Follow Us
*Disclaimer: HeyAllergy® provides all clinical services furnished to patients in California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania. In New York, clinical services are furnished by Hey Allergy Medicine.
Real-time pollen data for Irving — updated daily.
Irving shares the North Texas tree pollen profile that makes the DFW Metroplex one of the most challenging regions in the country for allergy sufferers. Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) initiates the tree pollen season as early as December, with pollen drifting north from the Texas Hill Country on winter winds and causing the infamous 'cedar fever' — intense allergic reactions that mimic flu symptoms including congestion, fatigue, and headache. Cedar pollen concentrations in the DFW area can reach severe levels from December through February. Oak is the most prolific spring tree allergen in Irving, with live oak and red oak producing enormous quantities of pollen from February through April. Live oak catkins blanket cars, sidewalks, and outdoor surfaces with visible yellow-green pollen — a defining feature of spring in North Texas. Elm trees pollinate in late winter (January–March), overlapping with cedar season. Pecan trees are significant spring allergens throughout the DFW area, producing heavy pollen loads from March through May. Ash trees pollinate in early spring. Cottonwood trees along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and urban waterways produce both pollen and visible cotton-like seed dispersal. Hackberry, maple, and mulberry contribute additional urban tree pollen. Irving's Las Colinas development, with its extensive landscaped corporate campuses, parks, and the Mandalay Canal, adds significant urban tree pollen sources within a concentrated area.
Bermuda grass is the dominant lawn and landscape grass throughout Irving and the DFW Metroplex, producing substantial pollen from April through October. Bermuda grass pollen is fine, wind-dispersed, and produced in enormous quantities from residential yards, commercial landscapes, parks, school grounds, and the city's extensive green spaces including the Las Colinas Urban Center, Campion Trail along the Elm Fork, and city parks. Johnson grass grows aggressively along roadsides, highway medians (particularly along SH-114, SH-183, and I-635), and disturbed soil and produces heavy pollen loads from spring through fall. Ryegrass is commonly used for winter overseeding, extending grass pollen exposure into cooler months when Bermuda grass is dormant. Timothy grass, bluegrass, and fescue contribute additional pollen. The DFW Metroplex's warm growing season supports grass pollen production for approximately seven months — significantly longer than northern states. Irving's position between Dallas and Fort Worth means it receives grass pollen contributions from the vast suburban landscapes of both cities in addition to its own extensive green spaces.
Ragweed is the dominant fall weed allergen in North Texas and one of the most significant allergens in the entire DFW region. A single ragweed plant can produce up to one billion pollen grains per season, and ragweed pollen has been detected at distances exceeding 400 miles from its source. In the DFW area, ragweed season typically runs from late August through November, with peak concentrations in September and October. Pigweed (amaranth) is extremely common in disturbed soils, vacant lots, and construction margins throughout Irving and produces substantial fall pollen. Lamb's quarters, kochia, and marshelder contribute additional weed pollen. Sagebrush pollen can drift into the DFW area from western Texas. The extensive ongoing construction and development in Irving — including the Las Colinas Urban Center expansion, the SH-183 corridor redevelopment, and residential construction — creates continuous new disturbed soil that pioneer weed species like ragweed and pigweed colonize rapidly, maintaining weed pollen sources across the urban landscape.
Irving faces a respiratory challenge unique among DFW Metroplex cities: direct proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports and the second busiest in the United States by aircraft movements. DFW Airport sits partially within Irving's city limits along its northern boundary. Peer-reviewed research has consistently documented that the near-airport environment is a hotspot for ultrafine particulate matter (UFP), PM2.5, black carbon, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Ultrafine particles from jet engine emissions are smaller than those from ground transportation — often sub-100 nanometers — allowing them to penetrate deep into the lungs and cross into the bloodstream. Studies show elevated UFP concentrations extending kilometers downwind of major airports. According to the World Air Quality Report, Irving was the second most polluted city in Texas for PM2.5 in 2019, trailing only Longview and recording higher levels than Dallas itself. The DFW Metroplex also faces significant ozone pollution — the 2019 State of the Air report rated Dallas an 'F' for ozone, with 106 days exceeding 'good' AQI standards. Research shows urban pollution increases the severity of allergic reactions by damaging pollen grain surfaces, making them more fragile and prone to releasing sub-pollen particles. Indoor allergens including dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergen, and mold are year-round concerns, particularly during the extreme summer heat when homes are sealed and air-conditioned.
Severity: Moderate to High
Winter in Irving begins with mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen drifting north from the Texas Hill Country, typically starting in December and peaking in January. Cedar fever produces intense symptoms — severe congestion, headache, fatigue, and sore throat — that many sufferers mistake for flu. Elm trees begin pollinating in January, overlapping with cedar season. By February, early oak pollen emerges. The DFW Metroplex's relatively mild winters (average January high around 57°F) mean tree pollen can begin earlier than in northern states. Indoor allergens — dust mites, pet dander, mold from heating systems — are primary triggers as residents spend more time indoors. DFW Airport operations continue year-round, maintaining baseline UFP and PM2.5 levels for Irving residents near the airport boundary. Winter inversions can occasionally trap pollutants in the Metroplex, concentrating both emissions and biological allergens near ground level.
Severity: Severe
Spring is Irving's worst allergy season. Oak pollen explodes from March through April, producing some of the highest pollen concentrations of any season. Pecan, ash, cottonwood, and hackberry contribute overlapping tree pollen. By April, Bermuda grass begins producing pollen, creating a compounding effect where peak tree and emerging grass allergens overlap. This March through May window is consistently the most challenging period for respiratory symptoms in the DFW area. Spring storms can temporarily reduce pollen counts, but thunderstorm asthma events — where storms break pollen grains into smaller, more penetrating fragments — can actually worsen symptoms. Spring winds amplify pollen dispersal across the flat North Texas terrain, carrying allergens from agricultural areas, prairies, and surrounding suburban landscapes into Irving. The combination of peak biological pollen, urban ozone beginning to rise with warming temperatures, and airport emissions creates a multi-layered respiratory challenge.
Severity: Moderate to High
Summer brings extreme heat to Irving — average July highs around 96°F with frequent triple-digit days. Bermuda grass pollen peaks in June and remains elevated through August. Johnson grass continues producing pollen along highways and disturbed areas. The defining non-allergen respiratory challenge of DFW summers is ground-level ozone. Hot temperatures, intense sunlight, and vehicle emissions combine to create ozone levels that frequently exceed EPA standards. The DFW area received an 'F' grade for ozone pollution. Ozone inflames airways already sensitized by pollen, lowering the threshold at which biological allergens trigger symptoms. This explains why many DFW residents feel allergy symptoms year-round even when pollen counts are not at their peak — urban pollution amplifies the allergic response. Ragweed begins pollinating in late August, signaling the transition to fall. Indoor allergen exposure increases as residents maximize air conditioning time.
Severity: Moderate to High
Fall brings North Texas's worst weed pollen season. Ragweed peaks from September through October, producing enormous quantities of highly allergenic pollen. Pigweed, lamb's quarters, kochia, and marshelder add overlapping fall weed pollen. Bermuda grass continues producing pollen into October before going dormant. Mold spore counts can spike following fall rains. By November, weed pollen begins declining as temperatures drop, but the approach of cedar season in December means the transition to the next allergen cycle begins almost immediately. Ozone levels gradually decline from summer peaks as temperatures moderate, providing some relief from the combined pollution-allergen burden. Irving's ongoing development and construction maintain fresh disturbed soil that supports fall weed growth across the urban landscape.
DFW International Airport — the second busiest airport in the United States by aircraft movements and fourth busiest in the world — sits partially within Irving's city limits along the city's northern boundary. Research consistently shows that airports are hotspots for ultrafine particulate matter (UFP), with elevated concentrations extending kilometers downwind. Ultrafine particles from jet engine exhaust are smaller than typical ground transportation particles (often sub-100 nanometers), allowing them to penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially cross into the bloodstream. For Irving residents, particularly those living in northern neighborhoods near the airport boundary, SH-114 corridor, or under flight paths, airport-related particulate exposure adds a layer of respiratory irritation that compounds biological allergen effects. According to the World Air Quality Report, Irving was the second most polluted city in Texas for PM2.5 in 2019 — worse than Dallas itself. Run HEPA air purifiers in bedrooms, particularly if you live north of SH-183 or near major flight paths. Monitor air quality at airnow.gov. Limit outdoor exercise during high-traffic airport hours if you live in northern Irving.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has one of the most significant ozone pollution challenges of any major metro area in the United States. The 2019 State of the Air report rated DFW an 'F' for ozone pollution, documenting 106 days that exceeded 'good' air quality standards. Research shows that urban air pollution does not just add to the discomfort of allergies — it fundamentally changes how your body reacts to pollen. Air pollutants can damage pollen grain surfaces, making them more fragile and prone to rupturing into smaller sub-pollen particles that penetrate deeper into airways. Pollution also stimulates the immune system to produce stronger IgE-mediated responses to pollen, meaning the same amount of pollen triggers a more severe reaction in polluted air than it would in clean air. This is why many DFW residents report feeling allergy symptoms year-round, even during periods when pollen counts are moderate — the urban pollution environment amplifies the allergic response. On high-ozone days (check airnow.gov), limit outdoor activity especially during afternoon peak hours. Exercise indoors on days when AQI exceeds 100.
Mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen drifts into the DFW area from the Texas Hill Country every winter, typically from December through February with peak intensity in January. Cedar fever is notorious in Texas because its symptoms closely mimic influenza — severe nasal congestion, headache, fatigue, sore throat, and even low-grade fever — leading many people to assume they have a cold or flu rather than an allergic reaction. If you develop 'flu-like' symptoms every December or January that don't respond to cold medications but improve with antihistamines, cedar allergy is likely the cause. Cedar pollen can travel hundreds of miles on wind, so Irving receives significant concentrations despite being north of the primary cedar belt. Begin antihistamines or nasal corticosteroid sprays in late November before symptoms start for better prevention. If over-the-counter medications don't provide sufficient relief, immunotherapy targeting cedar and other specific allergens is the most effective long-term solution.
Irving's position at the geographic center of the DFW Metroplex — surrounded by Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Grand Prairie — means it sits within one of the most extensive urban heat islands in Texas. The urban heat island effect raises local temperatures several degrees above surrounding rural areas, which has direct implications for allergy sufferers: warmer temperatures extend growing seasons, causing trees and grasses to begin producing pollen earlier in spring and continue later in fall. The combination of urban heat and DFW's already warm subtropical climate means Irving residents experience a longer effective allergy season than rural North Texas communities. Additionally, the extensive impervious surfaces (highways, parking lots, commercial developments) surrounding Irving absorb and re-radiate heat, contributing to ozone formation. The Las Colinas Urban Center, while a beautifully landscaped development, contributes significant tree and grass pollen from its extensive green spaces, canal-side plantings, and corporate campus landscapes.
HeyAllergy offers telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas. Book a virtual consultation from home in Irving, have allergy blood tests ordered at a convenient local lab, and receive a personalized treatment plan based on your specific triggers. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building tolerance to the specific allergens driving your symptoms — whether mountain cedar, oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, dust mites, or pet dander. In a city where biological pollen, airport emissions, and urban ozone combine to create a complex respiratory environment, treating the underlying allergic sensitivity is the most effective path to lasting relief. Most patients notice improvement within 3 to 6 months. Starting at $47 per month.
March through May is typically the worst period, when peak oak, pecan, and elm pollen overlaps with surging Bermuda grass. December through February brings cedar fever from mountain cedar pollen drifting north from the Hill Country. September through October is peak ragweed season. Summer adds ozone pollution that amplifies allergic responses even at moderate pollen counts.
The most common allergens in the DFW area are mountain cedar (Ashe juniper), oak, elm, pecan, Bermuda grass, ragweed, pigweed, dust mites, cockroach allergen, mold, and pet dander. Mountain cedar and ragweed are responsible for the most intense seasonal symptoms in North Texas. A blood allergy test identifies your specific triggers.
Yes. DFW Airport sits partially within Irving's city limits and is the second busiest US airport by aircraft movements. Research documents elevated ultrafine particles, PM2.5, and black carbon near airports. Irving was ranked the second most polluted city in Texas for PM2.5 in 2019. Airport emissions compound biological allergen effects by inflaming airways and amplifying immune responses to pollen.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas. Book a virtual consultation from anywhere in the state, have allergy blood tests ordered at a local lab, and start a personalized treatment plan without visiting a clinic. No referral needed and no waitlist.
HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy uses customized liquid drops placed under your tongue daily. The drops contain precise doses of the specific allergens triggering your symptoms — whether cedar, oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, dust mites, or pet dander. Over time, your immune system builds tolerance, reducing allergic reactions and medication dependence. Most patients notice improvement within 3 to 6 months.
HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans, including United Healthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Oscar, and Tricare. Contact your insurance provider with Tax ID: 85-0834175 to confirm your specific telemedicine coverage.
Irving's position within the DFW Metroplex exposes you to North Texas's intense pollen calendar (cedar, oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed) compounded by DFW Airport's ultrafine particle emissions and the region's 'F'-rated ozone pollution. Research shows urban pollution amplifies allergic reactions by damaging pollen grains and stimulating stronger immune responses. This combination creates symptoms that can feel worse than pollen alone would cause.
HeyAllergy offers fast scheduling with no waitlist. Book a telemedicine appointment with a board-certified allergist and connect from home using your phone, tablet, or computer. Your allergist will order blood tests at a local lab and develop a treatment plan personalized to Irving's specific allergen and air quality challenges.
Irving, Texas — population approximately 255,000 — occupies a unique position at the geographic center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, bordered by Dallas to the east, Fort Worth and Arlington to the west, and DFW International Airport along its northern boundary. This central position within one of America's largest metropolitan areas, combined with direct proximity to one of the world's busiest airports, creates a respiratory environment that is more complex than that of any other city in the DFW region. Irving is not just experiencing North Texas's intense biological pollen calendar — it is simultaneously exposed to airport ultrafine particle emissions, DFW's documented ozone pollution problem, and the urban heat island effect of being surrounded by millions of people and acres of impervious surface. The result, documented in air quality data, is that Irving was ranked the second most polluted city in Texas for PM2.5 in 2019, recording higher particulate matter levels than Dallas itself.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the second busiest airport in the United States by aircraft movements and the fourth busiest in the world. The airport covers approximately 17,000 acres and sits partially within Irving's city limits along the city's northern boundary. The respiratory health implications of living near a major airport are well-documented in peer-reviewed research. A systematic review published in Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability found that the near-airport environment is consistently a hotspot for ultrafine particulate matter (UFP), PM2.5, black carbon, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Ultrafine particles from jet engine emissions are smaller than those from typical ground transportation — often sub-100 nanometers in diameter — allowing them to penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially cross into the bloodstream. Studies at Los Angeles International Airport documented average UFP counts of 50,000 particles per cubic centimeter at 500 meters downwind, compared to background levels of 580–3,800. While similar studies specific to DFW have not been as extensively published, the airport's scale — handling approximately 700,000 aircraft operations annually — makes it one of the largest airport emission sources in the country. For Irving residents, particularly those in northern neighborhoods near the airport boundary, along the SH-114 corridor, or under primary flight paths, airport-related particulate exposure represents a significant respiratory burden layered on top of biological allergens.
Irving experiences the same intense biological pollen calendar that defines allergy misery across the DFW Metroplex, but within an environment that research shows amplifies allergic reactions. The DFW area's pollen calendar is one of the most challenging in the United States, with overlapping seasons that produce near-continuous allergen exposure from December through November. Mountain cedar pollen drifts north from the Hill Country in winter, producing the infamous cedar fever that mimics influenza. Oak pollen explodes in spring, coating everything visible in yellow-green dust. Bermuda grass produces pollen from April through October. Ragweed dominates fall with one of the most allergenic pollens known to medicine. Research from IQAir and other sources has shown that urban air pollution fundamentally changes how the body responds to pollen. Pollutants can damage pollen grain surfaces, making them more fragile and prone to rupturing into smaller sub-pollen particles that penetrate deeper into airways. Air pollution stimulates the immune system to mount stronger IgE-mediated responses to pollen, effectively amplifying the allergic reaction beyond what the same pollen concentration would produce in clean air. This is why DFW residents — and Irving residents in particular, with their additional airport emission burden — often report allergy symptoms that feel disproportionately severe relative to pollen counts.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex faces one of the most significant ground-level ozone pollution challenges of any major metropolitan area in the United States. The American Lung Association's 2019 State of the Air report rated DFW an 'F' for ozone pollution, documenting 106 days that exceeded 'good' AQI standards during the reporting period. Approximately 70 percent of the DFW ozone problem is attributed to vehicles and mobile sources — cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment, and lawnmowers with internal combustion engines. Irving's position at the intersection of multiple major highways (SH-183, SH-114, I-635, Loop 12) and adjacent to DFW Airport means it sits at a convergence point for mobile emission sources. Ground-level ozone forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds react in sunlight and heat — conditions that the DFW summer provides in abundance. For allergy sufferers, ozone is not just an additional irritant — it is an amplifier that makes existing allergies worse by inflaming airways, increasing mucus production, and lowering the threshold at which pollen triggers symptoms.
The Las Colinas Urban Center in Irving is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the DFW Metroplex, featuring extensive corporate campuses, the Mandalay Canal Walk, Lake Carolyn, and acres of manicured landscaping. While Las Colinas is an architectural and landscaping achievement, its extensive green spaces are also significant pollen sources within a concentrated area. Corporate campuses feature mature oak, elm, and pecan trees. The Mandalay Canal and Lake Carolyn corridors support cottonwood, willow, and ornamental plantings. Bermuda grass lawns and athletic fields produce substantial grass pollen. The proximity of these concentrated green spaces to dense residential and office populations means pollen exposure for Las Colinas workers and residents can be particularly high during peak seasons. The Campion Trail along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River adds a riparian corridor with cottonwood, willow, and native vegetation that contributes additional pollen. These beautiful landscapes are worth enjoying — but residents should be aware that the allergen load is significant.
HeyAllergy's telemedicine platform connects Irving residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in Texas — providing expert allergy care from the comfort of home. A virtual consultation eliminates waiting rooms and scheduling delays common in the busy DFW healthcare market. Allergy blood tests are ordered at a convenient local lab, and a personalized treatment plan is developed based on your specific triggers. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building your immune system's tolerance to the specific allergens driving your symptoms — whether mountain cedar, oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, dust mites, or pet dander. In a city where biological pollen, airport ultrafine particles, and urban ozone combine to create one of the most complex respiratory environments in Texas, treating the underlying allergic sensitivity is the most effective path to lasting relief. HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans. Starting at $47 per month for HeyPak drops, with most patients noticing improvement within 3 to 6 months.
