At a Glance
- Cedar fever peaks in winter, causing sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes and a feverish feeling.
- Home remedies include avoiding pollen, wearing long sleeves, and using a nasal rinse.
- Early use of nasal steroid sprays can reduce congestion before symptoms worsen.
Cedar fever, an allergic reaction to mountain cedar pollen, can mimic a severe cold or flu. Experts advise simple home measures and early medication to keep symptoms at bay.
What Is Cedar Fever?
Cedar fever is triggered when pollen from juniper trees spreads into the air. The pollen can cause intense respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, sore throat, and sometimes a mild fever.
Dr. Loren Lee stated:
> Trees will start exploding with pollen soon and that pollen can wreak havoc on people. They get all of the respiratory symptoms: sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. Cedar fever takes it to a new level because it can create worse symptoms for some, where they feel miserable. They feel like they have a fever, and they may even be a bit warm to the touch. You can have sore throats and sometimes have cross-over symptoms to a cold or the flu.
Managing Symptoms at Home
Avoiding pollen and staying in low-pollen times of day can help reduce exposure. Simple measures can keep the discomfort under control.
- Avoid pollen as much as possible.
- Outdoor activities are best in the morning when counts are lower.
- Wear long sleeves, hats, and masks during peak afternoon pollen.
- Use a nasal pot with distilled water to rinse sinuses.
- Keep home filters, vacuum, and change linens to remove pollen.
| Time of Day | Pollen Count | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|
| Morning | Lower | Exercise, avoid pollen |
| Afternoon | Higher | Wear long sleeves, mask |
When to Use Medication
If congestion becomes severe, starting a nasal steroid spray early can calm the immune response.
Dr. Loren Lee stated:
> If you get bad congestion you should start your nasal steroid (nasal sprays). You got to start them [steroids] early, about a week before you need them because it takes to affect your immune system to calm things down.
Key Takeaways
- Cedar fever peaks in winter and can feel like a fever.
- Home measures such as avoiding pollen and wearing protective clothing help.
- Early nasal steroid use can reduce congestion before it worsens.
Stay prepared this season by following these simple steps to keep cedar fever from disrupting your life.
