The unofficial start of ragweed season was Aug. 15.
Seventeen species of this inconspicuous weed grow throughout the US, but mostly on the East Coast and Midwest. Pollen from ragweed adversely affects 10 to 20 percent of the US population. It is estimated that 36 million Americans will suffer through the allergy symptoms of itchy, watering eyes, runny nose, sore throat, congestion, and problems sleeping over the course of the Fall season. If you are allergic to ragweed, you may also have an oral reaction (itchiness and mild swelling around the mouth) to some foods including bananas, cucumbers, zucchinis, and melons.
Ragweed season continues through mid-October. If you're suffering, I have a few tips to help. Learn them when you read more.
- Avoid areas where ragweed plants thrive, such as ditches, roadsides, riverbanks, vacant lots, and the edges of wooded areas.
- Keep windows closed during ragweed season in order to prevent pollen from getting into your home. Use air conditioning, which cools, cleans, and dries the air. The same goes for when you are driving; use the AC and keep your windows rolled up.
- Shower after you spend time outdoors to wash the pollen off.
- With the power of the Internet at your fingertips, be sure to check the National Allergy Bureau's reports on pollen counts in your area.
How's the pollen count in your area?
Source: Flickr User gmayfield10
La Perla
Mark Davis
Brian Atwood
I have a neti pot question. My husband has one that he says works great for clearing up his sinuses, but he's stopped using it because it gives him bloody noses. Is this common or is there some trick he can use? Because he said that if it weren't for the bloody noses, he would use the neti pot every day.
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