When the grasses and flowers come alive in the spring, it’s a glorious occasion. A riotous explosion of color and, unfortunately, of pollen.
For allergy sufferers, spring can be a time to dread. The pollen that causes spring to be so beautiful also leads to runny noses, itchy eyes, and persistent sneezing.
In Texas, allergy season is slightly different. Rather than just occurring in spring, allergy season lasts almost the entire year. And that includes winter, when the ragweed and the cedar release their pollen.
The best way to deal with allergy season is to be prepared for it. In this guide, we’ve covered everything you need to know about Texas allergy season, and what you can do to reduce symptoms.
When Is Allergy Season In Texas?
Unfortunately for allergy sufferers, allergy season in Texas is pretty much year round. However, things tend to be at their worst in spring, and from late summer through fall and into winter.
The best time to be an allergy sufferer in Texas is between June and July. During these hot summer months, most plants have stopped pollination.
But be prepared for things to pick back up again in August, when the ragweed starts releasing its pollen.
The pollen count is at its highest in spring, fall, and at points in winter. Different pollinators are at work throughout the year in Texas, leading to this incredibly long allergy season.
Common Seasonal Allergies
The Texas allergy season is long, but that doesn’t mean the same plants are always releasing pollen. This guide explains what common allergens to look out for, and when they’re most likely to occur.
Ragweed Pollen
Ragweed is notorious among the allergy community, and Texas is one of the worst places for it.
One single ragweed plant can release a billion grains of pollen during the season, and ragweed is abundant across Texas. Once the pollen is released, it’s easily picked up by the air, and can travel for up to 400 miles.
Ragweed can cause runny noses and sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, and even asthma symptoms.
Ragweed season is between August and November, with the peak of it usually hitting in mid-September. The hot summers in Texas have led to a longer ragweed season, unfortunately.
Mountain Cedar Pollen
The mountain cedar tree is part of the reason why fall in Texas is so beautiful, but it’s also the cause of some pretty bad seasonal allergies.
Known as “cedar fever”, the cedar allergy season in Texas typically occurs between November and February.
Common reactions to cedar pollen include a runny nose, blocked nose, and sneezing. Itchy and watery eyes are also common occurrences. Cedar pollen is at its worst in Central Texas, although the light pollen spores can carry far.
Grass Pollen
Spring is a common allergy season, because that’s when grasses tend to release their pollen. In Texas, there are several types of grasses that can trigger a reaction.
Bermuda grass, Timothy grass, Johnson grass, Ryegrass, and Kentucky bluegrass all release pollen. Grass is found all over Texas, and the lightweight pollen can cause serious issues for allergy sufferers.
Those suffering from a grass pollen allergy will typically complain of a sore throat, runny nose, and watering eyes. It can also lead to wheezing.
Grass pollen season lasts throughout spring, from March to May.
Elm, Ash, And Mulberry
Trees are a huge issue for allergy sufferers in Texas, and elm, ash, and mulberry pick up where mountain cedar left off. These trees tend to release their pollen from January through to May.
Wheezing, watery and itchy eyes, an itchy throat, sneezing, and a runny nose are all symptoms caused by tree pollen.
Mold And Dust
Year-round irritants that many allergy sufferers are aware of, mold and dust release spores that can irritate the body. Unlike pollen, these allergy irritants aren’t seasonal.
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 don’t 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.
What Can Be Done To Reduce Allergy Symptoms?
It’s difficult to truly avoid allergies, particularly in a place like Texas, where they cause issues throughout the year. But, there are things that can be done to reduce the symptoms caused by allergies.
- Regularly clean the house to remove pollen. Fabrics and carpets can often trap pollen, so make sure to clean the floors.
- Keep doors and windows shut when possible.
- Wash pets after they’ve been outdoors.
- Wash your hair and clothes after you’ve been outdoors, to remove any pollen that may be captured.
- Speak to your doctor about medications for allergy sufferers.
- Stay indoors when the pollen count is particularly high.
- Use warm water to flush your nasal passages.
If you find allergies are having a serious impact on your life and health, speak to a doctor as soon as possible.
Final Thoughts
The good news for allergy sufferers in Texas is that pollen is low in June and July. The bad news is that the rest of the year can be seen as one long allergy season.
Due to the warm fall weather and mild winters commonly experienced in Texas, pollination occurs throughout the year.
However, it isn’t all bad. Staying aware of pollen levels, cleaning, and over the counter medication can all be used to lessen allergy symptoms.
And when June and July roll around, you can make the most of breathing (almost) pollen free air!
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