While winter season is typically a calming time for those who suffer from pollen allergies, the opposite is true for allergy sufferers in the southwestern U.S. region.

In , the tree (or mountain cedar) releases its pollen between December and February – leading to “cedar fever” symptoms including sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, congestion and runny nose.

These allergy symptoms begin very suddenly and intensely, and can be accompanied by including a sore throat, fatigue, aches and pains. While inflammation of the immune system caused by cedar fever can slightly elevate your body temperature, it will . If your fever exceeds that temperature, cedar pollen isn’t likely the cause.

Which symptoms are purely caused by cedar pollen allergies and which ones are linked to COVID-19? This diagram published by the shows which symptoms overlap and differ.

In some cases, the pollen from Ashe Juniper trees are so concentrated that even .

Here are a few tips to manage your symptoms:

• Check in your area, and keep windows and doors closed on high pollen count days.


• and change clothes after being outside, followed by a bath or shower before bed to wash pollen off skin and hair.


• Change your air conditioning filter every 3 months. Choose a  to filter out smaller particles.


• Use natural remedies like a Neti pot or saline rinse once a day.


• If you prefer drug-free alternatives, consider using the , an FDA-cleared and clinically proven solution.  ClearUP is a small handheld alternative for allergy-related sinus pain and one treatment takes only 5 minutes.


• Removing cedar trees from your property is primarily because the pollen is airborne and they are often released in cold, dry, windy conditions and blow for miles.

Other Resources:

(KXAN-NBC Austin)

(Tivic Health Blog)

(Texas A&M Forest Service)

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