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Ragweed Feature
 August 15 marks the beginning of ragweed season, and for the nearly 36 million Americans who are affected by seasonal allergic rhinitis, this means more than sneezing and itchy eyes. Symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, also called “hay fever”, seriously impact not just a person's quality of life, but also their ability to function well at school and work.
More than one third of allergy sufferers said allergic rhinitis decreases their work effectiveness. Eighty percent of patients with seasonal allergies experience sleep problems, which can lead to fatigue, loss of concentration and poor performance at school and work.
In the United States, the fall allergy season starts nearly the same time each year, from mid-August and lasts through November.
Ragweed plants will grow on virtually any undisturbed or manmade landscapes. Avoid areas where ragweed plants thrive, including ditches, vacant lots, roadsides, riverbanks and the edges of wooded areas. Remember to protect yourself indoors as well by keeping windows closed to prevent pollens from entering your home. Use air conditioning to cool and dry the air during hot weather and be sure to clean the filters regularly.
Almost no place in the United States is ragweed-free. Each ragweed plant produces one billion pollen grains per average season, and because they are small and light, can travel up to 400 miles. Changes in weather conditions affect the amount of pollen in the air. Rainy days may alleviate allergic symptoms because pollens become heavy with moisture and are flushed out of the air. Hot, dry and windy weather, on the other hand, signals heavy pollen distribution as particles dry out and are easily blown by the breeze.
Millions of people in the United States who suffer from allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis will look through itchy, watery, red eyes and suffer from a stuffy, runny nose.
Allergic conjunctivitis is one of the most common forms of ocular allergy and often
occurs in the fall. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of
the nose. It is caused by common outdoor allergens; usually harmless
substances that can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
 The National Allergy
Bureau can help allergy sufferers take the first step toward avoiding
exposure to the pollen and spores they are allergic to by reading the
pollen and spore counts in their area.
During this fall ragweed season, or any time you are suffering from
allergic symptoms, make sure to see your allergist/immunologist, who will
work with you to determine the treatment that’s best for you.
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