If you’ve noticed a weird yellow dust coating your car, that’s your first clue: It’s oak pollen season in Texas, and it’s just getting started as this season will run through May.

On your daily walks, you may spot small, caterpillar-shaped structures on the ground — these are the male flowers of the oak tree, called catkins. As the wind blows, pollen from these catkins is carried through the air, hoping to reach female flowers on other oaks and ensure the next generation of trees.

So far this month, Central Texas has seen more wind than rain, which has only amplified the pollen in the air. Oak pollen counts for the season peaked earlier this week and are expected to remain high through the end of the week, according to AccuWeather.

Because it’s been a dry start to the year, oak leaves are especially dry, making pollen even more likely to be carried by the wind — and settle everywhere, including on us and in our nose.

If you are feeling the effects of allergies, here are some things you can do to lessen them: 

•    Start taking allergy medication at least two weeks before your allergen’s season is supposed to start. Keep taking your allergy medication throughout your allergen’s season, even on low-pollen days.
•    Vary your allergy medication. You can take a nasal spray, an eye drop and an oral antihistamine at the same time to treat the different symptoms. If one kind of allergy medication isn’t working, consult your doctor about whether you should add a second one or switch out the medication. 
•    Take a shower before going to bed.
•    Take off outside clothes or shoes when you get into the house.
•    Do a daily nasal wash such as a neti pot or saline spray.
•    Consider seeing an allergist to get drops or shots to lessen your reaction to the allergen. 

Consider these household tips to improve your chances of keeping allergens away:

•    Change the filters in your house regularly during cedar fever season.
•    Vacuum and sweep regularly. 
•    Change your sheets, especially your pillow regularly. 
•    Keep doors and windows closed.
•    Clean out the vents in your home.
•    Have your home tested for indoor allergens such as mold.
•    Wash and brush the animals in your house to lessen the amount of allergens in the air. 
•    Wear a mask outside or inside while you are trying to lessen the pollen or mold indoors.