Cedar Fever & Mountain Cedar Allergy: Causes, Symptoms, and How to Finally Get Relief
Every winter, Texans brace for one of the most intense allergy seasons of the year—Cedar Fever. If you live anywhere near Central or North Texas, you know the symptoms: itchy eyes, burning throat, profound fatigue, headaches, coughing, sinus pressure, and that frustrating “I feel sick, but I’m not actually sick” feeling.
While many people assume they’re coming down with a cold or flu, Cedar Fever is actually caused by Mountain Cedar (Ashe Juniper) pollen, which contains a potent allergen called Jun a 1. This pollen is released in enormous quantities from November through March, with a peak in late December through mid-February.
This guide explains what Cedar Fever is, what causes it, how to protect yourself naturally and medically, and when to consider immunotherapy for long-term relief.
What Exactly Is Cedar Fever?
Despite the name, Cedar Fever is not caused by an actual fever.
Instead, it is an intense allergic reaction to the pollen of the Ashe Juniper—commonly called Mountain Cedar.
During peak season, pollen counts can reach some of the highest levels in the country. These extremely fine, highly allergenic grains travel long distances and can trigger:
Severe nasal congestion
Persistent sneezing
Watery, itchy, burning, or scratchy eyes
Runny or stuffy nose
Scratchy or sore throat
Sinus pressure and facial pain
Headaches
Fatigue and brain fog
Ear pressure or popping
Coughing
Wheezing or shortness of breath in asthma
A “feverish” sensation (true fever is rare)
Because symptoms can be so intense, Cedar Fever is often mistaken for a viral infection, sinusitis, or the flu.
Why Cedar Season Is So Severe in Texas & Arkansas
Mountain Cedar grows heavily across:
Central and South Texas (the epicenter)
Hill Country
North Texas
Oklahoma
Arkansas
Missouri
New Mexico
Arizona
Northern Mexico
Weather plays a huge role in severity:
✔ Cedar pollen is released explosively after cold fronts
Dry, windy days cause massive spikes in pollen levels. During these bursts, trees can even appear to be “smoking” as clouds of pollen are released.
✔ Pollen travels for miles
Even people who live far from cedar trees experience the effects.
How to Protect Yourself During Cedar Season (Dr. Atoosa’s Daily Prevention Routine)
This clinically recommended sequence helps prevent symptoms before they start and reduces the severity of flares.
✔ Step 1: Nasal Rinse (Saline Irrigation)
This clears pollen from nasal passages, reduces inflammation, and helps medications work better.
Best practice:
· Buy premade store-bought saline mist canisters or spray bottles
· If you make your own saline for a rinse bottle, use sterile or distilled water and 1 tsp sea salt
· Rinse before going outside
· Rinse again after returning indoors
· Safe for adults, children, even infants in drops, and during pregnancy
✔ Step 2: Nasal Gel (Protective Barrier)
After irrigating, apply a thin layer of nasal moisturizing gel.
Why it works:
· Coats mucous membranes
· Makes it harder for pollen to stick
· Reduces irritation and swelling
· Prevents flare-ups before they begin
✔ Step 3: Allergy Nasal Spray
(Examples: steroid or antihistamine nasal sprays)
Dr. Atoosa’s guidance:
· Use AFTER rinse + gel
· Daily use is far superior to occasional use
· Think of this as “setting your allergy shield” before exposure
✔ Wear Sunglasses Outdoors
Cedar pollen triggers severe eye symptoms.
Sunglasses help protect against:
· Burning
· Watering
· Itching
Bonus help:
· Lubricating eye drops
· Eyelid hygiene routines (warm compresses, cool rinse, lash wipes)
Expanded Prevention Strategies (Highly Effective)
These additional steps strengthen your ability to avoid pollen exposure:
· Keep home & car windows closed
o Especially during windy or dry days.
· Use HEPA air purifiers
o Particularly in the bedroom and main living spaces.
· Change HVAC and cabin air filters regularly
o Use high-efficiency filters during cedar season.
· Wear a mask, hat, and sunglasses
o A hat keeps pollen off hair.
A KN95 can reduce inhalation on high-pollen days.
· Shower and change clothes after being outside
o Prevents pollen from spreading onto furniture and bedding.
· Bathe pets more frequently
o Pollen clings to fur.
· Check pollen forecast apps daily
o Avoid outdoor workouts on high-pollen days.
Natural & Integrative Support Options (Dr. Atoosa’s Approach)
While these are not a replacement for medical care, many patients find the following supports helpful:
1. Supplements
· Quercetin: Natural mast cell stabilizer
· Vitamin C: Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant
· Omega-3 fatty acids: Reduce systemic inflammation
· Vitamin D: Supports immune balance (especially low in winter)
2. Humidification
Using a humidifier reduces throat irritation and coughing.
3. HEPA filtration
Removes airborne allergens indoors.
4. Showering after exposure
Rinses pollen off skin & hair.
5. Avoid high-pollen days (check pollen counts online)
Warm, windy, or post-cold-front days are the worst.
Why There Are No Cedar Allergy Tablets (SLIT)
Many patients ask why there isn’t a sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet for Cedar Fever, similar to grass or ragweed tablets. Here’s why:
Mountain Cedar is a regional allergen, not nationwide
SLIT tablets require multimillion-dollar clinical trials
Pharmaceutical companies focus on allergens with national demand
Current FDA-approved tablets only include trees, grass, ragweed, and dust mites
When to Consider Immunotherapy (Shots or Drops)
Immunotherapy is when special serum is made for you based on your allergens and administered through shots or under the tongue drops, and it is the only treatment that retrains the immune system to become less reactive to cedar pollen. Everything else is symptom control.
Immunotherapy is a great option if:
· Your symptoms are severe
· Medications aren’t enough to control symptoms
· You want to be outdoors again without worrying about exposure
· You react to multiple allergens
· Your symptoms worsen year after year
Why You Should Start Immunotherapy in January or February
To reduce symptoms next season, your immune system needs time to build tolerance.
Typical progress:
Year 1
· Noticeable reduction in symptoms
· Shorter flares
· Fewer sinus infections
Year 2
· Major improvement
· Many patients reduce or stop medications
Year 3
· Strong immune memory
· Results often last for many years after completion
The earlier you start, the better you’ll feel next winter.
How Cedar Fever Is Diagnosed
Diagnosis can be made by:
Allergy skin testing
Blood testing for Mountain Cedar (Jun a 1)
Clinical pattern (winter symptoms, worse outdoors)
This helps distinguish Cedar Fever from colds, influenza, or sinus infections.
CEDAR FEVER FAQ
1. What is Cedar Fever?
An allergic reaction to Mountain Cedar (Ashe Juniper) pollen—especially the allergen Jun a 1—that peaks December through February but may begin in November and last through March.
2. Does Cedar Fever cause an actual fever?
True fever is uncommon. The “feverish” feeling comes from inflammation.
3. How can I reduce Cedar Fever symptoms naturally?
Saline rinses, quercetin, Vitamin C, Omega-3s, Vitamin D, HEPA filters, showering after outdoor exposure, wearing sunglasses, and following a daily prevention routine.
4. What is the best daily routine to prevent symptoms?
· Nasal saline rinse
· Nasal gel
· Allergy nasal spray
· Sunglasses outdoors
5. Why don’t Cedar Fever tablets exist?
Cedar pollen is regional, making FDA trials less feasible. No approved SLIT tablet exists.
6. Do allergy shots or drops work for Cedar Fever?
Yes. Immunotherapy retrains the immune system and provides long-term relief.
7. When should I start immunotherapy?
January–February offers the best head start for next season.
8. Is Cedar Fever worse indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors is worse, but indoor pollen exposure happens via clothing, pets, and airflow.
9. How can I tell if it’s a cold or Cedar Fever?
Cedar Fever symptoms include itchy eyes, clear drainage, sneezing, outdoor triggers, and a winter pattern. Colds often include fever, body aches, or green mucus.