Allergies occur when a person experiences an abnormal reaction to a harmless substance such as pollen, dust or ragweed. An individual's immune system treats the harmless substance as a foreign invader. Once an individual experiences allergy symptoms it can be difficult to diagnose a specific allergen and determine a treatment plan.
Signs and Symptoms
Individuals with allergies may experience a range of nasal allergy symptoms which may last for several weeks. Common nasal allergies include nose congestion with chronic sneezing and nose itching. Some signs and symptoms appear at specific times such as ragweed allergies.
Ragweed Locations
Ragweed occurs in various regions in the United States and it prefers dry, sandy soils located on city parking lots. Abadoned properties tend to have ragweed and it grows in other locations such as local parks.
Ragweed and Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS)
Some individuals with ragweed allergies may experience symptoms of oral allergy syndrome (OAS) which is caused when an individual ingests specific fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits. Individuals may experience common OAS symptoms, including intense itching or swelling of the mouth or lips after digesting fresh vegetables and fruits.
Cantaloupe is a common food studied and found to cause OAS symptoms in individuals. Other foods include vegetables such as cucumbers and fruits such as bananas. Individuals can substitute food ingredients if OAS symptoms are experienced. For instance, substitute adding sliced bananas to a bowl of bran cereal with dried fruit such as prunes. Or, substitute canteloupe in a blended fruit smoothie with limes.
Preparing for Ragweed Season
- Learn about the pollen counts. By learning about the pollen amount in a specific area, individuals can make schedule adjustments. For instance, if the ragweed count will be high during the morning, individuals can ran errands during the afternoon.
- Keep windows shut and doors closed for better air quality. Some homes have spaces which allows unclean air to circulate within the home daily. Individuals can check any windows and doors for spaces where outside air can enter the home such as around window frames.
- Use air purifers for ragweed allergy symptoms. This allows individuals to limit exposure to outside pollen levels.
Ragweed allergies may appear during the summer months and can last until late fall. Individuals should be proactive with ragweed allergies by learning about ragweed, minimizing contact with ragweed locations and preparing for ragweed allergy season.
For further information: Fight Ragweed Allergies without Shots
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
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