If ragweed isn’t pollinating where you are, it soon will be. For most of the US and Canada, the infamous weed will pollinate between mid-August and the first frost.
Ragweed is a notorious allergen, perhaps because each ragweed plant will be responsible for about 1 billion grains of pollen per season. Wind means that even if this weed isn’t growing near you, its pollen could be on your doorstep. Wind can carry these pollen granules up to 400 miles.
As with most allergies, your best bet is to take action before symptoms show up. Here are 5 tips to help you weather ragweed:
- Start taking your preferred antihistamine now. Even if you don’t have symptoms, if you get your antihistamine in your system now, it will work better. If you have taken either nasal or inhaled steroids during previous seasons, get a fresh prescription from your doctor right away and get started. Because ragweed allergies often irritated delicate eye membranes, consider asking your physician for a prescription for allergy eye drops, or buy an over-the-counter antihistamine drop. Zaditor is one option.
- As for all allergies involving pollen, keep windows closed at home and in the car. Air conditioning is best to help keep pollen levels as low as possible. And be sure to change the cabin filters in your car as well as filters on your home air conditioning system.
- Give those pets a bath! You need to bathe your pet frequently even if you aren’t allergic to it. The reason is that your pet’s fur can trap pollen and bring it into the house.
- Move your daily shower from the morning to the evening. If you shower at night before bed you’ll make sure that you aren’t taking pollen into your sleeping environment. You can always wash your face and freshen up in the morning, and dampen hair to style it.
- Consider immunotherapy. Traditional immunotherapy means allergy shots, but new innovations may also mean sublingual drops generally available in the near future. Homeopathic versions of sublingual drops are available now, without prescription from a medical doctor (although a referral from a qualified homeopath will help you to find the right kind of drops for you).
Source: US News & World Report
