Cedar Fever

Despite its name, cedar fever is not actually a fever — it's an intense allergic reaction to pollen from the Ashe juniper tree (commonly called mountain cedar). Every year from December through February, these trees release massive clouds of pollen across Central Texas, and Austin regularly ranks as the number one cedar fever city in the country.

Symptoms of Cedar Fever

Cedar fever can hit hard and fast. Common symptoms include:

• Severe nasal congestion and runny nose
• Persistent sneezing
• Itchy, watery, or red eyes
• Sore throat and postnasal drip
• Fatigue and general malaise
• Headache and facial pressure

Because the symptoms overlap with colds and the flu, many people don't realize allergies are the cause — especially if they've recently moved to the Austin area.

Why Austin Is Hit So Hard

Mountain cedar trees are native to the Texas Hill Country and produce extraordinarily high pollen counts during winter months. On peak days, pollen levels can exceed 20,000 grains per cubic meter of air. Roughly 75% of Austinites experience some degree of cedar fever symptoms during the season.

Treatment Options

If over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays aren't providing enough relief, our ENT specialists can help with a more targeted approach:

• Allergy testing to confirm cedar and identify other triggers
• Prescription nasal sprays and medications tailored to your symptoms
• Immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual drops) — the most effective long-term treatment for addressing the root cause of your allergies rather than just managing symptoms

Immunotherapy works by gradually training your immune system to tolerate cedar pollen, and it has proven to be highly effective for long-term relief.

If you suffer from cedar fever and find that traditional ways of getting relief don't work for you, Capital ENT and Sinus Center can help. We have over 25 years of experience treating Austin allergies, and with a quick appointment we can help make a gameplan to get you feeling better. Don't wait — get relief today.