She recently moved to a higher elevation where she will be enjoying (not really) the joys of cold weather, freezing conditions, and regular snows. We were hoping that she would find some relief in her allergies since so many plants will be totally dormant. Life isn't exactly working out that way.
I went to search out a few sites that will give a bit of input on what to do about the winter allergies. Here's a couple of basic info articles.
Winter Allergies - How to Stay Healthy
Some people get relief from their allergies this time of year. I'm not one of them... How about you?
You see, it all depends on what you are allergic to. "Lucky" seasonal allergy sufferers usually find that this time of year, pollen is pretty much nonexistent, as are mold spores, at least if a frost has hit your area by now.
The exception is people who live in more temperate areas that may not get frosts or at least not until deep winter hits. But even for those folks, pollen levels should be much lower, and symptoms much less.
But for those of us who are also allergic to indoor triggers, there is no respite this time of year, at least not enough of one. I'll admit that my symptoms aren't quite as severe once the pollen and outdoor mold counts go down, but I'm never really without some kind of symptoms. And if you're an indoor allergy sufferer, you probably feel the same.
Winter Allergy Triggers
As I said, the allergens around this time of year are mostly the type found indoors, such as pet dander, indoor mold, insect droppings and dust mites. And those are all allergens that can be difficult to totally eliminate from your indoor living space, no matter how hard you try.
Any efforts you make, however, can be well worth it. Here are some previous posts that may help with those efforts:
I discuss those in more detail, along with giving some tips for dealing with them here: 5 Common Holiday Triggers & How to Avoid Them
Cedar Fever - Scourge of the South!
One last mention... if you live in the south (or Texas, which I prefer to think of as the southwest), you could also be feeling the effects of cedar fever this time of year. Cedar trees, for some reason, pollinate during the winter months.
So people who live in areas where this happens could suffer from severe pollen allergies this time of year too. I posted more info on this here.
In Summary
This is not the time to become lax in managing your allergies, if your allergens are still lurking in your environment. Keep taking your antihistamine medicines, avoid the allergens as much as you can and keep in touch with your doctor if things do get out of control.
And also, get plenty of rest, eat healthy and in general make healthy lifestyle choices, as those actions will keep you healthier overall!
This next article may very well be something that closely applies to my grand daughter.
You see, it all depends on what you are allergic to. "Lucky" seasonal allergy sufferers usually find that this time of year, pollen is pretty much nonexistent, as are mold spores, at least if a frost has hit your area by now.
The exception is people who live in more temperate areas that may not get frosts or at least not until deep winter hits. But even for those folks, pollen levels should be much lower, and symptoms much less.
But for those of us who are also allergic to indoor triggers, there is no respite this time of year, at least not enough of one. I'll admit that my symptoms aren't quite as severe once the pollen and outdoor mold counts go down, but I'm never really without some kind of symptoms. And if you're an indoor allergy sufferer, you probably feel the same.
Winter Allergy Triggers
As I said, the allergens around this time of year are mostly the type found indoors, such as pet dander, indoor mold, insect droppings and dust mites. And those are all allergens that can be difficult to totally eliminate from your indoor living space, no matter how hard you try.
Any efforts you make, however, can be well worth it. Here are some previous posts that may help with those efforts:
- Dust : The #1 Allergy Trigger?
- 7 Ways to Avoid Your Mold Allergy Triggers
- 5 Things In Your House You Need To Get Rid Of For Allergy Relief
I discuss those in more detail, along with giving some tips for dealing with them here: 5 Common Holiday Triggers & How to Avoid Them
Cedar Fever - Scourge of the South!
One last mention... if you live in the south (or Texas, which I prefer to think of as the southwest), you could also be feeling the effects of cedar fever this time of year. Cedar trees, for some reason, pollinate during the winter months.
So people who live in areas where this happens could suffer from severe pollen allergies this time of year too. I posted more info on this here.
In Summary
This is not the time to become lax in managing your allergies, if your allergens are still lurking in your environment. Keep taking your antihistamine medicines, avoid the allergens as much as you can and keep in touch with your doctor if things do get out of control.
And also, get plenty of rest, eat healthy and in general make healthy lifestyle choices, as those actions will keep you healthier overall!
This next article may very well be something that closely applies to my grand daughter.
Cedar Fever Is Coming To Town
“Cedar Fever” is a term given to allergies associated with
cypress and juniper tree pollen. The scientific family name for these
trees is “cypressaceae”. Although these allergies are typically thought
of affecting people in Austin Texas and Santa Fe New Mexico, many people
are affected each winter in Arizona as well. The common symptoms of
Cedar Fever include: sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, throat
drainage, and itchy, red, watering eyes. Other symptoms, which are
easily overlooked, are achiness, fatigue and low grade fevers, hence the
name “cedar fever”. Oftentimes these symptoms are attributed to the
common flu. Allergies to this type of tree pollen can also trigger
asthma.
In Arizona there are many trees which are “anemophilous” or wind born pollinators. The dry warm climate and wind allow these trees to reproduce. Juniper and cypress trees are evergreen trees and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be short or tall and resemble a bush more than a tree. The easiest way to distinguish between cypress and juniper trees is to look at their cones. The cypress trees have large round cones, while the juniper tree has “juniper berries”. These trees are not as prevalent down here in the valley; however, as you travel further north, higher altitudes support the growth of pine trees and juniper trees, also referred to as Pinyon-Juniper Woodland. These plants produce pollen that can be carried 40,000 feet up into the atmosphere and can be transferred fifty miles from the source. Typically the valley’s highest pollination season is in winter, or early December through February.
In summary, if each winter you feel like you have recurrent sinus infections, a cold, lasting flu, or asthma, your symptoms may just be from the native plants of Arizona. The next time you hear residents of Texas and New Mexico complaining of “cedar fever”, let them know that they are not the only ones who can lay claim to the allergies associated with Cedar Fever.
In Arizona there are many trees which are “anemophilous” or wind born pollinators. The dry warm climate and wind allow these trees to reproduce. Juniper and cypress trees are evergreen trees and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be short or tall and resemble a bush more than a tree. The easiest way to distinguish between cypress and juniper trees is to look at their cones. The cypress trees have large round cones, while the juniper tree has “juniper berries”. These trees are not as prevalent down here in the valley; however, as you travel further north, higher altitudes support the growth of pine trees and juniper trees, also referred to as Pinyon-Juniper Woodland. These plants produce pollen that can be carried 40,000 feet up into the atmosphere and can be transferred fifty miles from the source. Typically the valley’s highest pollination season is in winter, or early December through February.
In summary, if each winter you feel like you have recurrent sinus infections, a cold, lasting flu, or asthma, your symptoms may just be from the native plants of Arizona. The next time you hear residents of Texas and New Mexico complaining of “cedar fever”, let them know that they are not the only ones who can lay claim to the allergies associated with Cedar Fever.
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