What to do when allergy season never seems to end
By Annie Chung on September 23, 2026
For Ellis Wooden, the onset of warmer weather brought with it a feeling of dread.
As a teen growing up in New Orleans, his allergies were so severe that he had to stop playing football. When he moved to Texas for college in 2016, things did not improve.
"After I got to Texas, the ragweed and pollen made everything so much worse," Wooden said. "For the first two or three years, I was just sick, sick."
He experienced congestion, wheezing and the kind of fatigue that made a long school day or workday feel nearly impossible. And the symptoms never seemed to relent.
Baylor Scott & White Health’s virtual-first Allergy Care program helps adults with persistent allergy symptoms access personalized care and ongoing support.
Trying to manage symptoms for years
Over the years, Wooden tried a long list of approaches to manage his symptoms. He took daily over-the-counter allergy medication and used nasal spray from a local pharmacy. He followed a vegan diet to eliminate dairy and reduce mucus. He tried elderberry syrup mixed with local honey from a chiropractor.
He even wore a mask and goggles to mow his own lawn.
Some remedies helped for a while, but none gave him consistent relief.
An allergist once told Wooden that his allergies were among the most severe they had seen. During previous skin testing, he broke out in hives across his body. The recommended next step involved exposing him to small doses of the allergens that triggered his symptoms, but he was hesitant.
"I didn't want more of what I was allergic to put into my body," Wooden said.
So, he continued managing his symptoms as best he could.
A longer growing season can mean more pollen in the air for more months of the year, which can lead to more sneezing, congestion, wheezing and other allergy symptoms.
"
- John A Joseph, II, MD, Medical Director of the Allergy Care Program at Baylor Scott & White Health
As an overnight truck driver, Wooden checks his email frequently.
It is one of the ways he stays connected between overnight shifts and daytime sleep.
So when messages from Baylor Scott & White began appearing in his inbox about a virtual-first Allergy Care program, he noticed them. What made him pause was not only the subject matter but the tone.
"It wasn't overkill or overwhelming, and it didn’t feel like spam. It was just enough to catch my attention," he said.
Wooden began to notice a difference while working overnight. He was breathing more comfortably as he hauled freight.
Then came one of his biggest seasonal tests: mowing the lawn.
Before the familiar wheezing and sneezing began, he used the sprays and gargled saltwater. The following morning, he felt fine.
"It worked for real," he said. "It has changed my life."
Follow-up surveys and check-ins allowed him to report how he was doing after the appointment. That gave the care team an opportunity to track his response and adjust the plan if needed.
Relief in the places that mattered
From there, over-the-counter antihistamine nasal sprays, corticosteroid nasal sprays and antihistamine pills are all effective options for managing symptoms. Dr. Kumaresan also notes that decongestants can provide short-term relief, though they’re best used sparingly. One pro tip: If you’re using a corticosteroid spray, start before peak season, as these medications can take several weeks to reach their full effectiveness.
When over-the-counter options aren’t cutting it, it may be time to talk to a doctor. For patients with persistent symptoms, allergy shots are another avenue worth exploring. Allergy shots work by strengthening the immune system and desensitizing your body to the allergen.
“Allergy shots may take a little while to work, and they may not work for everyone,” says Dr. Winter, “but when other treatments don’t work, allergy shots can be effective.”
Practical Tips for Allergy Season
The best offense is a good defense. Physicians on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White hospitals agree that before reaching for medication, there are several simple habits that can meaningfully reduce how much pollen you’re actually exposed to each day.
Check the pollen count before heading outside
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Today, Wooden describes himself as someone who is "just enjoying life.”
He has a routine that works, a family he loves and, after years of feeling sick for much of the year, a clearer way to manage his allergies.
He was also struck by how straightforward the experience felt.
"Everything was perfect, to the point and not overwhelming," he said. "I'm just glad I didn't ignore those emails."
For Wooden, finding relief was not about discovering a single universal remedy. It was about receiving care that considered his history, respected his concerns and gave him a plan he could realistically follow.
Baylor Scott & White’s Allergy Care program is available to adults in Texas through MyBSWHealth and includes virtual evaluation, personalized treatment planning and ongoing follow-up.
Breathing a sigh of relief
The best part? You don’t have to be an existing Baylor Scott & White patient to get started. Simply download the MyBSWHealth app, create an account and you’re on your way. To download the app, just text “BETTER” to 88408.
Dr. Kumaresan emphasizes that you don’t have to figure it out alone. “Allergies can be challenging,” she says. “The right care team can help you develop a personalized plan to finally get them under control.” And with allergy season lasting longer every year in Texas, having expert care available in your pocket when you need it is a good thing.
“In Texas, allergy symptoms can feel like they never fully go away. Because of our climate and the variety of trees, grasses and weeds that release pollen at different times of year, many people experience allergy symptoms across multiple seasons,” explains John A Joseph, II, MD, Medical Director of the Allergy Care Program at Baylor Scott & White Health.
That means many people may be dealing with allergy symptoms for more of the year than they used to.
“Allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer for many people,” says Dr. Joseph. “A longer growing season can mean more pollen in the air for more months of the year, which can lead to more sneezing, congestion, wheezing and other allergy symptoms.”
Eventually for Wooden, being sick for months at a time became more than just an inconvenience. He needed to find relief.
Most weather apps include a daily allergy forecast. Some pollens peak early in the day between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., while others peak in the early afternoon, between noon and 3:00 p.m.
Plan around the weather
Dry, windy days are the worst for pollen exposure. Rainy days are actually your friend. Rain helps clear pollen from the air, making it a better time to get outside.
Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors
Pollen clings to hair, skin and fabric. Tracking it inside defeats the purpose of having a refuge from the elements.
Keep your windows closed and run the air conditioning
On high-pollen days, outside air is the enemy. Dr. Winter recommends using air filters at home to further reduce indoor pollen levels.
Protect your bedroom
Washing bedding frequently and using allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers can make a significant difference, especially for anyone who wakes up congested.
Your wellness journey starts here.
Explore more health and wellness content with Baylor Scott & White Health.
What to do when allergy season never seems to end
Baylor Scott & White Health’s virtual-first Allergy Care program helps adults with persistent allergy symptoms access personalized care and ongoing support.
Your wellness journey starts here.
Explore more health and wellness content with Baylor Scott & White Health.
Learn More
Sponsored by
An option that fit his schedule
Before his appointment, Wooden completed questionnaires through MyBSWHealth about his allergy history, symptoms and previous treatments.
When he met with the provider virtually, much of that background was already available. The provider asked how long he had experienced symptoms, how allergies affected his daily life and what he had already tried. The provider explained what was happening in his body, which allergy seasons were approaching and what he might expect in the weeks ahead. The goal was to help Wooden prepare for his symptoms rather than waiting until they became difficult to control.
He received prescriptions for two nasal sprays that were more effective than the over-the-counter spray he had been purchasing. He was instructed to use one spray, wait 10 minutes and then use the second.
For Wooden, having a clear plan removed some of the uncertainty that had come with years of trying different remedies on his own.
A visit informed by years of allergy history
That kind of guidance can be useful because allergy treatment is not one-size-fits-all. Depending on a person’s symptoms and medical history, options may include saline rinses, antihistamines, corticosteroid nasal sprays, prescription medications or allergy shots.
Simple changes can also help reduce exposure. Checking pollen levels before spending time outside, keeping windows closed on high-pollen days, showering and changing clothes after outdoor activities, and washing bedding regularly can help limit the amount of pollen brought into the home.
But when those steps are not enough, tracking symptoms and treatment response can help a provider determine what to try next.
By Annie Chung on Aug 11, 2026
For Ellis Wooden, the onset of warmer weather brought with it a feeling of dread.
As a teen growing up in New Orleans, his allergies were so severe that he had to stop playing football. When he moved to Texas for college in 2016, things did not improve.
"After I got to Texas, the ragweed and pollen made everything so much worse," Wooden said. "For the first two or three years, I was just sick, sick."
He experienced congestion, wheezing and the kind of fatigue that made a long school day or workday feel nearly impossible. And the symptoms never seemed to relent.
“In Texas, allergy symptoms can feel like they never fully go away. Because of our climate and the variety of trees, grasses and weeds that release pollen at different times of year, many people experience allergy symptoms across multiple seasons,” explains John Joseph, MD, medical director of the Allergy Care program at Baylor Scott & White Health.
That means many people may be dealing with allergy symptoms for more of the year than they used to.
“Allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer for many people,” says Dr. Joseph. “A longer growing season can mean more pollen in the air for more months of the year, which can lead to more sneezing, congestion, wheezing and other allergy symptoms.”
Eventually for Wooden, being sick for months at a time became more than just an inconvenience. He needed to find relief.
A longer growing season can mean more pollen in the air for more months of the year, which can lead to more sneezing, congestion, wheezing and other allergy symptoms.
John A Joseph, II, MD, Medical Director of the Allergy Care Program at Baylor Scott & White Health
"
Over the years, Wooden tried a long list of approaches to manage his symptoms. He took daily over-the-counter allergy medication and used nasal spray from a local pharmacy. He followed a vegan diet to eliminate dairy and reduce mucus. He tried elderberry syrup mixed with local honey from a chiropractor.
He even wore a mask and goggles to mow his own lawn.
Some remedies helped for a while, but none gave him consistent relief.
An allergist once told Wooden that his allergies were among the most severe they had seen. During previous skin testing, he broke out in hives across his body. The recommended next step involved exposing him to small doses of the allergens that triggered his symptoms, but he was hesitant.
"I didn't want more of what I was allergic to put into my body," Wooden said.
So, he continued managing his symptoms as best he could.
As an overnight truck driver, Wooden checks his email frequently.
It is one of the ways he stays connected between overnight shifts and daytime sleep.
So when messages from Baylor Scott & White began appearing in his inbox about a virtual-first Allergy Care program, he noticed them. What made him pause was not only the subject matter but the tone.
"It wasn't overkill or overwhelming, and it didn’t feel like spam. It was just enough to catch my attention," he said.
When another message arrived at the right moment, he clicked the link.
He found the program was designed for adults with persistent environmental allergy symptoms who may need more than a one-time visit or another round of trial-and-error treatment. Care begins virtually, with the option for in-person evaluation or follow-up when needed.
For Wooden, the virtual format was especially practical. He is often driving across the country, working through the night and sleeping during the day, as well as caring for his wife and two children. Finding time to travel to a clinic and sit in a waiting room could be difficult.
A virtual appointment was not simply more convenient. It was the option that fit his life.
Trying to manage symptoms for years
The best offense is a good defense. Physicians on the medical staff at Baylor Scott & White hospitals agree that before reaching for medication, there are several simple habits that can meaningfully reduce how much pollen you’re actually exposed to each day.
Practical Tips for Allergy Season
Check the pollen count before heading outside
Most weather apps include a daily allergy forecast. Some pollens peak early in the day between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., while others peak in the early afternoon, between noon and 3:00 p.m.
Plan around the weather
Dry, windy days are the worst for pollen exposure. Rainy days are actually your friend. Rain helps clear pollen from the air, making it a better time to get outside.
Shower and change clothes after spending time outdoors
Pollen clings to hair, skin and fabric. Tracking it inside defeats the purpose of having a refuge from the elements.
Keep your windows closed and run the air conditioning
On high-pollen days, outside air is the enemy. Dr. Winter recommends using air filters at home to further reduce indoor pollen levels.
Protect your bedroom
Washing bedding frequently and using allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers can make a significant difference, especially for anyone who wakes up congested.
Wooden began to notice a difference while working overnight. He was breathing more comfortably as he hauled freight.
Then came one of his biggest seasonal tests: mowing the lawn.
Before the familiar wheezing and sneezing began, he used the sprays and gargled saltwater. The following morning, he felt fine.
"It worked for real," he said. "It has changed my life."
Follow-up surveys and check-ins allowed him to report how he was doing after the appointment. That gave the care team an opportunity to track his response and adjust the plan if needed.
Relief in the places that mattered
Today, Wooden describes himself as someone who is "just enjoying life.”
He has a routine that works, a family he loves and, after years of feeling sick for much of the year, a clearer way to manage his allergies.
He was also struck by how straightforward the experience felt.
"Everything was perfect, to the point and not overwhelming," he said. "I'm just glad I didn't ignore those emails."
For Wooden, finding relief was not about discovering a single universal remedy. It was about receiving care that considered his history, respected his concerns and gave him a plan he could realistically follow.
Baylor Scott & White’s Allergy Care program is available to adults in Texas through MyBSWHealth and includes virtual evaluation, personalized treatment planning and ongoing follow-up.
Breathing a sigh of relief
It wasn't overkill or overwhelming. It was just enough to catch my attention.
- Ellis Wooden, Baylor Scott & White patient
"
Scan or click the QR code to explore Baylor Scott & White’s Allergy Care Program online.
Scan the QRcode or Click here to explore
Baylor Scott & White’s
Allergy Care Program
When another message arrived at the right moment, he clicked the link.
He found the program was designed for adults with persistent environmental allergy symptoms who may need more than a one-time visit or another round of trial-and-error treatment. Care begins virtually, with the option for in-person evaluation or follow-up when needed.
For Wooden, the virtual format was especially practical. He is often driving across the country, working through the night and sleeping during the day, as well as caring for his wife and two children. Finding time to travel to a clinic and sit in a waiting room could be difficult.
A virtual appointment was not simply more convenient. It was the option that fit his life.
