Seasonal and year-round allergies in North Texas

Common signs and symptoms

• Sneezing fits, often worst in the morning
• Runny or stuffy nose that lasts for weeks
• Itchy, watery or red eyes
• Itchy nose, throat or roof of the mouth
• Postnasal drip and frequent throat clearing
• Dark circles or puffiness under the eyes
• Tiredness and poor sleep during your worst season
• Dulled sense of smell

What happens in an allergic reaction

When you have allergies, your immune system mistakes a harmless particle for a threat and makes IgE antibodies against it. The next time you breathe it in, those antibodies signal cells in your nose and eyes to release histamine. The result is the sneezing, dripping and itching you know too well.

Doctors call nose allergies allergic rhinitis and eye allergies allergic conjunctivitis. Some people react during only one season. Others have symptoms all year from dust mites, mold or pets, with pollen flares stacked on top.

Common triggers

• Mountain cedar pollen, December through February
• Elm, oak, ash and pecan pollen, February through May
• Bermuda and Johnson grass, April through September
• Ragweed and other weeds, August through November
• Outdoor and indoor mold, especially after rain
• Dust mites in bedding, carpet and upholstery
• Cat and dog dander
• Gusty spring and fall winds that stir up pollen

Why allergy seasons overlap here

Allergy season in Dallas–Fort Worth barely takes a break. Mountain cedar pollen fills the air from December through February, and the reaction can be so strong that people call it “cedar fever,” even though it rarely brings a true fever. Elm, oak, ash and pecan trees take over from late winter through May.

Bermuda and Johnson grass pollinate from April through September, and ragweed and other weeds run from August into November. Mold spikes after heavy rain, while strong spring and fall winds push pollen across the region. Indoors, dust mites and pet dander stay active every month of the year.

Because seasons overlap, many people react to several allergens at once. That’s one reason store-bought medicine may help in March but fall short in October.

Finding your exact triggers

Your first visit starts with a conversation about when, where and how your symptoms flare. If testing makes sense, most patients have a skin prick test. Tiny amounts of local pollens, molds and indoor allergens are placed on the skin of your back or forearm, and results appear in about 15 to 20 minutes.

If skin testing is negative but your history strongly suggests allergies, we may add intradermal testing, which places a small amount just under the skin. Blood (IgE) testing is a good alternative when you can’t stop antihistamines, have a widespread rash or would rather skip skin testing.

Results only make sense alongside your story. A positive test shows sensitization, so we connect each result to your real-life symptoms before recommending any changes.

If testing happens on the same day, plan for about an hour and a half. Wear a short-sleeved shirt and bring a list of your medicines, since a few prescriptions besides antihistamines can affect skin test results.

Treatment that goes beyond symptom relief

Many patients feel much better with the right medicine used the right way. Depending on your symptoms, your plan may include:

• A nasal steroid or antihistamine spray, with a quick lesson on technique
• A non-drowsy oral antihistamine
• Allergy eye drops for itching and redness
• Simple changes at home, such as dust-mite covers and closed windows on high-pollen days

If medicine isn’t enough, or you’d rather not take it every day, immunotherapy teaches your immune system to tolerate specific allergens. Allergy shots are given in our offices, and a cluster schedule can shorten the build-up phase. Sublingual drops are placed under the tongue at home after a first supervised dose. For many patients, either approach can reduce symptoms and medication use over several years.

We’ll explain the time commitment, costs and safety steps, including a 30-minute wait in the office after each shot, so you can choose with confidence.

Allergies and the rest of your health

Untreated nasal allergies can make asthma harder to control, add to sinus problems and disrupt sleep. For kids, a constantly stuffed nose can mean mouth breathing, snoring and trouble focusing in class.

Our team also cares for chronic hives, which come and go for more than six weeks. When daily antihistamines aren’t enough, a biologic such as omalizumab may be an option for some patients.

If you also itch after eating raw fruit, wheeze in the spring or break out in rashes, mention it at your visit. Those clues show how your allergies connect and whether one plan can cover more than one problem.

When to see an allergist

• Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or return every season
• Over-the-counter medicines don’t help or make you drowsy
• Allergies keep you or your child from sleeping, working or learning
• You get frequent sinus infections, ear infections or asthma flares
• You want to know your triggers before getting a pet
• You’re curious whether allergy shots or drops could help