Why Houston allergies are so bad
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Have you felt like you've experienced the list of symptoms from an allergy pill commercial this week?
- Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose … You're probably not alone. Pollen counts have been high in Houston, largely due to ragweed season.
Why it matters: Climate change is making allergy seasons longer and more intense. This fall could be a prime example.
- September can be one of the toughest months for allergy sufferers in this part of Texas.
Zoom in: Pollen levels were high this week, according to Houston Health.
- Our top allergens right now are ragweed and elm, per Pollen.com.
State of play: Ragweed typically reaches its peak season in late September or early October in Houston.
Reality check: Living in Houston means living with allergies year-round.
- Grasses pollinate in the spring, trees and weeds during the summer and fall, and mountain cedar during the winter, according to Baylor College of Medicine.
- And if it's not pollen, it could be mold spores, which can trigger allergies year-round, especially after rainy days when conditions are warm and humid.
Pro tips: Newer antihistamines like Claritin, Allegra and Zyrtec offer relief without the drowsiness associated with older antihistamines like Benadryl. They can be combined with nasal steroid sprays like Flonase.
- Closing windows in the morning and showering before bed can reduce exposure.
What's next: We're bracing for Ashe juniper season, which usually hits Houston in December through February and causes cedar fever — flu-like symptoms such as itchiness, watery eyes and blocked nasal passages.
- The likelihood of a drier winter could impact cedar season. Federal forecasters estimate a 77% chance of La Niña developing, which drives up the "likelihood of returning to drier, warmer-than-normal conditions in late 2024."
- "In drier winters, we can see a worse cedar fever season since the pollen can remain in the air for longer durations, compared to wet winters," Alison Baylis, regional urban ecologist for Texas A&M Forest Service, told Axios.