Texas allergies: why your spring starts in January
Mountain cedar pollinates in the middle of winter, oak follows, then grass, then ragweed. In Texas, allergy season is less a season than a relay race. Here is the calendar and what actually helps.
The Texas allergy calendar
Allergy seasons here overlap, which is why people feel like they are sick for months. A rough map:
- December–February: mountain cedar (Ashe juniper), the source of “cedar fever” in Austin, San Antonio, and the Hill Country. Counts can spike into the thousands on a dry, windy day.
- February–April: oak, elm, ash, and pecan.
- April–June: grass pollen, especially Bermuda and Timothy.
- September–November: ragweed, fall elm, and mold after rain.
- Year-round: indoor allergens — dust mites, pet dander, cockroach, and mold.
Weather matters as much as the calendar. Warm, dry, windy days lift pollen. Rain washes it out briefly, then mold counts rise in the days after.
The short version
- Mountain cedar causes “cedar fever” from December through February in Central Texas.
- Check the daily pollen count and plan outdoor exercise for the lowest-count window.
- Saline rinses, second-generation antihistamines, and nasal steroids are the standard first steps.
- Allergy shots or sublingual tablets can change the disease, not just the symptoms.
Reduce the dose
You cannot avoid pollen entirely, but you can lower the dose enough to matter.
- Check a local pollen count before outdoor plans. Many weather apps and the National Allergy Bureau publish daily counts.
- Keep windows closed during high-count days and run the air conditioning on recirculate.
- Change your HVAC filter every one to three months with a MERV 11–13 rating. Higher is not always better — the system has to be able to move air.
- Shower and change clothes after time outside, and wash bedding weekly in hot water.
- Wear a hat and sunglasses; pollen lands on hair and lashes.
- Wipe pets down when they come in during peak season.
In Texas, allergy season is not a month. It is a relay race with a very short baton pass.
What actually helps
For mild symptoms, start with a saline nasal rinse and a second-generation antihistamine (cetirizine, loratadine, or fexofenadine). These cause less drowsiness than first-generation options. A nasal steroid spray is more effective for congestion and takes one to two weeks to reach full effect, so it works best when started before the season.
Decongestant sprays should not be used for more than three days; rebound congestion is real. If you take other medications or have high blood pressure, ask a pharmacist before adding anything.
Allergies and asthma travel together
If you also wheeze, cough at night, or get short of breath, mention it. Uncontrolled allergic rhinitis makes asthma harder to manage, and both improve when treated together.
Get the Cedar Fever Checklist
One page. Print it, tape it to the fridge, and hand it to whoever needs it.
- The Texas pollen calendar, month by month
- Symptom tracker to tell cedar from a cold
- What actually helps, and when to see a clinician
When to see an allergist
Consider a referral if symptoms last more than a few weeks despite over-the-counter treatment, if you get sinus infections repeatedly, if you are using a rescue inhaler more than twice a week, or if you want to reduce medication long-term.
Allergen immunotherapy — shots or sublingual tablets — gradually trains the immune system to tolerate the trigger. It is the closest thing to a disease-modifying treatment and can reduce symptoms for years after the course ends. It requires a commitment of three to five years, so it is worth a real conversation rather than a quick decision.
Smoke, ozone, and bad air days
Texas summers bring ozone alerts, and wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles. On those days, treat air quality like weather: check AirNow.gov, keep windows closed, run the HVAC on recirculate, and move exercise indoors.
People with asthma, COPD, heart disease, older adults, and children are most vulnerable. If you have asthma, keep a written action plan and make sure your rescue inhaler is not expired.
Educational, not medical advice
This guide is for general information. It does not replace an assessment from a clinician who knows your history. If something feels urgent, call your provider or 911.
