose. People with tree pollen allergies experience nasal congestion and a runny nose at the same time. A runny nose might also result in post-nasal drip. Children can develop a semi-permanent crease along their noses from constantly rubbing the tips of their runny noses upwarda maneuver affectionately termed the allergic salute!
  • Sneezing and congestion. You may sneeze frequently, have an itchy nose, and feel pressure in your nose and sinuses.
  • Coughing fits or sore throats. Allergies to tree pollen may also cause you to experience a scratchy, sore throat. The discomfort can be due to inflammation, post-nasal drip or both. Depending on how much youre coughing, you could also develop laryngitis and hoarseness.

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How Is Cedar Fever Treated

Treatments for cedar fever are based on the severity of a patients symptoms. Treatments include:

  • twice daily application of topical nasal corticosteroids
  • sometimes montelukast, a leukotriene modifier approved for asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Traditional immunotherapy also works really well for many patients, Dr. Peters adds.

If you experience cedar fever, or if symptoms linger or worsen, schedule an appointment with a board-certified allergist to discuss treatment options and lifestyle changes.

Natural distribution map for Juniperus ashei . Ashes juniper has a limited range in southwestern North America. It occurs in disjunct populations in southwestern Missouri and Arkansas, in the Arbuckle Mountains of southern Oklahoma, and in Coahuila, Mexico. The main population occurs in west-central Texas, largely on the Edwards Plateau.

The Trees Of Tree Pollen Season In Florida

Juniperus / Juniper  Handy Andy

While grass pollen in Florida and other allergens are gearing up after winter, the award for the worst spring allergies in Florida goes to the trees. Interestingly, its pine trees which tend to produce the most pollen and not flowering trees .

The following trees are the main culprits during tree pollen season in Florida:

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Pollen Allergy Testing And Treatment

The good news is that you dont have to suffer through tree pollen season. Be sure to contact an allergy and asthma specialist for a formal allergy evaluation, preferably before the season begins or very early in the season. You may already know that you have a seasonal allergy, but do not know just which pollen you are allergic to. Allergists can determine the specific pollens that are causing your problems and can tell you when that pollen is expected to be in the air.

Your allergist will take a detailed history of any reactions youve had, then if indicated, he or she can test for allergies to identify the culprit allergen and determine the best course of treatment.

The most common method of testing for pollen allergies is a simple skin prick test. At our office, we use a very fine stylet that is lightly pressed against the skin. The stylet introduces individual pollens and other allergens to the immune system in your skin. If youre allergic or sensitive to a particular allergen, a small pink raised bump will appear within minutes where the skin prick test was placed.

For some people, a blood test may be the best option to determine your allergic sensitivity. A small amount of your blood is taken and tested to check for antibodies that respond to specific allergens. Depending on your allergy test results, we can offer guidance about the best and most direct course of action for your symptoms.

When Should I Start Taking Allergy Meds

Theres no point in waiting until youre miserable to take allergy meds. In fact, allergists recommend you start taking meds a couple of weeks before allergy season arrives, or, at the latest, take them the moment you notice symptoms, says Dr. Parikh. Taking them early can stop an immune system freak-out before it happens, lessening the severity of symptoms, she adds. Check out the National Allergy Map to figure out when to start taking meds based on where you live.

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As for which allergy meds to take, if youre seriously stuffed, start with steroid nasal sprays such as Flonase or Rhinocort, which reduce inflammation-induced stuffiness, says Dr. Keet. And if you’ve got itching, sneezing, and a runny nose too, look for non-sedating antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Xyzal, or Allegra, she adds.

Just remember: While OTC allergy meds suppress symptoms, they dont cure the problem, so they may be less effective if your allergies are worsening, notes Dr. Parikh.

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When Is Allergy Season

Allergy season can start as early as January in Southern states and linger into November. If you have symptoms year-round or your allergies are worse indoors, you may be allergic to dust mites or pet dander. The key is to see your doctor and find out whats causing your symptoms.

What is a juniper allergy?

How Do I Manage My Allergy

Tree on Fire from Juniper tree Pollen

The management of allergic rhinitis includes avoidance of relevant allergens, symptomatic treatment, and allergen immunotherapy.6,7,8

  • Check local pollen counts daily and limit time outside when tree-pollen counts are high. Rain helps clear pollen from the air, so the best time to go outside is after a good rain.
  • Delegate outdoor chores whenever possible and wear a pollen mask if you must do outside tasks.
  • Keep windows closed and use air conditioning instead.
  • Wash bedding at least once a week in hot, soapy water.
  • Wash your clothes after outdoor activities and dry all clothes in a dryer as opposed to line drying outdoors.
  • Bathe and wash your hair every day before bedtime to keep pollen out of your bed.
  • Wipe off any pets to remove pollen before letting them into your home.
  • Ensure everyone removes their shoes before entering your home.
  • Use certified asthma and allergy air filters.
  • Pharmacological treatment, including antihistamines, corticosteroids, decongestants, and saline douches.
  • Allergen immunotherapy as directed by your healthcare provider.

Looking for more allergy info and management tips?

Mountain juniper tree allergy symptoms can be similar to many other pollen allergies and may include:4,6

  • Itchy throat and eyes

If you’re sensitized to mountain juniper trees and have asthma, tree pollen may trigger or worsen asthma symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing.4,6

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How Do I Know If I’m Allergic*

Together with your symptom history, skin-prick testing or specific IgE blood testing can help determine if you are sensitized to a particular allergen. If you are diagnosed with an allergy, your healthcare provider will work with you to create a management plan.

*These products may not be approved for clinical use in your country. Please work with your healthcare provider to understand availability.

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