Think that allergies aren't a problem during the winter? Think again. Some areas of the country experience their worst allergy season during the wintertime, when mountain cedar pollinates. And even when the plants outside aren't pollinating, other triggers still exist to make your nose congested and runny. From indoor Christmas trees to outdoor mold and irritants such as cold and windy weather, there are a number of non-pollen sources of wintertime nasal symptoms.
In addition, cold temperatures can lead to hives, which is called cold urticaria.
Mountain cedar is a type of juniper tree found mainly in South and Central Texas that pollinates in the winter, from December through March. In the areas where it grows, it is usually the only major pollen present during the wintertime. Mountain cedar is a major cause of hay fever, and people who suffer from this form of pollen allergy typically refer to it as “cedar fever.”
As the weather starts to turn cold and crisp around the country, people are packing their pockets with tissues to combat their runny noses. But this usually isn't due to allergies -- rather, it's caused by vasomotor rhinitis.