More than a quarter of adults in America suffer from seasonal allergies, according to the CDC, making seasonal allergies the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the country. Now that it’s late October, seasonal allergies are winding down, but one culprit lingers in the air, keeping allergy season alive for a couple of extra weeks: ragweed.
Ragweed is a wildflower native to North America, and it’s especially prominent in the eastern and midwestern United States. It grows aggressively, spreading fast and outcompeting many other plants, both native and invasive. It blooms in late summer and disperses its pollen from late summer to mid-fall. A single ragweed plant can produce a billion grains of pollen, and when you consider how prolifically it grows, that’s a lot of pollen!
How Can I Identify Ragweed?
Ragweed looks very similar to goldenrod—they’re both a part of the Asteraceae family—with spiky green or yellow flowers on tall stems. These stems are hairy and can grow up to five feet tall, but they are usually closer to three feet tall. The leaves resemble arugula, with rounded ends that emerge from the stem.
How Can I Tell If I Have a Ragweed Allergy?
Ragweed allergy symptoms typically resemble seasonal allergy symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Itchy nose
- Itchy eyes
- Itchy throat
- Red, watery eyes
Ragweed pollen is the part of the plant that triggers an allergic reaction in your body. It treats the pollen like a foreign invader and deploys the immune system to destroy the threat. It’s common to breathe in pollen, since it is dispersed in the wind, so the symptoms you see in ragweed allergies are often centralized in the nose and throat.
What Can I Do About Ragweed Allergy?
Over-the-counter allergy medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, will reduce your body’s reaction to the pollen and provide some relief from symptoms. It’s also a good idea to cover up your nose and mouth with a mask or scarf while outside to filter out allergens.
For longer-lasting relief, immunotherapy is a great option. This treatment builds up the immune system’s tolerance for an allergen, making it less likely to deploy its defenses in the future. Immunotherapy can be done in the form of oral drops or shots. Our team at ENT & Allergy Specialists – Ear Nose and Throat Physicians and Surgeons can help you find relief from allergies, ragweed or otherwise. Call us today to set up an appointment.