Come winter, and the regions where the Ashe Juniper or the commonly known Mountain Cedar commonly grows becomes a huge risk for the people inhabiting these areas, mostly the pollen of the cedar can cause pollen allergic reactions. It is mostly identified as cedar fever, but in some cases have been termed as cedar allergy as well.
Producing tremendous amounts of pollen that are basically microscopic plants, these Juniper trees are known to grow around the Texas area of the United States.
These pollens when inhaled are attacked by the human body’s immune system identifying them as foreign particles and in turn, have been known to produce an allergic reaction in people prone to allergies of different kinds.
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Symptoms
The symptoms may vary from person to person but are mostly characterized by puffy, watery eyes and /or itchy eyes accompanied by incessant sneezing as well as a nasal blockage or runny nose, the worst part is that they go on for months at an end until the end of the season, usually around the end of the month of January.
This naturally results in prolonged fatigue not to mention the loss of hours and productivity as well as a lot of emotional distress.
Even though fever is not typically one of the symptoms, the inflammation caused due to the allergy has been known to trigger the temperature into rising thereby resulting in fever.
But like any other pollen allergy, there are ways to fight Cedar fever as well, through a variety of home rules that one might want to follow as well as over-the-counter drugs to combat the symptoms.
Close Up
In such cases, it is not possible to avoid this sort of an allergy when everywhere you go you are accosted by the pollen(1).
Which is why the most you can do is keep all the doors and windows closed at all times to make sure that you cut out all air from the outside. Also, do not forget to keep your car’s windows up whenever you are going out.
Installing Air Filters
Air filters have been known to be useful in cleaning the air by removing almost 95% of the particles from your home as well as cars.
Consider installing them to keep the pollens at bay. Also, do not forget to re-circulate the air inside your house once the air conditioning has worked its magic to ensure that the air you are breathing in is actually pollen-free.
Acupuncture
One of the age-old techniques in Chinese medicine. This tends to be one of the most effective ways to treat the symptoms of cedar fever. There are specific points in the body that can target the sinus passages and help in clearing the accumulation of phlegm and increase the immunity of the body.
Herbs
There are several herbal remedies that could help you boost your immunity and provide instant relief from your symptoms. There are several herbal tinctures that specifically target nasal congestion, and it should be taken in a single dose.
Case Up
Make sure to put all your linens as well as all kinds of pillows, cushions and mattresses in cases so that the pollen has no place to settle down upon.
Wash Up
Make sure to wash all your sheets and covers along with the blankets and comforters frequently to curb the settling of the pollens in them. Also remember to put them on a hot water cycle to get them squeaky clean and pollen-free.
Use the Dryer
Rather than airing your laundry, use the hot dryer to dry them at all times.
Keep It Clean
Once an allergy has been triggered, dust mites have also been known to fuel an allergy which is another reason why you need to keep every single surface dust free and clean at all times.
Make sure to vacuum the carpets as well as curtains and use a damp cloth to clean all the surfaces.
Shower
Every time you go out of the house, make sure come back and shower immediately and then throw the clothes in the washing machine to get rid of any pollen stuck to them. Also, make sure to wash your hair and change clothes frequently.
Pet Care
If after taking all these measures, you can still get pollen inside the house if you have been allowing your pet outside trips. Bathe them as often as possible and try to keep them indoors since pollen has the uncanny habit of settling onto a pet’s fur as well.
Masks
It is recommended that anyone suffering from cedar fever should use a mask whenever there is a need to go out-of-doors since they help prevent the pollens from getting inside your airways to a great extent.
Nasal Rinse
Using a nasal rinse would help wash away the pollens as well as clean the mucus from the nose therby helping with the stuffy nose problem.
Cedar fever is a condition that could affect anyone who has an allergy to pollen, and it tends to cause an irritant effect on the body. However, if you do have an allergic attack, it is recommended that you rush to the nearest hospital as it could be fatal. However, for prevention and to control your symptoms you could use the above mentioned natural and alternative remedies that tend to help the body without the side effects, that is seen in conventional medicine.
FAQs
1. How do you know if you’re allergic to cedar?
If you have symptoms of mountain cedar, such as the runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, nasal blockage and sneezing. Then it means that you are allergic to mountain cedar.
2. Is cedar dust toxic?
Exposure in excessive amounts tends to have an irritant effect on the body, specifically to eyes, nose, throat and to the pulmonary system of the body. This irritant is considered to be a human carcinogen.