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By Robin Blackburn The Herald-Zeitung It’s a nemesis with many names, but when it strikes, it’s unmistakable. The pollen of the Ashe juniper tree – also known as cedar, mountain cedar, post cedar or juniper – is beginning its annual assault on Texans’ respiratory and immune systems.
This year’s cedar season —
which typically begins in December and ends in February– is forecast to be pretty severe, said Comal County Texas Agrilife Extension Agent Troy Luepke.
“There are very good chances we’re going to have a very bad cedar season this year just due to the weather we’ve had,” Luepke said.Temperatures and moisture have both been above normal, Luepke explained, and that means the Ashe juniper trees will be producing more pollen than average.
“If you think of it, it’s a kind of dust,” Dr. Jay L. Gruhlkey of Lonestar Medical said.
“When there’s enough of it, it can irritate even those who aren’t allergic. It’s tough on patients. It keeps us busy this time of year.”
Gruhlkey said that in 2014, Ashe juniper pollen counts were in the 20,000s, and when the pollen is that thick it’s hard to not feel the effects. It doesn’t help that the pollen is around for just a short period, he said. “Our immune system only sees cedar two months out of the year,”
Gruhlkey said, “so there’s not really a chance to develop a positive response.” Gruhlkey said that even though complete avoidance of Ashe juniper pollen is difficult, there are steps to take to limit exposure and thus lessen allergy symptoms and irritation.
“It’s hard to live in a bubble during cedar season,” he said. “But the cornerstone of allergy issues is avoidance, asmuch as you can.”
Gruhlkey recommended using good air filters, washing your skin and clothing after being outdoors, using filter masks when outdoors, and starting antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medicines early in the season.
“Starting medicines early is important,” he said. Gruhlkey also said nasal rinses can help wash pollen out of sinuses and can help with other seasonal sinus complaints.
“This time of year, we turn on the heaters, and the relative humidity goes down, and that can dry out your sinuses,” he said. “Nasal rinses can help keep the sinuses hydrated.”
For people who aren’t allergic but get irritated by the high volumes of pollen, Gruhlkey said, antihistamines wouldn’t be effective, but taking the same measures to lessen exposure to the pollen would help.
“Just like you would if you were working around dust – nasal rinses, masks and avoidance,” he said.
If left untreated, allergies and irritation can create more serious health problems, Gruhlkey said.
“Allergies create an inflammatory response that, if it stays around long enough, can evolve into a sinus infection,” he said.
That inflammation can also occur in the lungs, aggravating other breathing problems.
“Asthmatics especially want to keep their allergies in check,” he said.
If over-the-counter treatments and other preventive measures aren’t helping, Gruhlkey said, talk to your physician and see about getting tested for allergies and exploring other options.
Texans will need to learn to live alongside Ashe juniper trees for the long term; Luepke said the tree is here to stay, despite some eradication efforts.
“People are trying to reduce the number of trees on their property,” he said, “but we will never eliminate the Ashe juniper because of howprolific it is.”