Fall is Ragweed Allergy Season
Hay Fever Symptoms Surface in August and Last Until the First Frost
Aug 13, 2009
Three-quarters of the people allergic to pollen-producing plants can blame their allergy on ragweed. This plant grows throughout the United States, primarily in rural areas of the eastern states and the Midwest. It tends to grow along roadways and creek or river beds, as well as in vacant lots and fields.
Seventeen types or species of ragweed grow in the U.S. Ragweed is an annual broad-leaf weed characterized by its inconspicuous greenish/yellow flowers and soft subdivided leaves. The average ragweed plant reaches one to six foot in height, although giant ragweed can grow to taller than 15 feet.
How Does Ragweed Pollen Become Airborne?
After mid-summer, the flowers on the plant mature and release upwards of one billion pollen grains into the air. Wind and humidity help move these featherlight grains of pollen, which can travel over 400 miles. Pollen counts are usually highest just after dawn near the plants. In urban areas, where the pollen has traveled through the air, peak pollen counts are usually seen between 10 am and 4 pm.
The pollen will continue to cause allergy symptoms until the plant dies off, typically after the first frost late in the fall. The plant only lives for one season, but the seeds travel through the air and new plants begin to grow the following spring.
Symptoms of Hay Fever
An allergy to ragweed can have a major impact on a person's quality of life, including their ability to function well at school or work. When people who are allergic to ragweed pollen inhale its allergens from air, the common hay fever (also called allergic rhinitis) symptoms develop. These symptoms include:
- eye irritation
- runny nose
- stuffy nose
- puffy eyes
- sneezing
- itchy nose
- itchy throat.
Asthma symptoms may be made worse during the ragweed pollen season. For those with severe allergies, asthma attacks, chronic sinusitis, headaches and impaired sleep may be expected.
Oral Allergy Syndrome and Ragweed Allergy
People with ragweed allergy may also develop a sort of cross-sensitivity to both ragweed pollen and certain types of food, such as melon, bananas, cucumbers and chamomile tea. There may be an itchy, tingly feeling in the mouth when eating these foods during peak ragweed season. In severe cases, this can lead to anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction), so those experiencing oral allergy symptoms should speak to their doctor.
Test for Ragweed Allergy
Perhaps the best test to determine a ragweed allergy is to pay attention to symptoms. A child who always seems to have a cold as school gets underway or during fall sports, may have a ragweed allergy. An adult who notices itchy eyes and a runny nose every year during the late summer and early fall should consider allergies as the culprit.
An allergist can diagnose a ragweed allergy through a painless skin sensitivity test. The skin is scratched or pricked with an extract of ragweed pollen. In sensitive people, the site will turn red, swollen and itchy.
Living With a Ragweed Allergy Diagnosis
There is no cure for a ragweed allergy. The best solution is to avoid contact with the pollen, but due to the way the pollen travels, that may be impossible. Try these tips to decrease exposure to ragweed:
- Check Pollen.com to find the pollen count in your region of the country.
- Stay indoors in air conditioning with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter attachment when the pollen count is high. This will remove pollen from the indoor air.
- Keep windows closed.
- Take a shower after spending time outside as pollen can collect on hair and skin.
- Don't hang sheets or clothing outside to dry. Pollen can collect on them.
- Plan a trip away during late summer or early fall if possible. Travel west of the Rocky Mountains for less exposure to ragweed.
- Try over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine medications.
- Talk to your doctor about nose sprays or eye drops to treat symptoms.
- Consider immunotherapy ("allergy shots").
- Monitor asthma symptoms during this season. A change in medication may be necessary.
Don't needlessly suffer every fall. Be aware of allergy symptoms and seek treatment to enjoy better health.
 |
