Shared on the Fox 7 Austin Facebook page, a video from the Texas Hill Country is capturing the attention of those who suffer from an allergy known as “cedar fever.” Entitled “Cedar ‘spreading its joy,’” the post has garnered more than 855,000 views in only one week. Filmed in Austin by Markus Hogue, it shows a scene from his Lake Travis deck that resembles smoke, but instead it turned out to be pollen.
“I first thought it was a fire starting until I noticed other cedar trees releasing their pollen,” Hogue explained to Fox 7. Here in Texas, cedar season is known to begin in early December and continue on through to mid-February. The first two weeks of January are generally considered to be the peak of the cedar season, and those with allergies tend to experience severe symptoms.
Video: Facebook/Fox 7 Austin
Austin’s high humidity and mild climate have a tendency to cause high levels of both molds and pollens through the majority of a year. In particular, cedar pollen can be severe from December to February. According to the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin, their pollen counts in the Hill Country have been noted as the highest of any plant anywhere globally. On those days when the pollen counts are very high, many of those who suffer from cedar allergies are unable to even go outdoors without suffering from a high intensity in their symptoms. Some people actually have to miss school or work as a result, despite taking medication. Sometimes their symptoms are unable to be controlled. To avoid this season getting the best of you as an allergy sufferer, it’s recommended that you stay indoors to the best of your ability on windy days and ensure that you wash pollen particles off your body. Likewise, make an appointment to see an allergist, get the proper testing done, and learn exactly what your allergies entail in order to develop a proper game plan.
