Mid-August typically marks the opening of ragweed season, with diminishing daylight and lengthening nighttime that can stimulate plant pollination. The season peaks in late August, and typically ends by mid-September.
Ragweed grows most commonly in the Eastern and Midwest US states, and it lives only one season. During its short life, ragweed can wreak havoc among those who are sensitive to it, with each plant producing up to a billion pollen grains. Its lightweight enables pollen grains to travel in the breeze up to 400 miles, creating a wide swath of suffering for the ragweed allergic.
Here’s the bad news. Ragweed allergies are on the increase* and climate change may be the culprit, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Recent studies suggest that as temperatures and carbon dioxide levels rise, longer ragweed seasons and more concentrated pollen counts follow.
But there’s good news too…help is available. Over-the-counter antihistamine and decongestant combinations, along with nasal sprays and eye drops, will relieve symptoms temporarily. The key is taking them early on before symptoms are at their worst. For ragweed sufferers who want a long-term solution, sublingual allergy drops can help “retrain” the immune system to tolerate ragweed, eventually eliminating symptoms and the need for long-term meds for many sufferers.
*Sources: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, La Crosse Tribune, Allergy Associates of La Crosse.
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