How to get through ragweed season

Ragweed is one of the most common plant allergens that bloom in the second half of summer and early autumn. Its pollen can cause significant symptoms of hay fever – from bouts of sneezing and nasal congestion to itchy, watery eyes and coughing. In people with bronchial asthma, exposure to pollen can also trigger a worsening of symptoms.

At the same time, completely avoiding ragweed is difficult: its pollen can be carried by the wind over considerable distances, and the concentration of pollen in the air depends on weather conditions. That is why it is more important to understand why symptoms are barely noticeable on some days, while on others they make it impossible to work, sleep, or spend time outdoors normally.

If you do not see ragweed near your home, this does not mean that its pollen cannot be causing your symptoms.

The amount of pollen in the air also changes throughout the day and depends on weather conditions. In dry, warm, and windy weather, pollen concentrations may be higher, while after rain they may temporarily decrease. This is why a person may notice a pattern: “I was fine yesterday, but today my nose is congested again.

Is it definitely ragweed?

From July through autumn, several plants bloom at the same time, and their pollen can cause hay fever. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine lists ragweed, wormwood, goosefoot, and other plants among them. Therefore, it is practically impossible to determine the specific allergen based on symptoms alone.

A typical picture of seasonal allergic rhinitis includes repeated sneezing, an itchy nose, watery nasal discharge, nasal congestion, and a reduced sense of smell. Itching, redness, and watery eyes are also common. Some people develop a dry cough or difficulty breathing.

And here is a simple clue! If your symptoms recur at approximately the same time each year, become more severe outdoors, and subside after the flowering season ends, seasonal allergies become much more likely.

But this still does not answer the main question: what exactly is the body reacting to? This requires an allergist consultation.

Why “I’ll take a pill when I feel bad” is not always the best strategy. Antihistamines can reduce allergy symptoms, but they do not eliminate the underlying cause – sensitization to the allergen.

If a person experiences the same set of symptoms every August and September and simply gets through this period with medication, it is worth addressing the allergy systematically. This is especially important if it causes:

• persistent nasal congestion;
• disturbed sleep;
• difficulty concentrating at work or while studying;
• constantly itchy and watery eyes;
• symptoms lasting for weeks;
• coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.

Allergic inflammation can affect not only the nose and eyes but also the lower airways.

Ragweed can also be associated with food reactions

People with pollen allergies may sometimes develop what is known as pollen-food syndrome – a cross-reaction between proteins in pollen and certain proteins found in plant-based foods. As a result, eating certain foods may cause itching or tingling of the lips, tongue, palate, or throat.

Important: this does not mean that everyone with a ragweed allergy needs to eliminate certain foods from their diet.

If a reaction occurs only to certain foods and is mainly manifested by itching in the mouth, it is worth discussing this with an allergist.

What you can do during ragweed season

It is practically impossible to avoid pollen completely, but you can significantly reduce your exposure to it. During periods of active pollination, it is advisable to:

• Change your clothes and wash your face after being outdoors. Pollen settles on your hair, skin, and clothing, so being back at home does not necessarily mean that exposure to the allergen has stopped.
• Do not dry clothes outdoors. Pollen particles can settle on the fabric.
• Shower and wash your hair after spending time outdoors, especially before going to bed.
• When traveling by car, use the air recirculation mode when appropriate to reduce the amount of outside air containing pollen entering the vehicle.
• Do not mow or clear weed growth yourself if you already know that you have a strong reaction to pollen. Disturbing the plants can sharply increase the amount of allergen in the surrounding area.

These measures help reduce exposure to pollen, but they do not replace treatment.

See an allergist if, during the flowering season, you:

• take allergy medication;
• cannot sleep normally because of nasal congestion;
• constantly use decongestant nasal drops;
• experience itchy, red, or watery eyes;
• cough or feel short of breath;
• notice reactions to certain foods;
• want to reduce allergy symptoms in the future.

During a consultation, an allergist assesses your symptoms, their seasonal pattern, and possible triggers. This helps identify sensitization to specific allergens.

You do not have to wait until next August to address the problem. After the season ends, you can undergo diagnostic testing, identify the causative allergens, and work with your doctor to plan treatment before the next season.

If this year you are once again dealing with nasal congestion, watery eyes, and endless sneezing, you do not necessarily have to simply wait for the ragweed to finish blooming. An allergist consultation can help determine which specific allergen is causing the reaction and choose an appropriate treatment strategy.