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If you live in the San Antonio area and feel like your allergies never really take a break, you’re not imagining things. For many allergy sufferers, the line between seasonal allergies and year-round allergies is blurry—especially in South Texas, where prolonged heat, recurring drought conditions, and region-specific pollens shape the allergy landscape.

High pollen levels, extended growing seasons, and overlapping allergy seasons can trigger allergic reactions in many South Texas residents, including those who never experienced allergies elsewhere.

Understanding the difference between seasonal allergies and perennial (year-round) allergies is the first step toward lasting relief—and better allergy management.

Why Allergies Feel Constant in South Texas

Unlike regions with a true off-season, allergy season in South Texas often feels extended. While symptoms may peak at different times of the year, prolonged heat, recurring drought conditions, and extended growing seasons allow allergens to remain active for much longer than expected. As a result, exposure to pollen rarely stops completely.

• When outdoor allergens overlap with indoor triggers that thrive year-round, allergy symptoms can persist no matter the month. Fluctuations between dry spells and brief periods of moisture can further intensify pollen release and mold growth, contributing to ongoing allergic reactions.
• Common factors that make South Texas a hotspot for allergies include:
• Extended pollen seasons driven by heat and drought cycles
• High pollen levels from region-specific trees, grasses, and weeds
• Wind that spreads pollen across wide areas
• Homes sealed tightly against heat, allowing indoor allergens to build up

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies occur when your immune system reacts to outdoor allergens that appear at specific times of the year. In South Texas, allergy season isn’t short—it simply changes forms.

Common Seasonal Allergens in South Texas

• Cedar pollen (winter)
  • Produced by cedar trees, especially mountain cedar (also known as Ashe juniper)
  • Cedar pollen season in South Texas begins in late December and lasts through February, typically peaking in mid-January
  • Responsible for cedar fever, a major allergen in the region
• Tree pollens (late winter–spring)
  • Spring in South Texas brings tree pollen from February to May
  • Oak trees are prevalent in South Texas, and oak pollen peaks in late March to early April, making it a major trigger for spring allergies in the region
  • Ash trees
  • Pecan trees
• Grass pollen (spring and summer months)
  • Grass pollen in South Texas is common from April through September
  • Common grasses such as Bahia grass produce significant amounts of pollen, especially during the late spring and summer months
  • Bermuda grass
  • Timothy grasses
• Weed pollen (late summer–fall)
  • Ragweed pollen from ragweed plants is common in South Texas, typically starting in August and lasting until November or the first frost, and is a powerful trigger

These allergens often cause higher pollen counts, especially during peak season and early morning hours, when daily pollen counts are at their highest.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Seasonal allergies commonly cause:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Stuffy nose and nasal congestion
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Watery eyes and itchy eyes
• Fatigue and headaches
• Skin reactions in some individuals

Symptoms often worsen during outdoor activities, high pollen levels, or peak pollen times.

What Are Year-Round (Perennial) Allergies?

Year-round allergies are caused by specific allergens that are present regardless of the season—mostly indoors.

Most Common Year-Round Allergens in Texas

• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mold spores
• Indoor mold growth
• Cockroach allergens

These common allergens in Texas can trigger allergic reactions every day of the year, often without obvious exposure.

Symptoms of Year-Round Allergies

Because exposure never stops, symptoms tend to be persistent:

• Chronic nasal congestion
• Ongoing runny nose
• Postnasal drip
• Frequent sinus infections
• Asthma symptoms, including coughing or wheezing
• Poor sleep and fatigue

If allergy symptoms don’t improve when pollen levels drop, year-round allergens may be the cause.

Cedar Fever: South Texas’s Unique Allergy Season

Cedar fever is a hallmark of allergy season in South Texas, and it’s unlike any other allergy experience in the country. This intense period is triggered by the mountain cedar tree, also known as Ashe juniper, which releases enormous amounts of cedar pollen into the air each winter. For allergy sufferers, cedar fever typically strikes from December through February, with pollen levels peaking in mid-January—right when most people expect relief from allergies.

What makes cedar fever so challenging is the sheer volume of pollen produced by these trees. Even a mild winter or humid climate can’t slow down the mountain cedar’s pollen release, making it a major allergen for susceptible individuals. The allergy symptoms can be severe, including sneezing, persistent runny nose, nasal congestion, and itchy or watery eyes. Many people also experience fatigue and headaches, making daily life uncomfortable during this unique allergy season.

Because cedar pollen can trigger allergic reactions even in people who don’t usually have allergies, it’s important for South Texans to recognize the signs of cedar fever and take steps to manage their symptoms. Staying informed about pollen levels and understanding the impact of Ashe juniper can help allergy sufferers navigate this challenging time of year.

Seasonal vs. Year-Round Allergies: What’s the Difference?

Seasonal Allergies	Year-Round Allergies
Triggered by outdoor allergens	Triggered by indoor allergens
Follow pollen cycles	Persistent exposure
Linked to allergy season	Symptoms occur year-round
Often weather-dependent	Often home-related

Many people during allergy season in South Texas experience both, which explains why symptoms can feel constant.

Why Many South Texans Have Both

In South Texas, allergens overlap:

• Cedar season blends into tree pollen season
• Grass pollen continues into late summer
• Weed pollen peaks before mold levels rise

Meanwhile, staying indoors during heat waves or winter months increases exposure to dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores. For susceptible individuals, the immune system rarely gets a break.

Climate Change and Allergies in South Texas

Climate change is reshaping the landscape of allergies in South Texas, making allergy season longer and more intense than ever before. Warmer temperatures and shifting weather patterns are causing trees and plants—like mountain cedar, ragweed, and oak—to release pollen earlier in the year and for extended periods. This means allergy sufferers are facing an extended allergy season, with higher pollen counts and more frequent allergic reactions.

The increased amounts of pollen in the air, especially cedar pollen, ragweed pollen, and oak pollen, are now some of the most common allergens affecting South Texans. As a result, daily pollen counts are often elevated, and the timing of peak pollen release can be unpredictable. This makes it harder for individuals to anticipate when their allergy symptoms might flare up, and why it’s so important to monitor local pollen forecasts.

With climate change driving these changes, allergy sufferers in South Texas need to be proactive about managing their symptoms. Staying aware of the most common allergens and understanding how environmental shifts can trigger allergic reactions is key to staying ahead of the extended allergy season.

Managing Seasonal and Year-Round Allergies

Daily Allergy Management Tips

• Monitor pollen count and daily pollen counts
• Limit outdoor activities during peak pollen times
• Shower and change clothes after being outside
• Wash bedding weekly in hot water
• Use air purifiers with HEPA filters
• Use HEPA filters in HVAC systems to remove pollen and allergens
• Keep windows closed during high pollen days
• Wipe surfaces to remove pollen

Medications and Long-Term Care

• Allergy medications may help manage symptoms
• Allergy shots (immunotherapy) can reduce sensitivity over time
• A personalized allergy management plan is key for long-term relief

Prevention Strategies for Allergy Sufferers

Managing Texas allergies starts with prevention, especially during peak allergy season in South Texas. Allergy sufferers can take several steps to reduce their exposure to common allergens like mountain cedar, ragweed, and oak trees. Limiting outdoor activities during peak pollen times—typically in the early morning hours—can help minimize contact with airborne pollen. If you do need to be outside, wearing a mask and changing clothes as soon as you return indoors can help remove pollen from your skin and hair.

Inside the home, using air purifiers with HEPA filters is an effective way to reduce allergens in the air, while washing bedding regularly in hot water can help control dust mites. Showering after spending time outdoors and using nasal saline rinses can also help remove pollen from your nasal passages, reducing allergy symptoms. Keeping an eye on local pollen levels and forecasts allows you to plan your outdoor activities when pollen counts are lower.

For those with persistent symptoms, regular allergy testing can identify specific allergens that trigger your reactions, allowing for a more targeted allergy management plan. Consulting with an allergist can help you develop personalized strategies to manage Texas allergies and improve your quality of life, even during the most challenging times of the year.

Why Allergy Testing Matters

Without allergy testing, it’s difficult to know which specific allergens are causing symptoms. Testing helps:

• Identify the most common allergens affecting you
• Clarify whether symptoms are seasonal, year-round, or both
• Guide treatment decisions, including allergy shots
• Improve asthma and sinus outcomes

When to See an Allergy Specialist

You should consider professional care if:

• Symptoms last beyond a few weeks
• You experience frequent sinus infections
• OTC medications stop working
• Allergies interfere with sleep, work, or daily life
• You have asthma or worsening asthma symptoms

Relief Is Possible in South Texas

Living with San Antonio’s allergies doesn’t mean accepting constant discomfort. With expert care, targeted testing, and personalized treatment, it’s possible to manage Texas allergies effectively—even during an extended allergy season.

At Stone Oak Allergy, we specialize in helping patients understand their triggers, reduce allergic reactions, and breathe easier year-round.

Take the Next Step

If allergy symptoms are lingering or worsening, schedule an evaluation. Understanding what’s causing your symptoms is the first step toward lasting relief.