Facts, Prevention, and Relief for Idaho Allergies in 2024
Beat your allergies forever.
Get Started With WyndlyIdaho is known for its vast wilderness and outdoor landscapes. The plethora of plant life means that Idaho allergy season can get pretty bad for allergy sufferers, but the harsh winters do cut allergy season short and provide some relief.
As it is in most states, Idaho residents will also have to deal with mold, dust, pet dander, and other indoor allergens. But what about seasonal Idaho allergies? What can residents do to manage their symptoms, and what types of pollen are the most common?
If you’re looking for allergy relief, Wyndly can help. Our doctors can provide a personalized treatment plan to bring you long-term relief from your Idaho allergies. Get your allergy consultation today, or read on to learn more about the Idaho allergy season.
When Is Idaho Allergy Season?
Idaho residents experience all the seasons, with warm springs and cold winters, so the allergy season is fairly typical. Allergies will typically begin in early spring, usually around late February and early March. They can persist until the first frost, which usually happens around late October in Idaho. This makes allergy season a little shorter in Idaho than in some other states.
Allergens by Season
Idaho allergens will be present in spring, summer, and fall. Let’s take a look at the allergies by season.
Summer
Summer is the season of grass allergies in Idaho, along with the beginning of weed allergy season. Bluegrass, ryegrass, Bermuda, timothy, orchard, and fescue are all significant contributors. Ragweed season will likely start in August as well.
Fall
Fall is when weed allergies take over in Idaho. Ragweed is the main offender here, with sagebrush, pigweed, chenopods, tumbleweed, and amaranth also contributing. Fall allergies will typically end around October when the first frost hits Idaho.
Winter
In winter, Idaho residents should find some relief from their pollen allergies. With that being said, be sure to take precautions against indoor allergies like mold, dust, and pet dander.
Spring
Spring brings tree allergies to Idaho. Cottonwood, juniper, and maple are the worst offenders, but walnut, willow, and ash can cause problems as well.
Common Allergens
Idaho has a variety of tree, grass, and weed pollens that cause allergy troubles for residents every year. Cottonwood and ragweed are among the most prevalent.
Common Symptoms
Idaho residents can expect the following allergy symptoms:
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Scratchy throat
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Hives
- Aggravated asthma symptoms
As always, reactions will vary from person to person, but in general, allergies will cause one or more of these symptoms to occur.
Allergens Around the State
People in different areas of Idaho will have different pollen allergies. Let’s take a look at some major areas of Idaho and the allergens you may find there.
Coeur d’Alene/Lewiston
Coeur d’Alene/Lewiston area allergies will begin in spring with walnut, willow, and maple tree pollen. Summer allergies are usually caused by ryegrass and bent, timothy, orchard, and fescue grasses. In fall, weed allergies take over, with ragweed, mustard, wormwood, and sagebrush.
Boise/Nampa
Spring tree allergies in the Boise and Nampa areas include willow, walnut, ash, mulberry, and maple. Next, summer grass allergies hit, with bluegrass and Bermuda, timothy, and orchard grasses. Finally, fall allergies will bring on the weeds, with ragweed, sagebrush, and orache.
Twin Falls/Pocatello/Idaho Falls/Yellowstone National Park
Willow, maple, and juniper tree allergies kick off spring in the Twin Falls/Pocatello/Idaho Falls/Yellowstone National Park areas. In summer, ryegrass and bent, timothy, and orchard grasses cause the most issues. When fall comes around, wormwood, sagebrush, and ragweed are the main contributors to allergies.
Testing and Diagnosis
Seasonal allergies can be incredibly difficult to self-diagnose. While you might be able to figure out that allergies are causing your symptoms, finding out which pollens are causing them can be hard. With Wyndly, allergy testing is easy and convenient. Just order our at-home allergy test, do a quick finger prick, and send it back to us for results. But your at-home allergy test today.
Here’s how different allergy testing methods work:
Old-Fashioned Method: Skin Prick Test at Your Doctor’s Office
Skin prick testing requires you to go to the doctor to find out 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 pain by getting an at-home test.
Modern and Efficient At-Home Method
- Order Wyndly’s at-home allergy test. We ship our CLIA-certified test straight to your door.
- Take the allergy test and send it back to us. Just do a quick finger prick to provide us with a blood sample and mail it back when you’re done.
- Receive your allergy profile. Our doctor will interpret your results, create an allergy profile, and walk you through a treatment plan.
Treatment and Remedies
Allergy symptoms can be miserable and affect your daily life. Fortunately, there are options to manage and even treat your symptoms. Let’s talk about some of these methods.
Limiting Exposure
One of the first things you should do to manage your allergy symptoms is to try limiting your exposure to your allergens. This can be difficult with airborne pollen, but any reduction in exposure is better than nothing.
Here are some options that may work for you:
- Check pollen counts: Check the pollen count before leaving the house for the day. If pollen levels are high, try to stay indoors as much as possible. Also, it’s a good idea to wear a dust mask, sunglasses, and hat when you do leave the house.
- Keep your house clean: Keep your home as clean as possible to get rid of pollen that gets in through the windows and vents or that gets tracked in by people and pets. Using a HEPA filter vacuum, dusting with a wet rag, and doing laundry frequently can make a big difference. Also, be sure to shower to get pollen off your skin and out of your hair after you’ve been outside.
- Run your A/C: Instead of opening the windows, run your A/C. It’s also a good idea to get a HEPA filter for your air system.
- Take shoes off: Make sure you don’t track pollen into the house by taking your shoes off when you come inside.
Medications
For many, limiting exposure won’t provide enough relief during the peaks of allergy season. In this case, you may want to try over-the-counter allergy medications. You can find antihistamines, nasal sprays, eye drops, and decongestants at most pharmacies that may help you reduce some of your symptoms temporarily.
Sublingual Immunotherapy
If you’re tired of just managing your symptoms, you should consider sublingual immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy treats your symptoms at the source by introducing small, incrementally increasing doses of your allergen to your immune system. This retrains your immune system to ignore these harmless substances instead of responding with an allergic reaction and allergy symptoms. Sublingual immunotherapy is easy and convenient as it can be taken at home.
Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly
When you’re ready to find lifelong allergy relief, Wyndly can help. After your allergy consultation, you can get a personalized allergy treatment plan that is designed to treat your Idaho allergies. With your treatment plan delivered right to your home, you can finally find the complete relief you're looking for.
Get your allergy consultation with Wyndly today.
Idaho Allergy FAQs
have questions about Idaho allergies? Here are some common questions and answers to help you out.
How long is Idaho’s allergy season?
Idaho allergy season is sometimes a little shorter than other allergy seasons, with the first frost often coming in late autumn.
Is allergy season bad in Idaho?
Allergy season can be bad during the peak seasons but is relatively typical otherwise. Boise, Idaho’s largest city, often ranks high among the best places for allergy sufferers.
Is Idaho a good state if you have allergies?
Idaho is a typical state for allergies, with parts of it being some of the best cities for allergy sufferers to live in.
When is Idaho allergy season?
The season lasts from early spring to late autumn or early winter.
What are the worst months?
The worst months are usually April for trees, June for grass, and September for weeds.
