Managing allergies during ragweed pollen season

Over 80 million Americans reported suffering from seasonal allergies in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 5 children in the U.S. alone. Ragweed pollen is a major cause of allergy symptoms in the fall. Severe allergies can significantly impact our quality of life. 

Ragweed pollen is a leading cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever. People who do not have seasonal allergies often think they are just a mild inconvenience. The truth is, people with allergies often find their symptoms embarrassing and misunderstood. In TV and movies, allergy and asthma sufferers are often bullied, and portrayed as weak and nerdy. It’s an unfair stereotype that leads to stigma. 

What is ragweed?

Ragweed grows in 49 states

Ragweed is, in fact, a weed that grows in 49 states. It is most abundant in the Eastern and Midwestern states. There are 17 different species of ragweed. For one season, ragweed flowers mature and release pollen into the air from late summer through early fall. 

Ragweed season peaks in mid-September

Ragweed pollen season begins in mid-August, and peaks in mid-September. The season continues through early November. Overnight frosts are needed to kill the plants and pollen. Unfortunately, allergy seasons have become longer and more severe over the last few years. This means your allergies may be worse this season. 

Ragweed pollen can travel hundreds of miles

It produces pollen grains that are small and lightweight. One ragweed plant can produce up to 1 billion pollen grains. Because the pollen grains are so light, they become airborne easily and can travel hundreds of miles. The small size of the grains allow them to get deep into your lungs, making breathing difficult and triggering asthma symptoms. 

Symptoms of a ragweed allergy

If you are allergic to ragweed pollen, you may experience typical hay fever symptoms such as a stuffy or runny nose, itchy throat, burning eyes, sneezing, and headache. Continued ragweed allergy symptoms can lead to interrupted sleep and brain fog. 

Can ragweed cause an asthma attack?

Yes! If you have a ragweed allergy and asthma, ragweed pollen can trigger mild to severe asthma symptoms. Asthma symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness. 

Does ragweed cause oral allergy syndrome?

When you are allergic to ragweed pollen, it is also possible to be allergic to certain foods. This is because your body thinks proteins in bananas, watermelon, cantaloupe, and sunflower seeds are actually the same protein in ragweed pollen. Even though the proteins are different, your body can react with a food allergy called oral allergy syndrome (OAS). Symptoms may include an itchy or tingly mouth. In rare cases, OAS can cause life-threatening allergic reaction anaphylaxis. Talk with your doctor if you have these allergy symptoms. 

Management and treatment

The first step in managing any seasonal allergy is to get an official diagnosis from a medical professional.

How is a ragweed allergy diagnosed?

Allergies can be diagnosed by a board certified allergist or asthma specialist. The physician will take a patient history of symptoms and perform allergy testing. Testing can be in the form of a skin or blood test. 

Skin testing is most common. During this test, your skin is pricked or scratched with different allergens, and your skin reaction is measured to determine your level of allergy. This normally requires the patient to stop taking allergy and/or asthma medications for several days before the test. The blood test is a simple blood draw, and does not require the patient to stop medications. 

What is the treatment for a ragweed pollen allergy?

Once the diagnosis is made, a management plan can be developed. A comprehensive management plan will probably include a combination of medications, alternative therapies and steps to prevent exposure. 

Medications

• For mild symptoms, over-the-counter medications may do the trick. Antihistamines will reduce your runny nose and eye irritation, but may make you drowsy. Choose non-drowsy options. Decongestants will help reduce the swelling in your nasal passages, but should only be taken for short periods of time. 
• Leukotriene inhibitors block the chemicals in the body that cause allergy symptoms. 
• For moderate to severe symptoms, a prescription for a corticosteroid nasal spray may help. When these steroids are used as a nasal spray, the medicine goes directly in the nose where it’s needed, avoiding the side effects associated with oral steroids. Corticosteroids reduce swelling, which will alleviate congestion and prevent future symptoms. 
• For severe allergy symptoms, immunotherapy may be needed. Also known as allergy shots, this works by desensitizing your body to the allergen, reducing or stopping symptoms. If you don’t like needles, this therapy is also available as drops put under your tongue, known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). 
• If you have asthma, take your asthma medications as directed by your doctor.

Non-pharmaceutical treatment options 

There are treatment options that you can try with or without medications. 

• Nasal rinse and saline spray. Using a saline solution in either a Neti pot or nasal rinse bottle can help clear your nasal cavities of allergens and congestion, making it easier to breathe. Remember to use distilled water with your Neti pot, and clean it well after each use. 
• Acupuncture. Many have turned to this ancient Chinese practice for help with many chronic conditions. However, there is no strong evidence it helps reduce allergies. 
• Supplements. Probiotics, butterbur, and Vitamin C have been shown to help with histamine levels. 
• Essential oils. The clinical evidence on how effective essential oils are in managing asthma is limited. Peppermint and eucalyptus oils may help, but this is not recommended if you have asthma or other conditions triggered by strong scents. 

Before starting any natural and alternative therapies for allergy symptoms, talk with your doctor. 

How to prevent ragweed pollen exposure

1. Track the pollen count. There are many ways to track the pollen count in your area. Check the. National Allergy Bureau, or Pollen.com.
2. Limit outdoor activities in the morning. Pollen counts are often highest in the morning and mid-day, lessening in the afternoon and evenings. If possible, schedule outdoor activities later in the day when the counts are lower. 
3. Wear Respiray Wear A+. This personal air purifier draws air into a HEPA filter you wear around your neck. It’s scientifically proven to remove allergens like pollen and mold, and gently releases clean, fresh air. This allows you to breathe fresh, filtered air wherever you are. This will work best when indoors, riding on transportation, or outdoors on non-windy days. 
4. Remove clothes and shower. If you have been outside on high pollen days, you have probably come in contact with ragweed. Remove your clothing immediately and take a shower and rinse/wash your hair before sitting on any furniture. Take your shoes off before entering the home, they will spread pollen.
5. Protect your car interior. When we see yellow pollen on the outside of the car, more than likely that pollen is getting inside of the car, too. Ride with the windows and sunroof closed, and use the recycled air function to keep pollen from entering through the air vents. Damp dust the dashboard and hard surfaces, and vacuum the floors and seats. Wear your Wear A+ while driving. 
6. Protect your indoor air at home. When possible, keep your windows. Replace your HVAC HEPA filters every 90 days. Use room air purifiers with HEPA filters when you can. Room air purifiers are slow and may not be large enough for the space, so using your Wearable A+ can help prevent symptoms. 
7. Vacuum and damp dust. Vacuum floors and upholstered furniture at least once a week with a HEPA filter vacuum. Dust once a week with a damp or microfiber cloth. Avoid sweeping and dry dusting, that will put the pollen back into the air. 

If you think you have an allergy to ragweed or allergic asthma, talk with your doctor about allergy testing and managing your symptoms. It’s not too late to treat ragweed allergies and breathe easier this fall.