Welcome to our March research update! Getting involved with research is an important way to impact asthma and allergy treatments, education, and awareness.

This month, we are highlighting clinical trials, surveys, and news on:

• Black teens with asthma
• Eosinophilic asthma
• Nasal polyps clinical trial and survey
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Dust mite allergy treatment
• Chronic hives
• Eczema
  
  

Note: The links below will take you to external websites.

Surveys

Nasal Polyps Research Opportunity

Exafield US, specialists in recruiting patients for scientific studies, are currently looking for people with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

The purpose of this study is to understand patient experiences of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and how it affects their everyday lives on a day-to-day basis. The study does not involve treatments; we are only interested in opinions.

Participants would participate in a 30-minute survey (no phones or tablets) and will be paid for their time. Confirmation of diagnosis will be required to confirm eligibility.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and are interested in participating or would like more information about the study, please contact Britney at: [email protected].

Sponsored by Exafield

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Congress is considering making big changes and cuts to the Medicaid program. These changes could make it harder for people to access insurance coverage and health care services.

Nearly half of all children with asthma in the U.S. are covered by Medicaid or the related Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Medicaid is also essential for many low-income adults, and adults with disabilities including asthma. For low-income adults and children with allergies to food or other allergens, Medicaid helps them get the care and treatments they need.

Because of Medicaid’s crucial role for people living with asthma and allergies, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) strongly supports the Medicaid program and opposes changes such as:

• Block grants
• Spending caps
• Work reporting requirements
  
  

These and other measures would reduce or limit care and coverage for millions of people. In addition to harming the health of individuals, it would also strain the entire health care ecosystem.

What Is Medicaid and Why Is It Important?

Medicaid is a federal-state insurance program that provides health insurance coverage and long-term services. It supports about 80 million people in the United States.¹ Medicaid covers nearly 4 in 10 children and 1 in 5 people overall, including:

• 7.2 million seniors, among them 756,000 nursing home residents²
• 36.8 million children³
• 14 million rural Americans⁴
• 9.9 million adults with disabilities⁵
  
  

The federal government sets minimum eligibility standards. But states may expand coverage beyond these minimum requirements. For example, in many states, low-income adults qualify for Medicaid coverage whether or not they have children.

Medicaid is a very effective program. It has helped reduce the number of uninsured people in the U.S. from 45 million to 29 million.⁶ Medicaid is also effective in improving access to care, in supporting financial stability among low-income families, and in improving health outcomes.⁷

Each state runs its own Medicaid program. They have broad guidelines set at the federal level. Most states have Medicaid managed care programs. They contract with health insurance companies to provide care for enrollees. CHIP covers additional low-income children.

What Benefits Does Medicaid cover?

Medicaid covers a broad range of services. All states must cover certain required services, including:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital services
• Rural health clinic and federally qualified health center visits
• Early and periodic screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for children
  
  

All states have also opted to cover prescription drugs. Other key Medicaid services covered in many states include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech, hearing, and language disorder services.

Why Is Medicaid Important for People with Asthma and Allergies?

Almost 28 million Americans – nearly 1 in 12 – have asthma. Medicaid is a very important source of care for our community.

• Nearly half (47%) of U.S. children with asthma are enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP.
• Adults enrolled in Medicaid are 2 times as likely to have asthma as adults with private insurance.⁸
  
  

People with food or other allergies who live at low-income levels face barriers to appropriate care and medicine.⁹ Medicaid is a vital bridge across these gaps.

Why Does the Congressional Budget Resolution Threaten Medicaid Coverage?

The House of Representatives passed a budget resolution directing the Energy & Commerce (E&C) Committee to cut at least $880 billion from programs it oversees, which includes Medicaid. This means lawmakers are proposing major funding cuts that could force states to cut Medicaid benefits, limit who qualifies, or reduce payments to health care providers.

These cuts could seriously impact people with asthma and allergies who rely on Medicaid to pay for doctor visits, medicines, and emergency care. If Congress moves forward with these changes, millions of people may become uninsured. This puts people’s health at risk as well as the stability of health care services. The cost of providing care to uninsured people will pass on to all patients. Hospitals and clinics in rural areas may close, making it harder for all people to access care.

How Can I Help Protect Medicaid?

If you or someone you know relies on Medicaid for asthma or allergy care, we want to hear your story. Please share your experiences with us! We are working to meet with members of Congress and want to make sure they understand how important Medicaid is for our community.

You can help make a difference by sharing your story and speaking up for Medicaid.

Contact AAFA's advocacy team to get involved and protect Medicaid.

CONTACT AAFA

Where Can I Learn More About Medicaid?

Learn more about Medicaid by visiting these websites:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: https://www.cms.gov/ or http://medicaid.gov
• Kaiser Family Foundation: https://www.kff.org/
• Families USA: https://familiesusa.org/

References
1. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2025, January 31). Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.kff.org
2. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (n.d.). Seniors & Medicare and Medicaid Enrollees. Medicaid.gov. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/seniors-medicare-and-medicaid-enrollees/index.html
3. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2025, January 31). Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.kff.org
4. Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC). (2021, April). Medicaid and Rural Health. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.macpac.gov
5. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2020). Medicaid Enrollees Who Qualify for Benefits Based on Disability. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.medicaid.gov/medic...sbility-data-brf.pdf
6. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (n.d.). Policy Basics: Introduction to Medicaid. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-introduction-to-medicaid
7. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (n.d.). Policy Basics: Introduction to Medicaid. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.cbpp.org/research/policy-basics-introduction-to-medicaid
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2015). National Health Interview Survey, 2015. Analysis performed by the American Lung Association Epidemiology and Statistics Unit using SPSS software. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov
9. Tepler, E., et al. (2022). Health Disparities in Pediatric Food Allergy. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 129(4), 417–423. Retrieved March 19, 2025, from https://www.annallergy.org

Arsell Recalls Benadryl Liquid Elixir 100 mL Bottle Due to Risk of Child Poisoning; Violation of Federal Regulation for Child Resistant Packaging;

For Immediate Release

March 20, 2025

Contact Information

[email protected].

Company Announcement

Description:
This recall involves Benadryl Liquid Elixir sold in a round dark plastic bottle with a pink and white label on the front with the word “Benadryl” in blue text. The product contains 100 mL of Benadryl. The back label contains safety disclosures, storage instructions and manufacturer information. The product was packaged in a paper box decorated with pink and white with the word “Benadryl” written in blue text. The package has a white label on the bottom with the following code written in black text: “X003VRIGUL.”

Hazard:
The Benadryl contains diphenhydramine which must be in child-resistant packaging as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act. The packaging of the products is not child-resistant, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children.

Remedy:
Consumers should immediately secure the Benadryl out of the sight and reach of children and contact Arsell for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to submit their Amazon order number and a photo demonstrating disposal of the recalled Benadryl to [email protected]. Only the bottle is being recalled, not the medicine itself, but both should be disposed of. All known purchasers are being contacted directly.

Incidents/Injuries:
None reported

Sold At:
Sold online at Amazon.com from July 2023 through October 2024 for between $16 and $19.
Importer(s):
Arsell Inc., of Brooklyn, New York

Manufactured In:
Canada

Recall number:
25-194

Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has released the 2025 Allergy Capitals report. This report ranks the 100 most populous cities in the United States by how challenging they are to live in with pollen allergies.

Wichita, Kansas, is AAFA’s #1 Allergy Capital for 2025 – the third year in a row - due to its:

• Worse-than-average tree and grass pollen
• Worse-than-average OTC allergy medicine use
• Fewer board-certified allergists/immunologists
  
  

Key Findings in the Report

Here are some of the findings in the 2025 Allergy Capitals Report:

The Impact of Climate Change on Seasonal Allergies

New Orleans, Louisiana, gave us an example of how climate change can impact seasonal allergies. This Southern city moved to #2 this year from #34 last year. Its pollen numbers were boosted by the warmest November on record in 2024 and moisture from Hurricane Francine.

Allergy Burden in the East and South

States in the East and the South tend to carry most of the allergy burden. Year after year, most of the top Allergy Capitals are located in these 2 geographical regions.

More Activity in the West

Most cities on the list are in the East and South. This year, we saw big changes in the West. California had higher grass and weed pollen counts due to more storms that brought in moisture. For this reason, several cities in California jumped in the Allergy Capitals ranking this year.

Manage Pollen Allergies No Matter Where You Live

Our report also offers information on managing your seasonal allergy symptoms, including:

• Using pollen counts to help you limit your exposure to allergy triggers
• Finding the right over-the-counter or prescription medicines to address your symptoms
• Working with an allergist to develop an allergy management plan
  
  

Read the full report to find out how your city ranks.

The 2025 Allergy Capitals report is an independent research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America and made possible by support from Opella, the makers of Allegra®.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) is deeply concerned about recent federal actions and congressional budget threats that could put millions of Americans with asthma and allergies at risk. These policy changes jeopardize access to essential health care, environmental protections, and disability accommodations—critical safeguards for the over 100 million people in the U.S. living with asthma and/or allergic diseases.

Ensuring access to quality health care, clean air, and safe learning environments is essential for managing these conditions. However, recent administrative and legislative developments put people with asthma and allergies at risk. These developments include the following:

• Congressional Budget Threats to Medicaid: The House Budget Committee has advanced a resolution that could cut up to $880 billion in Medicaid funding over the next 10 years. These cuts would drastically undermine Medicaid coverage for more than 80 million low-income individuals, including millions of children and adults with asthma and allergies who rely on Medicaid for access to life-saving medications, specialist care, and emergency treatments.
  
  Medicaid plays a critical role in managing asthma—the most common chronic disease in children. In fact, nearly half of all children with asthma are covered by Medicaid or CHIP, making the program essential for access to life-saving treatments. Medicaid cuts or policy changes that restrict eligibility, increase out-of-pocket costs, or limit access to specialists would disproportionately harm asthma patients, particularly in low-income and medically underserved communities.
  
  

• Reducing ACA Enrollment Opportunities: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule that would shorten the Affordable Care Act (ACA) open enrollment period for the 2026 coverage year by a month. This change will give people less time to enroll in health insurance, increasing the risk that individuals with asthma and allergies will miss coverage deadlines and face gaps in medication access and preventive care.
  
  Additionally, the rule eliminates the special monthly enrollment period for low-income households earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level, making it harder for vulnerable populations to obtain and maintain continuous coverage. The rule also threatens access to care under the ACA for some young people. These changes, combined with significant funding cuts for nonprofit navigator programs that help individuals enroll, could lead to a sharp decline in ACA participation and a rise in asthma-related emergencies due to loss of access to essential care.
  
  

• Eliminating EPA Environmental Justice Offices and targeting Clean Air Protections: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the closure of all environmental justice offices, which were responsible for addressing pollution and environmental health disparities in marginalized communities. This decision removes vital resources for communities disproportionately impacted by poor air quality—a major trigger for asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. Without these offices, efforts to reduce pollution exposure, enforce clean air protections, and improve environmental health outcomes will be severely weakened.
  
  EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin also announced plans to roll back key clean air protections, including weakening National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone, reversing methane and greenhouse gas limits for oil and gas operations, and loosening vehicle emissions standards. These rollbacks will lead to increased air pollution, worsening asthma rates, and greater health disparities—especially for children and low-income communities who already bear the brunt of poor air quality.
  
  

• HHS Reorganization & Uncertainty: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of General Counsel (OGC) announced a major reorganization that will close 6 of its 10 regional offices. OGC attorneys in these offices play a vital role in enforcing nursing home and hospital standards, overseeing public health policies, and ensuring compliance with programs like Head Start. The closures could significantly reduce federal oversight and enforcement of healthcare regulations, creating gaps in accountability and potentially worsening health outcomes for vulnerable populations, including those with asthma and allergies.
  
  Additionally, HHS announced the creation of a Chief Counsel for Food, Research, and Drugs—a position that will oversee legal matters related to the FDA and NIH. While the full implications of this restructuring remain unclear, any disruption in legal oversight for medical research and public health regulations could delay critical advancements in asthma and allergy treatment.
  
  These changes also coincide with a federal effort to offload “non-core” government properties, including many key HHS buildings, raising concerns about the long-term stability of public health agencies.
  
  

• Undermining Science-Based Public Health Information and Research: The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the NIH, has issued a directive limiting its engagement on certain public health topics, including vaccines and peanut allergies, raising concerns that NCI and potentially other NIH institutes may be restricted from sharing or funding research on critical health issues. While this directive currently applies only to NCI, AAFA is concerned it could expand to other institutes like the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), delaying or canceling essential research on food allergies, asthma, and other allergic conditions.
  
  These conditions require continued research and scientific advancements to improve treatment and prevention strategies. Limiting funding or restricting communication about public health science undermines trust in proven medical interventions and threatens the health of millions.
  
  

• Threats to 504 Plan Enforcement: The Department of Education announced layoffs of over 1,300 of its about 4,000 employees. These layoffs will significantly impact the Office of Civil Rights weakening oversight and enforcement of Section 504 plans. Section 504 plans ensure students with asthma and allergies receive necessary accommodations in school such medication access and emergency response plans. Schools, especially those in under-resourced communities, may face greater challenges in compliance, leaving students vulnerable to preventable health risks.

AAFA remains committed to advocating for policies that protect people with asthma and allergies. We call on policymakers to uphold strong disability protections, environmental health regulations, access to affordable healthcare, and science-based public health initiatives.

“Millions of Americans rely on policies that ensure they can breathe clean air, access affordable care and innovative treatments, and receive critical accommodations in schools,” said Kenneth Mendez, AAFA President and CEO. “These rollbacks threaten not only the health and safety of our community but also our economy by driving up healthcare costs and leading to more missed work and school days. AAFA will continue to fight for these protections and ensure that our community’s needs are heard.”

AAFA stands as a trusted voice for the asthma and allergy community, providing resources and advocacy to improve health outcomes. We will continue to monitor these policy changes and engage with lawmakers to prevent harmful rollbacks.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by asthma, allergies, or the potential loss of critical health protections, we encourage you to share your story with us. Your personal experiences are a powerful tool in helping us advocate for better policies and raise awareness about the real-world impact of these changes. Together, we can make our voices heard for all those affected by asthma and allergies. Share your story with AAFA today contacting us directly.

Experts develop standard definition and educational tools for health care professionals

Melanie Carver, Chief Mission Officer of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), said the new consensus definition of anaphylaxis improves understanding and will also improve treatment.

“A clear, straightforward definition of anaphylaxis will help ensure people experiencing this potentially life-threatening allergic reaction get the care they need,” said Carver. “We commend the work of this panel to derive an evidence-based, patient-centered definition. The result of this work will mean both improved awareness and increase the likelihood of timely treatment.”

Carver joined a group of experts and patient advocacy groups to collaborate across the globe to develop this new definition.

See below from Cincinnati Children’s for more on how the work was done and what the new definition means for patients and providers.

New Consensus Report on Anaphylaxis: A Major Advancement in Allergy Care

New tool offers fresh guidelines for first responders, emergency care providers, allergists, and others, including how to manage infants

CINCINNATI – A groundbreaking consensus report on anaphylaxis – the severe reaction some people experience from bee stings, peanut butter exposures, medications, and the like – has been released by the Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network (GA2LEN) and recently published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The report, developed by an international panel of leading medical experts and patient advocacy organizations, aims to standardize the often-differing definitions of anaphylaxis and teach people how to recognize and manage the condition.

“Many people, including young children and adults, carry epinephrine-injectors (aka epi-pens) to self-treat if an emergency occurs. Many others do not. Likewise, our sprawling medical system, from first responders to hospital emergency staff, does not consistently follow guidelines for diagnosing and treating anaphylaxis. This is partly because no uniform guidelines are used internationally to define, recognize and treat anaphylaxis. That’s what this report seeks to address,” says Tim Dribin, MD, an emergency medicine expert at Cincinnati Children’s and the study’s co-chair who devoted a year to leading the group that produced the new standards.

“This tool includes updated clinical criteria to help diagnose anaphylaxis, criteria for using and dosing intramuscular epinephrine, and much more. Importantly, this is the first tool to include distinct infant findings to improve anaphylaxis management in young children,” Dribin says.

Burden of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis is a constant burden to patients and caregivers around the world. At any moment, thousands of people encounter situations that could cause severe allergic reactions, with symptoms including hives, swollen lips and tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing, vomiting, and passing out. While fatalities are rare, successful outcomes require rapid recognition and treatment.

Epinephrine is the only proven anaphylaxis treatment to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. However, only 21% of children and 7% of adults experiencing anaphylaxis receive epinephrine in the community. Additionally, epinephrine underuse in emergency departments is well-documented.

Expert Collaboration

The new report reflects the efforts of a 46-member panel of experts from 14 countries and seven medical specialties. The findings have received endorsements from 34 medical and patient advocacy organizations. The National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the European Medicines Agency all participated in the study.

"The clinical support tool is a game-changer in anaphylaxis management,” says Hugh Sampson, MD, an internationally renowned food allergy and anaphylaxis expert at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and the study’s chair. “By improving the rate of epinephrine use, we can significantly reduce the risk of severe reactions and fatalities, ultimately saving lives. The report will also be instrumental for advancing cutting edge research to improve the care and outcomes of patients with anaphylaxis."

"I believe the elements of this report will help ensure that patients around the world receive timely and appropriate treatment, potentially saving lives," says Antonella Muraro, MD, PhD, an internationally renowned pediatric allergist at the University of Padova in Italy and the study’s co-chair. “The report will be invaluable to first responders, emergency department providers, hospital providers, and allergists, as well as researchers trying to better understand and manage this serious and burdensome condition.”

Key Highlights of the Report

1. Unified definition: The report introduces a new, widely agreed upon definition of anaphylaxis, emphasizing its potential to cause death and detailing the involved organ systems. This definition is designed to be easily understood by health care professionals and the general public to promote improved awareness of anaphylaxis.
   
   
2. Educational overview: An innovative educational tool for health care professionals from different medical fields, training backgrounds, and experience levels. The overview provides essential information on recognizing and managing anaphylaxis, including common causes, symptoms, timely treatment with epinephrine, and key concepts for managing life-threatening reactions.
   
   
3. Clinical support tool: A new clinical support tool will help health care providers diagnose and treat anaphylaxis. This tool includes updated clinical criteria, indications, and dosing for intramuscular epinephrine and common findings from the different anaphylaxis organ systems. It is the first tool to include distinct infant findings to improve anaphylaxis management in young children, benefiting health care providers not accustomed to caring for children.

Media contact for Dr. Dribin:

Tim Bonfield
Cincinnati Children’s
[email protected]

As spring begins, now is a good time to start fresh by giving your home a thorough cleaning. If you have asthma and allergies, a clean living space can reduce your contact with allergens and irritants. Follow this checklist to help improve your indoor air quality and keep asthma and allergy triggers at bay. Be sure to use Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® products to have a healthier home.

As you clean, you may stir up allergens and asthma triggers. This can cause them to become airborne and get into your eyes, nose, mouth, and lungs. This is especially common when vacuuming, dusting, or cleaning up mold.

To reduce your exposure to asthma and allergy triggers while cleaning, wear an N95 mask and goggles and cover your hair. Or have someone else clean while you are not in the room. Also use Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® products that can help capture allergens and reduce your exposure.

Bedrooms

• Remove clutter.
• Replace pillows if more than 2years old.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Mop solid surface floors and under all furniture.
• Remove dust on and behind furniture, like dressers and nightstands, on ceiling fans and light fixtures, and closet shelves (use a microfiber cloth or Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® dust cloth that traps allergens).
• Check allergen barrier covers on mattresses and pillows for wear – replace, if necessary.
• Replace or clean filters in air cleaners.
• Vacuum mattresses, fabric furniture, and wall-to-wall carpet weekly with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly®.
  
  

Bathrooms

• Fix leaks.
• Dust or rinse clean the exhaust fan covers.
• Clean and remove mold (check showers, tubs, sinks, toilets, and inside cabinets).
• Check shower curtains for signs of mold and mildew – replace, if necessary.
• If your bathroom has a window, wash curtains or replace them with frosted glass or blinds. Clean weekly.
• Wash throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
  
  

Living/Family Room

• Remove clutter.
• Remove dust from ceiling fans and electronics.
• Mop solid surface floors and under all furniture.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Replace filters in air cleaners.
• Vacuum furniture and wall-to-wall carpet weekly with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® (Long term, it is best to replace carpet with CERTIFIED solid surface flooring, if possible).
  
  

Kitchen

• Fix leaks.
• Remove mold. Check sinks, inside cabinets, produce bins, trash cans, and refrigerator seals.
• Wipe down the tops of cabinets and range hoods often with warm, soapy water.
• Wash curtains and throw rugs in water at 130° F or hotter weekly.
• Clean your garbage disposal with baking soda and white vinegar.
• Mop floors and under all furniture.
  
  

Looking for tips for other areas of your home? Check out our Healthier Home Checklist. Our interactive checklist can help you learn ways to improve your indoor air quality and reduce asthma and allergy triggers throughout your entire home.

When spring allergy season first starts, causing you to sniffle and sneeze, tree pollen is usually to blame. Trees produce pollen February through April in most of the United States. In the Southern U.S., trees can produce pollen as early as December or January and peak throughout the year.

What Are the Symptoms of a Tree Pollen Allergy?

A pollen allergy can cause seasonal allergic rhinitis – commonly called “hay fever.” Pollen released by trees, as well as grasses and weeds, cause allergy symptoms. They include:

• Runny nose (also known as rhinorrhea – this is typically a clear, thin nasal discharge)
• Stuffy nose (due to blockage or nasal congestion – one of the most common and troublesome symptoms)
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose, eyes, ears, and mouth
• Red and watery eyes
• Swelling around the eyes
  
  

If you have allergic asthma and are allergic to tree pollen, you might also have asthma symptoms while the trees are producing pollen.

Tree pollen is light so the wind can carry it for miles. These light, dry grains easily find their way to your sinuses, lungs, and eyes, making them hard to avoid.

What Trees Cause the Most Symptoms?

Some tree pollen causes more problems than others. Some of the trees that cause the most symptoms are:

• Alder
• Ash
• Aspen
• Beech
• Birch
• Box elder
• Cedar
• Cottonwood
• Elm
• Hickory
• Juniper
• Maple
• Mulberry
• Oak
• Olive
• Pecan
• Poplar
• Walnut
• Willow
  
  

Mountain cedar and juniper can cause seasonal allergy symptoms called “cedar fever” December through February. It mostly occurs in Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

What Can I Do to Relieve My Pollen Allergy Symptoms?

Thankfully, there are several options for relieving pollen allergy symptoms, available both over the counter and by prescription. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and treatment options. Your doctor might have you take a combination of medicines and treatments to keep your symptoms controlled. These include:

• Nasal rinses
• Nose sprays
• Eye drops
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Leukotriene [loo-kuh-trahy-een] modifiers
• Cromolyn sodium
  
  

Talk with your doctor about taking your allergy medicines and starting treatment before tree pollen season starts in your area.

If these medicines don’t completely relieve your symptoms, your doctor might also give you immunotherapy. This is a long-term treatment that can reduce the severity of your allergic reactions. It usually involves regular shots, tablets, or drops you take under the tongue.

You can also take steps to reduce your exposure to tree pollen:

• If you haven’t had allergy testing, find a board-certified allergist to test you for pollen allergies. Work with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan.
  
  
• Limit your outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. This will cut down the amount of pollen allergen you inhale and help reduce your symptoms.
  
  

• Watch pollen counts and forecasts. Many local weather reports will give pollen counts or forecasts. You can also visit websites like pollen.aaaai.org for pollen reports.
  
  

• Cover your hair, nose, mouth, and eyes while outside.
  
  

• Use central air conditioning or air cleaners with a Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® filter and/or HEPA filter to reduce your exposure to indoor airborne allergens (including pollen that may enter your home through doors, windows, on your clothes, and on pets), if possible.
  
  

• Dry your clothes in a dryer and not outside on a clothesline.
  
  
• Change and wash clothes you wear during outdoor activities as soon as you come inside.
  
  

It may be hard to avoid tree pollen during the late winter and spring. But you can reduce your symptoms with the right treatment.

Medical Review: Content summarized from Tree Pollen Allergy and Pollen Allergy which were reviewed August 2024 and September 2024 by Mitchell Grayson, MD