It’s Cedar Fever Season Again (And Yes, It’s Hitting Hard Right Now)

Hey Central Texas Friends, Happy New Year… or should I say, achoo New Year? If you’re in Austin, San Antonio, or anywhere in the Hill Country, you know exactly what I’m talking about. As of early January 2026, cedar pollen counts are spiking – we’re right in the thick of it, with peaks often slamming us mid-month. Those Ashe juniper trees (the real culprits behind “mountain cedar”) are exploding with pollen, turning the air into a yellow haze and making half of us feel like we have the flu.

Runny nose, itchy watery eyes, sinus pressure that feels like your head’s in a vice, sore throat, fatigue – sound familiar? Cedar fever isn’t actually a fever (though some folks run a low-grade one), but it can wipe you out just the same. And unlike spring allergies, this one’s a winter special, running from mid-December through February or early March.

Antihistamines, nasal sprays, and staying indoors help a ton (pro tip: shower before bed to rinse off the pollen and change your pillowcase nightly.) You may even have a stash of natural healing products in your medicine cabinet. I love my neti pot this time of year, and I keep “Texas Knows” drops and Jadescreen Teapills on my kitchen counter for regular consumption. I appreciate that they are natural remedies, but they don’t seem to actually touch the real discomfort, IMO. So if you’re looking for something more immediately effective to ease the congestion and puffiness, have you tried manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)?

I know, it sounds a bit “woo-woo,” but hear me out – this gentle massage technique was actually developed back in the 1930s in France by Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder,  partly to help with chronic sinus issues and allergies. In Central Texas, where our lymphatic systems are working overtime to deal with all that cedar pollen buildup, MLD can be a game-changer for symptom relief.

Here’s how it works: When cedar pollen triggers your immune response, it causes inflammation and fluid retention in your sinuses, face, and neck. Your lymphatic system – that network of vessels that clears out toxins, excess fluid, and waste – can get sluggish. MLD uses super light, rhythmic strokes to stimulate lymph flow, helping drain that congestion, reduce swelling, and even support your immune system in flushing out allergens faster.

Many people here in Texas report feeling clearer-headed and less stuffy after just one or two sessions, especially when focused on the face and neck. It’s relaxing too – bonus points for lowering stress, which can make allergies worse.

Of course, it’s not a cure (nothing beats avoiding pollen altogether), and the science is stronger for things like post-surgery swelling than allergies specifically. But as a complementary tool alongside your Zyrtec or Flonase? Absolutely worth trying, especially if meds make you drowsy or you prefer natural options.

As a certified MLD therapist, I’ve developed a facial/sinus-focused session to help with face and head drainage. I use Manual Lymphatic Drainage, some light cupping, gua sha with some vibration, and even buccal, a technique that really targets sinus tissues, and relieves that heaviness you feel.

You can also try a simple self-version at home: gentle circular strokes from the center vertical line of your face out toward your ears, down to your collarbone. then along your neck. Do it daily during peak season for mild relief.

If your symptoms are brutal, chat with an allergist – they might suggest shots or other long-term fixes. But in the meantime, let’s survive this cedar onslaught together. Who’s with me? Drop your best cedar fever hacks in the comments – we all need them right now! Stay strong, Texas. Spring (and oak pollen…) will be here before we know it.