Ragweed allergies affect many people and cost much money. It is estimated that around thirty-six million Americans have ragweed allergies (1), and according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), ragweed allergies cost more than $3 billion in time off of work, medications and doctor visits (2).

Ragweed season is mid-August until the frost kills the plants. With it affecting so many people, there are a lot of questions about this allergy.

What Makes the Ragweed Plant so Potent?

One plant in one season can release one billion pollen grains. Not only that, these pollen grains are so light they have been known to travel over four hundred miles.

Another unique feature of ragweed is that it grows anywhere-alongside roads, in ditches, in vacant lots, alongside riverbeds, and many other places. There are few places in the U.S. that do not have ragweed.

What are Ragweed Allergy Symptoms?

The symptoms are commonly known as hay fever. These would include sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes. Many ragweed allergy sufferers also experience difficulty sleeping. Severe allergies can cause asthma attacks, chronic sinus problems and headaches.

How Can I Protect Myself from Ragweed Allergies?

There is no cure for ragweed allergies, but people can minimize exposure to ragweed. Staying inside in air conditioning is the best place to be. Those sensitive to ragweed should also watch the news for the pollen count. If it is high, they should be inside. If a person’s ragweed allergies are very bad, another possibility is moving to the Rockies or west of them as ragweed is not as prevalent there.

What if I have to be Outside-is there Anything that Can Help?

Antihistamines keep the body’s histamines from attacking foreign substances like pollen. They can be very helpful, but most of them make people drowsy. Doctors can prescribe medicines or nose sprays that can be very effective. Allergy sufferers should shower every day after being outside as pollen can be on hair and skin.

If the allergy sufferer needs to travel, they need to do so with the air conditioning on and the windows closed. Doctors also recommend that people start taking any allergy medication about two weeks before ragweed season begins to get maximum effectiveness. In addition, patients should continue taking the medications about two weeks after ragweed season is over to protect against hyper-sensitive nasal response.

What if Over-the-Counter Medications are not Enough?

If over-the-counter medications are not adequate in providing relief from symptoms for the allergy sufferer, he may need to consult an allergist/immunologist. The allergist/immunologist would probably consider immunotherapy treatments, otherwise known as allergy shots. For the allergy shots to work, the patients would be getting allergens injected over a period of time, even several years. Many severe allergy sufferers find this method to bring great relief. There are also natural remedies available that can really help an allergy sufferer’s quality of life.

References:
(1) http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/Press_releases/2005/08_30b_05.html
(2) http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/0807/