Allergies to pollen and ragweed are quite common. Pollen is the powdery grains released by almost all plants to fertilize flowers and create seeds. People can be allergic to almost any plant, but ragweed causes the most problems. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation estimates that between 10 to 20 percent of Americans will experience the telltale symptoms of ragweed allergies, or hay fever, each year.
Identification
Pollen allergies can be identified by itchy eyes, runny nose with clear discharge and sometimes a slight cough. They almost always occur at the same time every year and stop in a few weeks, usually when the plant one is allergic to finishes blooming. The physical symptoms of a general pollen allergy or a ragweed allergy are the same. Among people with pollen allergies, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation estimates that 75 percent are also allergic to ragweed. People who have pollen and ragweed allergies may also experience mild symptoms when eating bananas or cantaloupe, or extreme allergic reactions when eating sunflower seeds or honey, both of which can contain pollens that trigger an allergic reaction.
Time Frame
Symptoms usually appear at almost the exact same time each year and coincide with the time of year when a particular plant blooms. With ragweed allergies or hay fever, the telltale signs of an allergic reaction begin in the late summer, when the ragweed plants bloom. During the long summer days, ragweed flowers mature and release pollen. Ragweed pollen production stops when the plants are killed by frost in the fall.
Considerations
Symptoms of ragweed and pollen allergies can be managed by taking over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications called antihistamines or histamine blockers. During an allergic reaction to pollen or ragweed, the body mistakes the pollen as an invader, and the immune system responds as if a virus or bacteria has invaded the body. Histamine, a chemical produced during an allergic reaction, is released, causing symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Drugs called histamine blockers and other drugs that treat the symptoms of an allergy can reduce the unpleasant effects. Doctors can also test for certain allergies and create special injections to reduce allergic reactions.
Prevention/Solution
Although pollen and ragweed allergies cannot be prevented, there are steps sufferers can take to minimize symptoms. For general pollen or ragweed allergies, keep windows closed during peak pollen season and use an air conditioner instead, which filters pollen out of the air. Avoid outdoor activities during the daytime or on windy days when pollen counts are high. Take shoes off before entering the house, since pollen can stick to shoes and be carried indoors.
Geography
Ragweed grows throughout the United States but is most common in the Eastern and Midwestern portion of the country. Ragweed thrives in roadside areas, ditches, empty lots, swampy areas or near streams, but is easily crowded out by other plants, including plain turf grass. Pollen counts in general are higher in rural and suburban areas, but wind can blow pollen several hundred miles away from the source, so it's almost impossible to get away from pollen and ragweed sources entirely.
