Common Ragweed

The scientific name for common ragweed is Ambrosia atemisiifolia and is found through out North America.

Common Ragweed is a rather offensive plant that has dark green leaves, with deep indentations with a long flower spike.

It grows to stand about 3 foot in height and is an invasive species of plants in America, European countries, and in Japan.

The only remarkable thing about this plant is that each leaf has an intricate pattern.

Although this plant may seem rather tranquil, it is the culprit for some thousands of people suffering from hay fever symptoms. It grows in every state except Alaska and can be found all over Canada as well. It blooms in late summer and early fall. Each plant is capable of releasing up to one billion pollen spores.

• Annual ragweed
• Bitterweed
• Blackweed
• Carrot weed
• Hay fever weed
• Tassel weed
• Wild tansy
• American wormwood
• Roman wormwood
• Stammerwort
• Stickweed

On the whole, there is nothing particularly special about this plant. It is the one at blame for a high number of ragweed allergy symptoms and illnesses.

About Common Ragweed

According to the latest research, both the common ragweed and its big brother the giant ragweed account for the largest percentage of all pollen allergies during the fall months.

Hay fever gets its name from the haying season at the end of summer, which is when most people tend to experience their allergy symptoms. However, this name has been universally applied to cover all allergy symptoms no matter what time of year they happen. For example, spring is considered to be a good time for "hay fever" as the trees are all in bloom spreading pollen everywhere.

With ragweed allergy symptoms you are likely to experience symptoms that are different from allergies from other pollinating plant. Just as with any other allergy, once you inhale the pollen your body's immune system will see the allergens as if they were a bacteria or perhaps a virus and attempt to remove them. If you actually make the mistake of touching the plant the symptoms are likely to occur much more quickly.

Chances are if you are allergic to any pollen, you are going to be allergic to ragweed pollen as it is the most allergenic of all pollens. Those who have an allergy to ragweed pollen are likely to exhibit similar symptoms when they eat fruits such as bananas and cantaloupe, drinking chamomile tea or eating sunflower seeds. Eating honey that contains pollen from the Compositae family of plants may cause some very severe symptoms.

Recognizing Ragweed Symptoms

While most symptoms of ragweed are well known, there may be a few that are less common. Here is a list of the most common symptoms, and a few you might not have known, associated with common ragweed:

• Repeated Sneezing episodes
• Excess Mucus Production
• Congestion
• Watery Eyes that also Itch
• Itchy and Runny Nose
• Dry Itchy Throat and Tongue
• Itchy Palate
• Constant Hacking Cough
• Post-Nasal Drip
• Itchy Ears

Preventative Measures for Symptoms

The obvious way to avoid having to deal with your ragweed allergy symptoms would be to lock yourself inside your home. Unfortunately, this is not the most practical solution. You can of course reduce the amount of time you spend in the great outdoors during high pollination hours and wear a mask when you do have to be outside.

You can protect your home and make it a safe haven that is as free of common ragweed pollen as possible. Avoiding the symptoms of ragweed is your best defense for living a happier, healthier lifestyle. There are several steps you can take to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of hay fever caused from common ragweed to improve your quality of life.

• Keep your windows shut and use your air conditioner.
• Use a room air purifier with a HEPA filter.
• Keep your furnace filters clean.
• If you have been outside, wash your hands before touching your eyes.
• Wipe down your pet to prevent them from bringing in pollen.
• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. This can prevent the pollen that has gotten indoors from becoming airborne again. Dust with a damp cloth before vacuuming.
• Don't hang clothes out to dry during ragweed allergy season. The pollen will stick to your clothes.
• Wash your hair before going to bed. This will prevent pollen from getting on your pillow and close to your nose.

If you are still suffering from common ragweed allergy symptoms, you will also find that your family doctor can provide you with antihistamines that will help to alleviate them. Make sure you take them before your pollen exposure. When you combine all of these measures together, you will be able to enjoy a relatively symptom free summer and fall.

Go to the ragweed HOME PAGE from the common ragweed.

Related Topics

Fall Allergies: See pictures of ragweed developing.

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