Cedar pollen count soars

If you normally suffer from Cedar Fever, you might want to prepare for the worst. The count has skyrocketed over the last week, and some may be feeling the symptoms.

“Cedar fever is starting to show up now because pollen counts from juniper, which is what actually cedar is, are starting to rise. If you know the cedar counts are rising, I would get started on a steroid nasal spray five days ahead if you could. Add the anti-histamine to it if you need to,” said Greg Morper, M.D at Baylor Scott and White Clinic- Lakeway.

It's best to get a head start on treatment. However, even in the middle of the season, you can still fight symptoms with over the counter medications. They can come in the form of pills, drops, or sprays. Some may want to take a more holistic approach.

“Acupuncture helps boost the immune system. We work with the ‘chi’, the energy that runs through the body. Acupuncture can help with nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing. It breaks up mucus,” said Astra Gordon, acupuncturist with People’s Pharmacy.

Also Gordon says there are many herbal remedies, and drops specifically aimed to help with cedar fever. And eating right year round can save you some misery she says.

“If you're eating a lot of sugar, it creates inflammation in the body, which also creates the histamine response. Also dairy, cheese, that's very mucus producing,” said Gordon.

As the Cedar season continues to bloom, these steps might help. If they don't, it's best to see a doctor, who may recommend a course of immunotherapy.

“We have so much Cedar or Juniper around here, that the pollen counts are enormous,” said Morper.