For people susceptible to Ragweed allergy, the symptoms manifest as sneezing, watery, itchy eyes and a runny nose. Ragweed allergy is a seasonal allergy seen in the months of August, September and October. Later summer and early fall is the time for Ragweed pollen to grow and spread.
Ragweed is a weed plant that grows throughout the United states. It is a flowering plant that produces up to 1 billion pollen grains. It grows in less vegetation places like vacant areas and river banks. It survives for only for one season, but it can cause about 75% of the total pollen allergies. It is estimated that almost 75% of people who are allergic to plant pollen are allergic to Ragweed pollen.
Being lightweight, ragweed pollen can travel many kilometers from its source and permeate to the urban areas causing allergies.
Here are a few symptoms of Ragweed Allergies:
Initial Symptoms of Ragweed allergy include:
- Runny and stuffed nose
- Eye irritation
- Puffy eyes
- Inflamed, itchy nose
- Irritation in throat
It is accompanied by:
- Fever
- Headache
- Bodyaches
In severe cases the allergy manifests as:
- Sneezing
- Extreme irritation in eyes, nose and throat
- Chest tightness
- Severe coughing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty in breathing
- For people who are asthmatic, the allergy can give asthma attacks
- Some people also suffer from chronic sinusitis
- Some also suffer from insomnia or impaired sleep
Many of the symptoms coincide with those of severe cold attacks. But if these are experienced several times over the summer and autumn seasons then you should be pretty sure that they are of Ragweed allergy. You should consult a doctor immediately and get it treated with antihistamine tablets and immunotherapy injections.
