Pollen and Allergen Information

Mountain Cedar Mountain Cedar

What sets Austin apart from anywhere else in the US is our winter cedar pollen season.  When most of the country is frozen with no blooming plants the cedar trees go crazy in Austin. The highest pollen counts ever recorded anywhere in the world occur annually when these trees cut loose.  The male cedar trees beome covered with small brown cones which burst open on dry, windy days to release pollen.  You can tell the season is about to start when the trees turn orange/brown.  Newcomers to Austin may think there is a fire in the woods when they see the clouds of pollen blowing.

Cedar trees pollinate between December 10th and March 1st with the highest levels in the first 3 weeks of January.  Some patients become almost incapacitated on days of high counts.  It is best to prepare for cedar season by starting prescription cortisone nasal  sprays 1-2 weeks before trees begin to pollinate. Fortuntely, allergy shots can be highly effective in reducing sensitivity to cedar.

Cedar tree pollinating in Dr Howland's back yard

Common Texas Spring Pollens

The major sources of Spring Allergens are trees and grasses. The heaviest pollinating trees in Austin are Oaks. Ash and Elm trees begin pollinating around mid February. Oak pollination beginsin March with peak levels usually around April 1st. Pecan and Cottonwood trees are the latest pollinators in May.

These oak trees on the University of Texas campus are covered with catkins, the green and yellow structures you see hanging from the branches. The catkins break open and release large amounts of allergens, espcially on dry, windy days. The catkins then fall to the ground. You will see them covering sidewalks, yards and streets in mid April. Sweeping the dried catkins releases even more pollen.

The most common pollinating grasses in Austin are Bermuda, Johnson and Rye. There are many other grasses but if you are allergic to Rye, you are allergic to all of them. Grass begins pollinating in March and may continue through October.  Usually the grass count drops to very low, almost undetectable levels in July and August when it gets dry and everything turns brown in Central Texas.

Austin Fall Pollens

Ragweed plants are the heaviest pollinators in the fall in Austin. Giant ragweed plants may grow to 15 or 20 feet tall in one season. Short ragweed plants are only 1-2 feet tall but may release more pollen than the larger plants. A single ragweed plant may release 1 billion grains of pollen in one season. 10 other types of weeds and Fall Elm trees also pollinate in the fall.

Giant Ragweed plants can be recognized by their large 3 part leaves (seen above) and their thick brushy stalks. Ragweed plants are covered with florets (which look like groups of tiny yellow inverted cups) which release pollen on dry windy days.

Yard work, especially mowing and leaf blowing, can stir lots of pollen and mold spores into the air. Mold grows on any organic matter (like leaves and grass) and in soil. Tremendous levels of mold spores can be found in compost piles or in any decaying materials. Unfortunately mold can grow almost anywhere indoors and outdoors (presently growing on the paint on the back of my house). Allergic reactions to mold are similar to reactions to other allergens like pollens, dust and pet dander.

If you are working outdoors wear a dust mask and gloves. Try not to touch your face or eyes while working. Wash your face and rinse out your eyes and nose (you can use over the counter tears and saline nose sprays like ocean) after you come indoors. Prior to yard work or outdoor activities on days with high mold or pollen counts use prescription eyedrops (like Patanol, Elestat, Optivar), prescription antihistamine pills (like Allegra or Clarinex or over the counter Claritin/Alavert/loratadine)or prescription nasal sprays (like Flonase, Nasonex, Astelin or over the counter Nasalcrom) to lessen symptoms.