Cedar season arrives

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Allergist Dr. Juan L. Rodriguez knows his office at Austin Regional Clinic's south location will soon fill up with people complaining of runny noses, itchy eyes and just feeling lousy. Cedar season is here.

"They feel sick," said Allergist Dr. Juan L. Rodriguez. "It's something you don't see with other pollens like ragweed or oak. It can be pretty nasty as far as how it makes you feel."

Dr. Rodriguez says if the weather continues to be as dry and windy as it has been in December you can expect the cedar season to be more severe. The wind easily transports the cedar pollen all across the region.

"It tends to be very light and is picked up by wind, and you don't necessarily have to have a cedar tree right next to you," said Rodriguez. "It gets to you, because it just covers the whole area."

Doctors have already reported cedar allergy problems at all these locations: St. David's South Austin Medical Center, the Heart Hospital of Austin and the St. David's Urgent Care Facilities in Kyle, Circle C and Pflurgerville.

Some of the cedar allergies have been inducing asthma and leading to sinusitis.

The peak cedar levels should begin to show up around the first week in January. If you recently moved here the cedar may not bother you this year, but you're not out of the woods. Dr. Rodriguez told us often the body needs repeated exposure to the pollen before cedar fever hits.

Dr. Rodriguez suggests getting started on a nasal steroid spray now if you know the cedar pollen bothers you.  If your allergies are severe, he said you may consider allery shots.  Many doctors also recommend rinsing the sinus cavities with a salt water mixture.

The Austin Regional Clinic has an Austin Allergy Calendar detailing when pollens are expected to be at their highest levels.