It’s common to associate the onset of fall with the close of allergy season, but don’t be fooled: this is when ragweed rears its head (or, pollen). Keep on top of your allergy management regimen if you have a pollen allergy, because symptoms aren’t going away just yet.
Identifying Ragweed
Ragweed is an annual wildflower native to North America that spreads prolifically. It looks quite similar to goldenrod, with spiky green or yellow flowers on hairy stems that reach between three and five feet tall. The leaves are deep green and have grooves or “teeth,” giving them a fern-like look. It’s a nice-looking flower, but it spreads aggressively, often chokes out native and invasive plants, to release billions of grains of pollen into the air.
Common Symptoms of Ragweed Allergy
It’s those grains of pollen that trigger symptoms for people with hay fever. Hay fever affects between 10% and 30% of adults worldwide, making it one of the most common chronic health conditions in the world. The symptoms of hay fever include:
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Itchy throat
If you have an allergy or sensitivity to pollen, ragweed will trigger symptoms like these. These symptoms may resemble a cold or the flu at first, but they’ll start almost instantaneously, unlike a virus, which comes on gradually.
Why This Season May Be Worse
Typically, ragweed starts blooming in August and continues to release pollen until the first frost, meaning ragweed season lasts almost all of fall. Due to climate change, this time may be extended even further. Studies suggest that warmer temperatures through the spring and summer encourage plants to start producing pollen earlier and extend the growing season for longer. Additionally, increased carbon dioxide levels enable ragweed to produce even more pollen.
How to Get Ahead of It
Treatment for ragweed allergies includes over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants and nasal steroid sprays. Make sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked and start taking a daily antihistamine, if you haven’t already.
If your symptoms do not respond to medications, you may consider allergy testing to confirm you are allergic to ragweed. Once this is verified, immunotherapy (subcutaneous allergy shots or sublingual allergy drops) may be an option for long-term control. If you have any questions about managing a ragweed allergy, or if you want to schedule an appointment for an allergy test, contact Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery today. We’re experts in combating ragweed allergies and are ready to help you prepare for this season.
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