Living in the Dallas area and my child's seasonal allergies

Every year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks the worst cities for seasonal allergies – and every year, Dallas makes the list. In 2023, Dallas ranked second on the list of the most challenging cities in America to live with allergies.

Texas is deep in the "pollen belt" – the region of the country that stretches from the southern Midwest to the Southeast. It's the worst area in the nation for seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis.

If your child has seasonal allergies, they may have some specific challenges living in the Dallas area. Unlike some other parts of the country, there's a seasonal allergy for all four seasons.

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Learn more about how to help a child with seasonal allergies by listening to the Children's Health Checkup podcast.

Common seasonal allergies in North Texas

February to June: Tree pollen

The trees chiefly responsible for many spring allergies are ash, elm, pine, oak, pecan, hickory, poplar and walnut trees. But removing them from your yard won't protect your child from allergies. The wind can blow tree pollen miles away from where it originated.

March to September: Grass pollen

This allergy season often peaks in summer. Grass pollen can come from grass in neighborhoods, backyards and from wild uncut grass that grows on roadsides and other places.

Year-round, but peaking in July through late summer: Mold

Mold consists of fungi that grow in damp and warm conditions. It accumulates on rotting logs, dead grass, fallen leaves, straw and other plants. Spores can be picked up by the wind and travel through the air.

Children may experience symptoms of mold allergies year-round. Their symptoms may be worse during the most humid months, July and August.

August to November: Ragweed

Ragweed season only lasts weeks in some parts of the country, but can last for up to four months in Texas.

One ragweed plant produces a billion pollen grains. This plant typically grows in rural areas. But your child may still experience symptoms even if they live far away from where the plant grows because pollen can travel hundreds of miles.

December to February: Mountain cedar pollen

Sometimes called "Cedar Fever" or "The Christmas Allergy," cedar pollen allergy affects Texas during the winter months.

As with most seasonal allergies, the culprit is pollen. This is the powder that comes from plants, grasses and trees that becomes windborne. This pollen comes from Ashe juniper trees — more popularly known as mountain cedar and largely indigenous to Central Texas. These evergreens produce the highest pollen counts of any pollinating plant in Texas.

Mountain cedar pollen counts are generally worse when it's sunny and windy. The pollen counts vary from year to year. But a rainy fall may mean worse mountain cedar pollen allergies in the winter. That's because rain produces healthier juniper trees which will emit more pollen.

To stay ahead of seasonal allergies, see eight ways to minimize allergy symptoms.

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The allergy specialists at Children's Health℠ can help diagnose and treat seasonal allergies. Learn more about our Allergy program and services.