Austin area residents are beginning to feel those unmistakable cold-like symptoms again, and it may be more than just the common cold.

During the months of December through February, Central Texas experiences a severe increase in the pollen count as cedar trees (juniperus ashei) across the region begin to pollinate.

This increase in pollination causes cedar fever; an allergy that leads many people to experience cold-like symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, body aches and fatigue – symptoms that prevent people from enjoying the holiday season.

Managing your cedar fever is as simple as visiting a local clinic, where a clinician can diagnose and provide appropriate treatments such as allergy medications and steroid injections, to relieve symptoms.

“When trying to minimize the effects of cedar fever, it is especially important to pay attention to daily pollen counts,” said Christina Gray, nurse practitioner at RediClinic. “The highest pollen counts – between 9.7 and 12 – occur on warm, sunny days and the lowest levels – between 0 and 2.4 – occur on cool, cloudy days.”

RediClinic also recommends taking the following steps to protect against pollen.

When indoors

• Close all windows and doors

• Turn the air conditioner or heater on when pollen levels are high

• Use a cheesecloth to cover air conditioning vents for filtration of the pollen

• Dust with a moist cloth

• Clean your home with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner each week

• Bathe pets frequently

When outdoors

• Close car windows

• Keep the air conditioner or heater on, in recirculation mode

• For extreme cases, cover your nose and mouth with a painter’s mask

• If outdoors for a long period of time, be sure to shower and change clothes when arriving home

Editor’s note: This article was provided courtesy of the RediClinics in Round Rock and Pflugerville. The Pflugerville location is at1434 Wells Branch Parkway.