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Well, let me tell ya, this here “cedar fever” in Austin, it’s a real pain in the neck, or should I say, a pain in the nose! Folks ’round here, they start sneezin’ and wheezin’ somethin’ fierce, and it ain’t no joke.
What is this cedar fever anyway?
It’s like this, there’s these trees, juniper trees they call ’em, and they got this nasty pollen stuff. Looks like little spiky burrs under a magnifying glass, the kind that sticks to everything – your hair, your clothes, even your poor dog. These trees, they start makin’ that pollen around the middle of December, when it gets cold, real cold sometimes. And then, bam! It hits ya like a ton of bricks.
When’s it the worst?
They say it gets real bad in January, that’s when most folks are sufferin’. I heard tell it’s way worse than oak pollen. Some doctor was sayin’ an oak pollen count of 800 is bad, but cedar can get up to 12,000! Can you imagine? 12,000 of them little spiky things flyin’ around, stickin’ to everything. No wonder folks are miserable.
- Sneezin’ a lot
- Runny nose, like a faucet
- Eyes waterin’ and itchin’
- Throat feelin’ scratchy
- Coughin’ and wheezin’
When does it start and end?
Usually, it starts kickin’ up around the middle of December, just when you’re tryin’ to enjoy the holidays. And it don’t let up till sometime in March. That’s a long time to be feelin’ miserable, let me tell ya. I’ve heard tell that some folks start sniffin’ and sneezin’ even earlier these days. Doctors are already seein’ patients with cedar allergies, even before December rolls around. Guess those trees are gettin’ a head start, the little rascals.
What can ya do about it?
Well, some folks take them allergy pills, but I ain’t too fond of ‘em. Makes me feel all jittery and weird. I try to stay inside when it’s real bad, and keep the windows closed. Washin’ your clothes and showerin’ more often helps get rid of that pesky pollen. And some folks use them air purifiers, I hear they work pretty good. But honestly, there ain’t no stoppin’ it, you just gotta ride it out. It’s like the weather, you can’t change it, you just gotta deal with it.
It’s everywhere in Central Texas!
This cedar fever, it ain’t just Austin, it’s all over Central Texas. Seems like everyone’s got it, or knows someone who does. It’s just part of livin’ here, I guess. Like the heat in the summer and the traffic on the highway. You just learn to live with it, even if it makes you wanna scratch your eyes out sometimes. And don’t forget about your pets! They can get allergies too, poor things. They’ll be scratchin’ and sneezin’ right along with ya. So, keep an eye on them, and maybe give ’em a bath more often, if they’ll let ya.
So, that’s the long and short of it.
Cedar fever in Austin, it’s a real pain. Lots of sneezin’, lots of coughin’, and lots of misery. But folks ‘round here, they’re tough. They just keep on goin’, even when their noses are runnin’ and their eyes are waterin’. They know it’ll pass eventually, and then they can finally breathe easy, at least until next December rolls around and it starts all over again. That’s just the way it is, I guess. Life in Central Texas, it ain’t always easy, but it’s home. And even with the cedar fever, I wouldn’t wanna live anywhere else.
Cedar fever tips:
- Stay indoors when pollen counts are high
- Keep windows closed and use air purifiers
- Wash your clothes and shower frequently
- Rinse your nose with saline solution
- Consider over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications
- Consult with a doctor if your symptoms are severe
Tags: Cedar Fever, Austin Allergies, Juniper Pollen, Allergy Season, Central Texas, Allergic Rhinitis, Sneezing, Runny Nose, Itchy Eyes