Many people with mountain cedar allergy symptoms may not know the source of their health problems. Mountain cedar, or Ashe juniper, is an allergenic tree native to Texas, New Mexico and neighboring areas. Because cedar pollen is so light, strong air currents can transport it hundreds of miles. An adverse reaction to this tree pollen results in seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever. Many people suffer severe respiratory trouble from “cedar fever” in December, January and February, when the mountain cedar reproduces.
Watery Eyes
In an allergic rhinitis reaction to tree pollen, the body circulates inflammatory histamines that cause fluid to gather in the mucous membranes. The University of Maryland Medical Center, or UMMC, notes that this causes people’s eyes to water and redden. In the case of mountain cedar, the huge bursts of pollen that suddenly fill the air may irritate allergy patients’ eyes externally as well.
Itching
Histamines and pollen particulate also cause the itching allergy symptoms that hay fever sufferers experience. According to the Mayo Clinic, patients may itch in the eye, nose, mouth or throat areas as allergic rhinitis develops.
Runny Nose
A runny nose and sneezing are histamine’s most well-known health effects. Fluid build-up in the nasal lining obstructs breathing, and invades the throat and sinuses as postnasal drip. Sneezing may occur periodically, sometimes with great force, in an effort to dislodge the thickened nasal discharge and cedar pollen it contains. The Cleveland Clinic identifies histamine chemicals as the triggers for these allergy symptoms.
Stuffy Nose
The inflammatory response causes the sinuses and nasal passages to constrict, trapping the mucus from time to time and causing congestion. Sneezing and coughing may also accompany this sign of allergic rhinitis, in an attempt to clear the air passages, as the Cleveland Clinic reports.
Sore Throat
The dry, windy air that allows mountain cedar pollen to travel great distances can also irritate the respiratory tracts of hay fever patients. The UMMC records allergy symptoms of itching, postnasal drip and coughing among those caused by cedar allergy that contribute to a sore throat.
Swelling and Pain
Mountain cedar pollen often sets off severe cases of hay fever, especially in Central Texas, where seasonal pollen counts are extremely high. When symptoms persist, sensitive patients experience additional discomfort. The Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Clinic of Georgetown, Texas, includes swollen eyelids and sinuses, headaches and facial pain as signs of cedar fever. The combination of debilitating symptoms can lead to insomnia and fatigue in some patients.
