Facts, Prevention, and Relief for Cottonwood Tree Allergies for 2024

Cottonwood trees are a species of poplar that can be found throughout most of the United States. While this giant shade tree is a nice sight for some people, allergy sufferers may have a different perspective. The widespread nature of these trees means it can be pretty difficult to avoid cottonwood pollen when allergy season comes around.  

Cottonwood pollen, like most tree pollen, is very lightweight and travels in the air. While it’s considered a moderately allergenic tree pollen, those with allergies likely take no comfort in that fact. If you’re looking to find relief from your cottonwood allergies, Wyndly can help.

Schedule a consultation to get a personalized allergy treatment plan with Wyndly, or read on to learn more about cottonwood allergies

Common Symptoms

If you do have cottonwood allergies, you can expect to experience several symptoms during allergy symptoms, such as:

• Runny nose
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Scratchy throat
• Itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• Aggravated symptoms for people with asthma

When the cottonwood pollen count is high, you may find that your symptoms worsen. Generally, you can expect to experience some degree of symptoms throughout allergy season unless you take preventive measures.

Where Is Cottonwood Found?

Cottonwood trees are widespread and can be found in just about every state. These shade trees can be found in parks and backyards, along various bodies of water, and in many other areas. With cottonwood pollen traveling by wind, you can expect pollen to travel for miles, making it difficult to avoid the pollen from these allergenic trees.

When Is Cottonwood Pollen Allergy Season? 

Cottonwoods have a fairly typical allergy season, peaking in spring like most allergenic trees. You can expect cottonwood allergy season to start around late February and extend into March, April, and sometimes May. March and April will likely be the months with the highest concentration of pollen and the most difficult months for those with cottonwood allergies.

Testing and Diagnosis

During tree allergy season, a diverse array of trees produce pollen and release it into the air. This can make it almost impossible to pinpoint cottonwood pollen as the exact cause of your allergies. However, with an allergy test, you can find out the exact source of your allergies. To make allergy testing more convenient, Wyndly provides an at-home allergy test that doesn’t require a doctor’s visit or an uncomfortable test. Buy your at-home allergy test today!

Let’s examine how different allergy testing options work.

Old-Fashioned Method: Skin Prick Test at Your Doctor’s Office

Skin prick testing requires you to go to the doctor to determine your allergen triggers. It’s often uncomfortable, and it takes time out of your day. You’ll go to the doctor’s office, they’ll administer a test where they prick or scrape your skin with a needle tipped with different allergens, and then they’ll observe the areas they pricked for itchiness, redness, or swelling. All in all, it’s not a pleasant experience. Instead, you can save yourself time and discomfort by getting an at-home test.

Modern and Efficient At-Home Method

1. Order Wyndly’s at-home allergy test. We ship our CLIA-certified test straight to your door.
2. Take the allergy test and send it back to us. Just do a quick finger prick test to provide us with a blood sample, and mail it back when you’re done.
3. Receive your personalized treatment plan. Our doctor will interpret your results, create an allergy profile, and walk you through your treatment plan.

Unlike self-diagnosis, an allergy test can reveal the full breadth of your allergies. This way you know exactly what you’re allergic to and how you can treat your symptoms.

Treatment and Remedies

If you find that cottonwood pollen is your primary allergen, there are things you can do to reduce and relieve your symptoms. Here are some of the most common strategies and remedies you can try.

Limiting Exposure

One of the first things you should try when you want to manage your allergy symptoms is limit your exposure to cottonwood pollen. Since cottonwood pollen travels in the air, it can be difficult to avoid altogether. However, using some of these methods may help reduce your exposure overall.

• Check the pollen count: You’ll want to take a look at the pollen count in the morning to see the pollen concentration in your area. This can be done using an app or website. On high pollen count days, try to stay indoors as much as possible.
• Watch your outdoor hours: Pollen tends to peak in the early morning and afternoon. If you are planning on going outside for the day, try to limit that outdoor time to the evening hours.
• Keep windows closed: You want to keep pollen out of your house, so be sure to keep your windows closed during the pollen season. It’s best to run your A/C instead.
• Take shoes off: To take off your shoes when you get home so you don’t track pollen in.
• Wipe off pets: Your pets can easily track in pollen too! Wipe off their fur and paws with a towel before they come in to keep this to a minimum.
• Clean your home: Keep your home extra clean during allergy season. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and cleaning hard surfaces with a wet rag can help keep pollen from accumulating in the house.
• Wash off when you get home: After being outdoors, it’s a good idea to take a shower to get pollen off your skin and out of your hair. At the very least, wash your hands and face in the sink.
• Do laundry more often: It’s easy for pollen to stick to your clothes. Do laundry frequently during allergy season, and don’t dry your clothes on the line outside.

Medications

Allergy medications can be useful for managing your cottonwood allergy symptoms. There are various different options when it comes to allergy medication.

• Over-the-counter medications: Over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medications are widely available and suitable for temporarily managing most symptoms. Here are some options you might try:
  • Antihistamines: Antihistamines are designed to temporarily block the production of histamine, relieving a variety of different allergy symptoms.
  • Nasal sprays: With a nasal spray, you can reduce symptoms of runny or stuffy noses. These sprays can reduce nasal swelling and inflammation to provide temporary relief.
  • Eye drops: Eye drops can flush pollen out of your eyes and relieve itchy, red, and watery eye symptoms.
• Prescription: If OTC allergy medications aren’t providing any relief, you may want to consult your doctor about possible prescription options instead.

Sublingual Immunotherapy

Sublingual immunotherapy is an actual treatment for allergy symptoms. Taking OTC meds and limiting exposure can manage your symptoms, but they can’t rid you of them. With sublingual immunotherapy, you can find lifelong relief.

Sublingual immunotherapy works by introducing small, gradually increasing doses of your allergen to your immune system. This retrains it to ignore these harmless substances instead of responding with symptoms. With sublingual immunotherapy, you get a treatment that is just as effective as allergy shots without the need for painful needles or doctor’s visits. Sublingual immunotherapy can be self-administered at home.

Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly

When you want long-term relief from your allergy symptoms, Wyndly can help. Our doctors can design a personalized allergy treatment plan to address your allergy concerns and help you find relief from your cottonwood allergies.

Choose Wyndly when you’re ready to treat your allergy symptoms instead of just managing them. Schedule your allergy consultation today!

Cottonwood Tree FAQs

Below are some frequently asked questions about cottonwood allergies.

Can cottonwood allergies be deadly?

Cottonwood tree pollen is considered moderately allergenic, and it’s extremely unlikely that cottonwood allergies would ever be fatal. With that being said, allergies can make symptoms of asthma worsen, which can sometimes cause a severe asthma attack. If you ever do have a severe allergic response, seek immediate medical attention.

Can I remove cottonwoods from my yard to get rid of allergies?

You may find this tactic to be more trouble than it’s worth. Even if you do remove cottonwood trees from your yard, the pollen can travel great distances, meaning any cottonwoods in your area could cause your allergies to flare up anyway.

Can I move to a state that doesn’t have cottonwood trees?

Cottonwood trees can be found throughout the United States.

When will cottonwood pollen be at its worst?

Cottonwood pollen season usually peaks in March and April. Allergy sufferers should take extra measures to limit their exposure during these months.

Environmental and Seasonal Allergens

Allergies to Cats

Allergies to Dogs

Allergies to Horses

Alder Tree Allergies

Ash Tree Allergies

Aspen Tree Allergies

Bahia Grass Allergies

Beech Tree Allergies

Cedar Tree Allergies

Chestnut Tree Allergies

Cocklebur Allergies

Cockroach Allergies

Cottonwood Tree Allergies

Cypress Tree Allergies

Dust Mite Allergies

Elm Tree Allergies

English Plantain Allergies

Grass Pollen Allergies

Hazel Tree Allergies

Hickory Tree Allergies

Hornbeam Tree Allergies

Indoor Allergies

Johnson Grass Allergies

Juniper Tree Allergies

Kentucky Bluegrass Allergies

Kochia Allergies

Lamb’s Quarters Allergies

Maple Tree Allergies

Mesquite Tree Allergies

Mold Allergies

Mugwort Allergies

Mulberry Tree Allergies

Oak Allergies

Olive Tree Allergies

Orchard Grass Allergies

Palm Tree Allergies

Pecan Tree Allergies

Pigweed Allergies

Pine Tree Allergies

Poplar Tree Allergies

Redtop Grass Allergies

Rye Grass Allergies

Sagebrush Allergies

Sheep Sorrel Allergies

Sweet Vernal Grass Allergies

Sycamore Tree Allergies

Tree Pollen Allergies

Tumbleweed Allergies

Walnut Tree Allergies

Weed Pollen Allergies

Willow Tree Allergies