Many call Central Texas the “Allergy Capital of the World,” and Austin has ranked as one of the worst cities for allergy sufferers. Not all allergies are the same. While you may suffer from a cedar allergy, your neighbor might deal with grass and your dog with ragweed. Despite so many of us suffering from allergies, there’s a lot we may not understand about the common central Texas allergies. Here’s a look at some of the top allergies in Central Texas, how they’re treated, and what makes them special.

What are allergies?

According to KXAN, “Basically, an allergic reaction is what happens when something that shouldn’t affect you, does. When an environmental allergen enters your body, your body freaks out and goes into overdrive. Your immune system, in an effort to protect your body from the invader, actually starts to do you harm and causes symptoms.”

There are several types of allergies, but one of the most common are environmental allergies. These are when something like pollen or mold spores are breathed in and cause a reaction.

Common Central Texas Allergies

Here’s a look at some of the top allergies in Central Texas

Oak Pollen
You can expect an increase in oak pollen in Texas soon. Oak pollen comes from oak trees and affects allergy sufferers all over the country. However, Texas tends to get a bad oak pollen season in the early spring months. Oak pollen is sticky, meaning it can easily get stuck to everything, including your HVAC filter.

Ragweed
You can expect ragweed to show up in Texas during the fall months. Because the temperatures in Texas very rarely drop below freezing, the ragweed plants are free to grow. Over one billion grains of pollen can fly from these plants each fall into the Texas air. It is common for these pollen grains to make it inside your home through clothing, shoes, and your HVAC unit.

Cottonwood
Cottonwood shows up later in the spring season but can cause just as much havoc as oak pollen does. Additionally, cottonwood tends to be thicker than other air allergens and can clog up your home’s air vents. If you have an allergy to cottonwood, this can make the air in your home unbearable. Even if you are not allergic to cottonwood, the fact that it blocks the fresh air from entering your home can exacerbate other allergy symptoms.

Mountain Cedar
In other parts of the country, when allergens are disappearing for the winter months, the mountain cedar picks up in Texas. Mountain cedar is most rampant as the temperatures drop, meaning you are more affected during the Texas winter. Most Texans are very familiar with the Texas Cedar, which can mimic cold and flu symptoms. The mountain cedar pollen can travel hundreds of miles. If the pollens make it into your HVAC filters, you will likely feel miserable with a runny nose, inflammation, and severe congestion.

How Can Chiropractors Help with Central Texas Allergies?

Did you know that you can depend on chiropractic help with your allergies? Indeed there is a direct relationship between stress on the immune system and increased allergic reactions. When your immune system is compromised or not working to its full potential, it’s not in the best position to fight allergens or any other imposed stresses.

Chiropractic care can strengthen your immune system by correcting misalignments in the spine, especially the neck, allowing the spinal nerves and brain to communicate more efficiently. That means the body has a better chance against allergens. Chiropractic adjustments can also benefit the respiratory system. By releasing pressure on the nerves that innervate the lungs, chiropractic care can improve breathing quality.