When is allergy season in Texas? It depends on where you live (2023)

FAQs

What is allergy season in Texas? ›

Worst Seasons for Allergies

Below are peak blooming/allergy seasons for trees common in and around Texas: September, February-March: Fall Elm. Winter months: Mountain Cedar. Spring months: Ash, Mulberry, Sycamore, Willow.

High levels of carbon dioxide produces warmer temperature and therefore longer growing season. Long growing season means more pollen in the air. The asthma and allergy foundation also says air pollutants can change the structure of pollen grains to make it more allergenic.

Grass Pollen

The grass allergy season in Texas usually begins in early March and continues till mid-October.

The pollination of ragweed occurs nearly the same time each year and lasts between six and eight weeks. In north central Texas area (Dallas Fort Worth), the season ranges from mid-August through November or until the first frost. In many areas, however, ragweed pollen levels usually peak in mid September.

San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, and Waco rank worse than the majority of the country when it comes to allergies. But the question still remains, why is it that Texas is so bad when it comes to allergies? The main reason is due to the temperate climate. Plants in Texas only endure occasional periods of freeze, if any.

Studies spanning the last two decades have confirmed that asthma,^1,4–9 allergic sensitization,^7,10 wheezing,^4,11 atopy,^11,12 and hay fever,^4,10,13–14 are less commonly reported among farm-reared children than urban counterparts.

Best States for Allergies

Based on the AAFA data, the best states for people with allergies are: Utah. California. North Carolina.

Austin ranks No. 50 on the list of the most challenging cities to live in with allergies, far behind our neighbors. Houston ranks No. 28, San Antonio ranks No.

Allergies Explained: Your guide to allergies in Central …

Central Texas has been called the “Allergy Capital of the World,” and Austin has ranked as one of the worst cities for allergy sufferers for years.

AAFA's 2022 Allergy Capitals list shows the states with the highest number of “challenging” seasonal allergy cities are Connecticut, Texas and New York — which have three cities each. Florida, Pennsylvania and South Carolina come in second with two cities each.

What is the allergy capital of the US? ›

2022-allergy-capitals-scranton-pa-worse-city-sm

Scranton, Pennsylvania, is not only our #1 overall Allergy Capital for the year, but it also ranks #1 separately for both spring and fall allergies.

Allergy season typically lasts six to eight weeks beginning in March and April and can last up to three months, according to Hogue, but pnce plants and trees start drying up and temperatures shift, he said it is usually a good sign allergy season is coming to an end.

Over-the-counter medications can help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. Antihistamines will help reduce sneezing, itching, watery eyes and runny nose. Popular choices include Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, and Alavert. Decongestants such as Sudafed and nasal sprays like Afrin help with nasal congestion.

For starters, cedar fever isn't a flu or a virus – it's an allergic reaction to the pollen released by mountain cedar trees. In Texas, the predominant species of mountain cedar is the Ashe juniper.

The ragweed plant is found all over Texas, though it's most common in the wide-open rangelands. The weed itself is a hearty, green stalk with yellow flowers and polyps of pollen. It thrives across dry, hot, and arid landscapes (where other vegetation may have difficulty growing).

There is no cure for ragweed allergies, but there are treatments available to help alleviate your symptoms. If you have allergic asthma, your doctor may prescribe medications such as inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators to help control your symptoms.

The western United States is the best place to live for allergy sufferers. Arid and mountainous regions prevent the proliferation of airborne allergens. Dust mites are also sparsely found in the West. You may want to consider moving to cities like Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Abilene, Texas. According to the latest data, Abilene has a considerably low asthma rate. Also, 10 years ago Abilene adopted a ban on smoking in public and work places, which creates a suitable environment for asthma sufferers.

Is dry or humid better for allergies? ›

Moisture makes mold grow, both indoors and out. Dust mites also thrive in humid air. But if you're allergic to pollen, humid or damp days are good. The moisture weighs down the pollen, keeping it on the ground.

Pollen allergy sufferers know what alleviates their complaints: rain, humid air and the absence of wind. House dust allergy sufferers experience significantly pronounced complaints during the dry hot period. The experts say to them: Be careful with humidity — 30 or 40 percent is better than 50 percent!

Allergies may simply worsen with age because you've been exposed to the triggers longer, Parikh says. "It takes repeated exposure to develop allergies. It can take a while for the immune system to decide it doesn't like that allergen."

If you live in Alaska, consider yourself lucky. You live in the only state where ragweed doesn't grow. Ragweed has even been introduced to Hawaii. Within the 49 states where ragweed grows, there are 17 different types of ragweed.

Are allergies worse in cities? The answer is yes. According to the professionals, although all plants pollinate, not all plants trigger allergies. To do so, that pollen has to reach the airways, a process that is facilitated by the atmospheric conditions of urban environments.

Houston is not the best place to live if you suffer from allergies. Houston is currently ranked #34 on the Top 100 Allergy Capitals, moving up 16 spots after being ranked 50th in 2021.

#10 – Austin, TX – While the Ashe juniper is the cause of the higher-than-average pollen count, Texas' capital has less asthma emergency room visits and better air quality than other areas of the U.S. Likewise, there is fewer asthma diagnoses made here. Why?

Dry, windy days:

Gusts of wind can blow pollen and other allergens into the air, causing hay fever and other reactions. If you have a pollen allergy, it's wise to stay indoors with the windows shut on windy days.

What causes fall allergies in Texas? ›

Much like ragweed, outdoor molds cause the most irritation until the first frost. They are most commonly found in soil, composts and leaves. Rare types of weeds – Though these types of weed are only seen in various parts of the country, goldenrod, curly dock, pigweed and sagebrush can also cause fall allergies.

March to September: Grass pollen

This allergy season often peaks in summer. And yes, all those lawnmowers will help spread it. But even more grass pollen comes from wild uncut grass that grows on roadsides and other places.

If you're allergic to chocolate, you likely can still enjoy white chocolate. However, your reaction to white chocolate will depend on the actual reasons you're allergic or sensitive to chocolate. People who are allergic to chocolate often replace it in recipes with carob, a legume similar in taste and color.

Australia has the dubious crown as the allergy capital in the world, with the UK following as a close second. In Australia, food allergies are seen in 10% of infants, 4-8% of children and around 2% of adults.

States rich in trees, grass, and weeds contain a lot of allergens. These include areas in the Northeast like Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut. Virginia, Kansas, and Texas also have a high rate of allergens.

Like every year, allergy season 2022 will roughly last from early spring to fall, i.e., March to October. However, not all allergens are present throughout this period.

In many areas of the United States, spring allergies begin in February and last until the early summer. Tree pollination begins earliest in the year followed by grass pollination later in the spring and summer and ragweed in the late summer and fall.

What allergy medicine works best for ragweed? ›

Oral antihistamines.

Antihistamines can help relieve sneezing, itching, a stuffy or runny nose, and watery eyes. Examples of oral antihistamines include cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy) and loratadine (Claritin, Alavert).

Studies have shown equal effectiveness for Zyrtec and Claritin for allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

Over-the-counter antihistamines, such as Zyrtec or Claritin, are a great way to reduce itching, sneezing, and stuffiness. Nasal sprays like Flonase are also effective if used before symptoms begin. It may take some trial and error to discover the best allergy medication for you.

Houseplants for Allergies

The top plants they recommend include the following: Mums and peace lilies, which help to remove PCE from the air. Golden pothos and philodendron, which can control formaldehyde. Gerbera daisies to control benzene.

Grass Pollen

Ryegrass, Timothy grass, Bermuda grass and some types of weeds are some common allergens which trigger many people.

In many areas of the United States, spring allergies begin in February and last until the early summer. Tree pollination begins earliest in the year followed by grass pollination later in the spring and summer and ragweed in the late summer and fall.

When is the California allergy season? California allergy season is typically from late January to early November.

Allergy season lasts until the fall

Allergy season typically lasts six to eight weeks beginning in March and April and can last up to three months, according to Hogue, but pnce plants and trees start drying up and temperatures shift, he said it is usually a good sign allergy season is coming to an end.

Do allergies worsen as we age? ›

Allergies can worsen over time because, as you age, your immune system changes. Sometimes it can become intolerant to allergens it used to tolerate. Seasonal allergies can also be worse due to climate change.

People tend to experience intense allergies between the ages of 5 and 16, then get a couple of decades off before the symptoms return in the 30s, only to diminish around retirement age. Three types of explanations have been proposed: environmental, infectious, and psychological.

One of the biggest causes of nighttime allergies is dust mites - microscopic, spider-like bugs that feed on exfoliated human skin cells. These critters can be found in mattresses, pillows, bed linens, carpets and upholstered furniture. Dust mites won't bite you or harm you.

In most states, allergy season is limited to spring because this is when most pollinating plants release pollen dust, which irritates the sinuses. Pollination season usually ends when spring turns to summer—but not for Texas. Texas's dry winters are to blame for residents' year-round allergy issues.

With allergy shots, the individual is injected with gradually increasing amounts of ragweed allergens. Both methods can help the body build tolerance to ragweed pollen and reduce the immune response, but it may take several months or years for immunotherapy to be effective.

Treating a ragweed allergy isn't always easy, and we can be exposed to ragweed pollen even when we try to avoid the outdoors. Learn how to use FLONASE nasal sprays to help you treat your ragweed allergy symptoms. You can also help reduce your allergy symptoms by reducing your exposure to ragweed pollen.

To avoid pollen, know which pollens you are sensitive to and then check pollen counts. In spring and summer, during tree and grass pollen season, levels are highest in the evening. In late summer and early fall, during ragweed pollen season, levels are highest in the morning.