5 Things You May Not Know About Ragweed Pollen Allergy

Overview

Allergies can cause a great deal of discomfort in our daily activities at home or work. If you’re not prone to allergies, just be cautious as it occurs most often in summer, especially ragweed pollen allergy. Some things about ragweed allergies are still unknown to people. Here are some facts about ragweed pollen allergy that you should know about:

1. Ragweed plants mostly grow in spacious lands.

You may ask why ragweed plants are found mainly in abandoned areas, both on wet or dry soils. It is also found in grasslands where annual, biennial, or perennial plants grow. The seeds of ragweed are found deeper beneath the underground. Due to this, eradicating its kind manually is not possible. Ragweed pollen allergy is certain to occur in areas which have strong plant varieties.

2. Ragweed Allergy Season may extend for at least 3-4 months.

Well, this could be more complicated for people with ragweed pollen allergies. It starts in late August and ends in mid-October. However, it can extend up until November. Warm-climate regions in the United States are associated with greater levels of carbon dioxide. 

In addition, Climate Central also states that climate change also means that allergy seasons could be prolonged. There will be high pollen counts in the affected areas, causing ragweed to produce allergenic pollen. 

3. The country with no ragweed plant — Alaska.

Living in Alaska reduces your risk of having a ragweed pollen allergy. It is the state with no ragweed pollen count and is safe from seasonal allergies. Ragweed plants grow in 49 states including Texas, as well. In contrast, ragweed has just been reported rarely from Hawaii. The cases of ragweed allergies are highest in the Midwest and northeast because that’s where it grows most prolifically. Here are the top states with the highest rate of ragweed pollen allergies:

• North Carolina
• Illinois
• Ohio
• Louisiana
• Rhode Island

4. Ragweed Pollen Allergies can cause more symptoms.

Ragweed allergies can cause more than just common allergy symptoms. It is unknown why this happens unless there are severe reactions to ragweed. On the contrary, allergies themselves have a wide variety of irritating symptoms. It ranges from the digestive system to mental conditions. Some of these distressing symptoms are:

• Upset stomachs
• Fatigue
• Being sleepy
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite 

These symptoms can be prevented by taking prescribed medications.

5. Immunotherapy may be the best treatment.

Your immune system defends the body against diseases and infections. However, it recognizes ragweed pollens the wrong way. Immunotherapy can treat allergy symptoms even without having allergy shots. It is highly effective in preventing allergy and asthma attacks. Moreover, the following medications can help with your allergic reactions: 

• Antihistamine medications such as Actifee and Claritin-D

     Antihistamines work greatly by reducing your sneezing and irritated eyes.

• Oxymetazoline (Afrin nasal spray) 

     It can ease congestion due to allergies.

• Corticosteroids 

     They can help soothe your nose’s inflammation.

• Decongestants

      Using them helps you feel less stuffy and swollen.

• Anti-leukotriene

These drugs stop your body from releasing chemicals when you’re allergic to something. Some over-the-counter medicines may be ineffective. However, you can always schedule an appointment with an allergist.  Early diagnosis helps better manage ragweed pollen allergy symptoms. 

BVAllergy Can Help

We understand how challenging it is to cope with ragweed pollen allergies. Don’t worry about it too much. It can still be treated with the help of an allergist.

Paul Jantzi has spent more than 13 years serving the south-central Texas region as an allergist. He is board-certified in allergy and immunology with prior specialty training in pediatrics and internal medicine. Schedule a meeting with him to learn more about immunotherapy and how it can help with your allergy symptoms.