Hay fever sufferers who display allergy symptoms in the winter or early spring may be sensitive to mold spores or cedar pollen. The physical results are the same; both allergens cause allergic rhinitis in some people. Patients can encounter black mold spores indoors and leaf mold spores outdoors. Cedar allergy problems can arise from exposure to the pollen of the regional Western redcedar, Eastern redcedar or mountain cedar of the South Central United States, along with non-native species such as the Atlas and Japanese cedars.
Itching
Cedar or mold allergy symptoms may begin with itching, one of the first effects of rising histamine levels in the bloodstream. The Mayo Clinic notes that hay fever itching may affect the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, mouth and throat.
Eye Symptoms
Histamines released in reaction to hay fever allergens also cause liquid to enter the mucous membranes. This may be exacerbated by patients rubbing itchy eyes, to produce eye tearing and redness and swollen eyelids. The Cleveland Clinic reports that dark circles form under the eyes due to local sinus inflammation, a related symptom caused by histamine release.
Throat Irritation
Related allergy symptoms also cause throat irritation, according to the University of Maryland (UM) Medical Center. The fluid accumulation associated with allergic rhinitis can create a postnasal drip, which drains mucus down the throat. This irritation, combined with itching symptoms, can lead to a sore throat and coughing.
Respiratory Symptoms
The respiratory symptoms that arise after inhalation of mold spores or cedar pollen can incapacitate some hay fever patients, according to the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin, Texas. The Austin area experiences some of the world’s highest pollen counts during “cedar fever” season, the time when the prolific mountain cedar, or Ashe juniper, is pollinating. Nasal allergic rhinitis symptoms, in combination, can obstruct breathing and lead to asthma difficulties.
The UM Medical Center reports that a runny nose can alternate with congestion and be punctuated by bouts of sneezing. Histamines cause runny-nose symptoms, while inflamed sinuses that fill with mucus cause stuffy noses. Histamines also set off the sneeze reflex, to clear mold and pollen allergens from the airways.
Pain and Fatigue
Pain is another aspect of allergic rhinitis that develops from the action of related symptoms. The sometimes violent respiratory problems that accompany mold hay fever or cedar fever generate pressure-related allergy symptoms. The Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Clinic of Georgetown, Texas, notes that some patients report facial pain and headaches, as well as fatigue.
