Is It Allergy Season In Texas

What Are The Best Allergy Treatment Options

There are several good options available without the inconvenience or expense of visiting a physician. The two primary medications are antihisamines and nasal steriouds.

An antihistamine tries to block the receptor before the histamine gets there or to bump the histamine off, but antihistamine attaches in such a manner as to relieve symptoms.

However, there is a competition between the histamine and the antihistamine. With mild allergy symptoms, or low pollen counts, an antihistamine is sufficient. If the pollen counts rise, or allergies are more severe, it is not possible to take enough antihistamine to overcome the effects of the histamine.

Allergists Located In Dallas Tx & Plano Tx

Seasonal allergies may come and go, but while they last, patients are miserable from all the sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, and a never-ending runny or congested nose. The board-certified allergists at North Texas Allergy & Asthma Associates can determine which allergen causes the problem, then help relieve your symptoms with medications or start you on allergy shots or sublingual drops. Call or schedule an appointment online to visit the doctors at any of their three locations in North Texas: Texas Health Dallas, Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, and Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.

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Consult With Houston Ent & Allergy For Your Allergy Symptoms

If you’re suffering from allergies and avoidance measures aren’t working, consult with us here at Houston ENT & Allergy. At one of our Houston ENT locations, one of our ENT doctors can perform a comprehensive physical exam and skin allergy testing to determine what the exact allergens are that are affecting you specifically. We can even find out specific Houston area allergens you’re allergic to. Well prescribe you the right treatment for your allergies so you can finally stop suffering from Houston allergy symptoms and enjoy life.

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The Unending Allergy Season Of East Texas

Spring brings with it beautiful blossoms, a chance to spend more time outside and pollen. Allergies cause problems all over the country, but it can seem like this region gets hit particularly hard. East Texas may be particularly bothersome for allergic patients as the pollination may be more prolific than in other areas and the seasons may be prolonged, explains Dr. Jonathan Buttram, allergist and immunologist at UT Health East Texas. For instance, ragweed season in the Northeast may last three to four weeks, whereas in East Texas, it may last three months. Since allergies will affect a large portion of this community, Dr. Buttram shares how allergies work and how to find relief.

What are allergies?

Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance, such as pollen or pet dander, that doesnt cause a reaction in most people. When you have allergies, your immune system makes antibodies that identify a particular allergen as harmful, even though it isnt. When you come into contact with the allergen, your immune systems reaction can inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.

How common are seasonal allergies?

What can be done to lessen symptoms?

What should I watch out for?

Dont assume you have allergies. Many non-allergic syndromes may mimic the symptoms of allergies. This is often the case when allergy treatments dont seem to work. A detailed history and appropriate testing can help sort this out.

Who can help?

The Four Seasons In South And Central Texas

In South and Central Texas, we have four seasons, they simply go by different names: Mountain Cedar, Spring Trees, Summer Grasses, and Ragweed/Pigweed.

Equipping ourselves to battle pollen during selective seasons requires a good understanding of the causes of allergies and available treatment options. Over the past 20 years, treatment options have improved greatly.

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Treating Allergies In Houston

Avoiding allergens is usually the first recommendation to manage allergy symptoms, however, this can often be difficult. Some allergy prevention tips may include:

• Venetian blinds

• General clutter or “dust catchers”

Get rid of items like stuffed animals, draperies, carpeting or upholstered furniture in the bedrooms.

Most Common Allergens In Houston Texas

Allergy season is bad each year in Houston. And, according to Houston Chronicle article, Dr. Joshua Septimus, an internist associated with Weill Cornell Medical School and Houston Methodist Hospital, hasn’t seen a year yet that wasn’t severe. It’s really about to what degree of severity it is.

The overall allergic rhinitis prevalence worldwide has been trending higher over the past 30 years even more in developing countries. Allergies, however, are more commonplace in the U.S. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates allergic rhinitis affects around 20 million adults and 6.1 million children.

This upward trend has no clear explanation, however, there is the “hygiene” theory which implies if you can limit bacteria exposure in early childhood, this could make it so the immune system later on in life becomes more reactive to often harmless agents like dust mites or pollen. Also, bacteria exposure is being significantly reduced through the use of antibacterial agents in everyday products like hand soap and wipes.

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by symptoms such as:

• Sneezing

• Watery eyes

• Nasal congestion

Of course, in addition to allergies, colds and flu are also running rampage this time of year, so be sure to read our blog post Allergies vs. Cold or Flu: DIfference and Symptoms.

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Common Allergens In Houston

At certain times of the year, Houston is at its highest allergy levels. Looking at Houston’s Health Departments allergy index, in March, tree pollen is very heavy.

The symptoms of allergies listed above may occur when your body thinks that typically harmless allergens are actually harmful antigens and it releases histamine into your bloodstream. However, what are Houston’s allergy causes that bring on these symptoms in people?

Several allergens in Houston can affect you. By knowing the allergens you’re allergic to and receiving treatment, you can improve your symptoms and feel better and possibly even avoid the allergens in the first place. Some common allergens in the Houston area that allergy sufferers deal with are as follows.

How To Deal With Texas Allergies

Allergy season in Texas is all year long. Sometimes it is stronger than others and sometimes you will know even before you watch the news simply as soon as you wake up. Here are a few ways to stay ahead of the your allergies:

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Managing Allergens In Your Texas Home

Because Texas has year-round air allergens, it is very important to take preventative action to avoid them. Your HVAC unit is designed to move air throughout your home. This means that it can also spread common allergens like oak pollen and mountain cedar throughout the home. Maintaining your HVAC unit with preventative maintenance and professional cleanings is one of the best ways to avoid an especially difficult allergy season.

Taking steps like sealing ducts can also help with keeping harmful allergens out of the home. Pollen that is responsible for the most common allergy attacks can make it inside the home through the HVAC unit, household cracks, or leaky ducts.

Allergy Season Has Arrived In West Texas

ODESSA, Texas – If you are sniffling and sneezing, seasonal allergies could be to blame.

Dr. John Bray stated that the cause for your allergy flare up could be from the current allergens in the air such as weeds, Cedar Juniper, and dirt. He also explained that even though the pollen count is lower compared to other places in the United States, he is still seeing people with bad allergies due to a priming effect caused by respirable dirt.

So even though the pollen count isnt really particularly high out here, we get a lot of people with allergies. Its kind of primes them to make an immune response against what is in the air, said Dr. Bray.

Though allergies are still very present, Dr. Bray noticed that there has been less of an allergy affect this year compared to previous years thanks to the Coronavirus precautions that have been taken.

So we actually had less respiratory illnesses and less allergy affect, I think. I think its second to the conservative pattern people had to live under COVID, said Dr. Bray.

For help with allergies and the Flu this season, Dr. Bray suggests taking allergy medicine, getting your Flu shot, and continue to take COVID-19 precautions such as wearing masks, washing hands, an social distancing.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Cedar Fever

Cedar fever symptoms are similar to those of hay fever:

• sneezing
• congestion
• runny nose.

The symptoms start very suddenly and significantly so that it seems almost flu-like, says Edward Peters, MD, of Allergy & Asthma Consultants in Austin. However, while most flu infections are accompanied by a substantial fever, cedar fever is not.

Check The Pollen Forecast

Monitor pollen counts via the newspaper, television, or internet and schedule outdoor activities when counts are low. Most sources will give you a range of pollen counts over several days. Pollen counts generally rise in the morning, peak about midday, fall during the afternoon and early evening, and are often at their worst on warm, dry days.

If you need further assistance with allergy treatment or any health care need, schedule a visit at one of our Calvary Medical Clinic offices today. Were here to help. Call our office or book an appointment online.

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How To Survive And Thrive During The Austin Allergy Madness

Its worth noting, in natures defense, that pollen is not actually trying to harm you. In fact, its harmless. However, when we breathe it in, our bodies are tricked into thinking the pollen is a foreign invader, causing our body to produces antibodies in response. So basically, our own defense system is what causes our symptomsa unique human flaw. Lucky for us, over the years, scientists and doctors have discovered the best ways to treat allergies, so we can go about our lives and enjoy natures gifts instead of loathing them. To ease your suffering during whatever season triggers your allergies, begin treatment 2-4 weeks prior to when heightened levels of pollen are expected to be in the air.

Potential treatment options include:

Why Is Texas Bad For Allergies

Texas is bad for allergies because the year round mild weather creates an environment in which plants are regularly pollinating. This pollen is what causes allergy symptoms.

In other parts of the country, allergy sufferers come to dread spring. This is when the grasses and the flowers all release their pollen, leading to an upswing in symptoms.

As mild spring days give way to summer heat, the pollination stops. In winter, the pollinators turn dormant, and allergies cause far fewer issues. And then summer comes back around, and allergies start up again.

But Texas does it differently. Because the winters are typically mild, plants dont go dormant. Instead, some of them continue to pollinate.

The Texas weather accommodates year round growth, which is what leads to an all year allergy season.

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How Can I Reduce Symptoms Of Cedar Fever

Keeping cedar pollen from getting inside your home is key. Some tried-and-true tips:

Keep windows and doors closed.

Take off your shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking pollen on floors.

Install a HEPA filter, especially in bedrooms.

Vacuum often.

Change clothes after being outside and take a bath or shower before bed to wash pollen off skin and hair.

As with any seasonal allergy, people with both asthma and cedar allergies should follow their Asthma Action Plan, monitor symptoms closely, take quick-relief medication if necessary, and seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing or other symptoms of distress.

An earlier version of this post was written by Kimberly Pellicore, mother of two children, one of whom has severe food allergies and asthma. She is a freelance writer in Kingwood, Texas, and author of the blog thefoodallergymom.org.

Reviewed by:Eileen Censullo, RRT, is a respiratory therapist. She currently serves as Director of Network Relations for the American Heart Association. She was on the executive board of the Pennsylvania Society for Respiratory Care from 1995 to 2015. She has also served as Respiratory Care Manager at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania.

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Understanding The Different Allergy Seasons In Texas

Because allergy offenders present themselves at different times of the year, its technically always allergy season. And for those suffering from only seasonal allergies, it can be helpful to make note of the time of year when your allergies are the worst to figure out exactly what is causing your symptoms.

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Seasonal Allergies In Texas And How To Deal With Them

Texas is a popular place to call home and a tourist attraction thanks to the vastness and diversity of its climate and landscape. Most newcomers who visit Texas for the first time arent aware of some of the allergies that the locals have already adjusted to.

The seasonal allergies in Texas can be whittled down to four times in the year: winter, spring, summer and, fall. The main culprit is the proliferation of local flora such as trees and grasses. Heres what happens during each of these seasons:

How Long Does The Allergy Season Last

There is a common misconception that allergy season starts in the spring and ends a few months later. However, allergy season is not as concrete as many assume, and many are find its lasting longer now than in previous years. There are many factors that determine how long individuals will be affected by allergies.

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Allergy Season Has Arrived In Texas

Alan Goldsobel, MD, Allergist from Tivic Health on How to Manage Your Texas Allergies

San Francisco, March 4, 2020 Spring is here and so are the tree and grass pollens that signal the start of allergy season. Major cities in Texas such as McAllen, El Paso, San Antonio, and metropolitan areas like Dallas and Austin are among the top U.S. cities with the highest pollen counts, making these regions particularly challenging for allergy sufferers.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America most seasonal spring allergies known as hay fever or seasonal rhinitis – are caused by tree pollen as the trees bud and grow new leaves. Some of the most common Texas trees producing allergy-aggravating pollen are cedar, birch, poplar, willow, aspen, and beech.

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Coping With Allergy Season In Texas

When itâs allergy season in Texas, youâll know soon enough, without needing to consult the news for the latest allergies forecast. There are steps you can take to minimize the effects of allergens, including:

• Replace carpeting with floors in your home. Itâs easier to sweep away allergens than to vacuum them up

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Antihistamine And Intranasal Steroids

Antihistamine medications are easily accessible over the counter without a prescription. They work by blocking the histamine that inflammatory cells release from its receptor during an allergy response. You’ll even find antihistamines that won’t make you drowsy like the older generation medications did.

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.

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