COVID or allergies? An Austin allergist says your sniffles aren’t going away anytime soon

A year of allergens

Potential allergens are present in Austin all year long and even though cedar is famously inflammatory, Humphrey said she gets just as many patients for ragweed and oak allergies.

"I think cedar definitely gets the press because it's during the holidays and the counts can be so astronomical, making people feel so, so, so crummy," Humphrey said. "Especially for fall, ragweed, alternaria mold and spring oak, I would say are our top allergens."

Ragweed season is tapering off, usually spanning July-October, but Humphrey said it is lingering a bit longer than normal this year. Humphrey tells her patients that the dreaded "cedar fever" will resume from Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day and after that, oak pollen takes over through May.

Though grass pollen can bother residents year-round, it starts to germinate around May. Mold is prevalent all year long, especially in the colder months and after it rains. After that, the cycle continues anew.

COVID-19 vs. allergies

​According to Humphrey, one of the first questions she asks patients is if they recently made a move to Austin, and if so, where did they move from. Since so many of the allergies suffered by residents come from plants native to Central Texas, newbies usually develop allergies within the first few years of being here.

Even if you're a lifelong local, you can still suffer a reaction to Austin's native plants. There is one key differentiator between allergies and COVID:

"If you're super itchy, it's more likely it's allergies. If you take over-the-counter allergy meds and you get relief, it's more likely allergies," Humphrey said. "On the flip side, if you've got a fever, if you have chills, body aches, a really bad persistent cough or if you have a big change in your sense of taste or smell, for sure that's when you'd want to see a doctor and get a COVID test."

Itchiness in your eyes, nose, face, throat and skin is a telltale sign unique to allergies, according to Humphrey, but the two illnesses share a variety of symptoms. Congestion, runny noses, postnasal drip and a cough can be present in both cases but Humphrey said you should seek help when you feel feverish.

At-home prevention

Start by giving your home a regular scrubbing, especially for those things you don't normally think about cleaning like throw pillows and rugs that harbor allergens. During your peak allergy season, take a shower after you've been outside and if you took your animal with you, clean them off as well. Many locals eat local honey daily to naturally aid their allergies—the more hyperlocal the pollen, the more it will help.

The best introduction to over-the-counter medication for allergies is a nasal steroid like Flonase or Rhinocort, according to Humphrey, and you can add an oral antihistamine like Zyrtec or Allegra for more severe allergies. If you're still struggling with allergies on top of that, Humphrey says you may want to check in with a doctor.