When is Ragweed Season?During ragweed season, the ragweed produces some one billion pollen grains in one season. Pollination for the ragweed begins in the late summer and last until the first freeze. This pollen producing plant uses the warmth, humidity and light breezes to aid its fertilization process. These pollen grains are so small and light weight that they can travel as far as 400 miles away from the plant that spawned them. Ragweed is a type of weed that commonly grows in the Midwest to Eastern states in America. They are normally found in rural areas. Their pollen count is highest shortly after dawn. Depending on the weather, the amount of pollen peaks in urban areas between 10 am and 3 pm. There are over forty one species of ragweed that grows worldwide, the most common include:
People who come in contact with these pollens during ragweed season and are allergic to them will encounter symptoms such as eye irritation, a runny nose, puffy eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, and an inflamed and itchy nose and throat. It is considered to be the greatest allergen of all pollen producing plants and the leading cause for hay fever. Ragweed belongs to a family called composites, the members of this family also spread their pollen by the wind and include weeds such as:
Although few of these fellows do spread their pollen through the insect process, most use the wind for the fertilization process. Those who use insects rarely affect those of us with allergies, as they do not move through the air. When is Ragweed Season?Depending on what area of North America you live in, ragweed season may vary slightly, but it generally runs from the middle of July through the middle of August or until cooler weather arrives. One of the biggest problems is that not only does ragweed produce so much pollen, but the plants will grow just about anywhere. You can find it growing along the sides and down the middle of the highway, in fields, gardens and lawns. Yet, ragweed prefers to grow in dry, sunny grassy plains, sandy soils, river banks, and abandoned fields.
What Can I Do about Ragweed Season?Although there is no cure for the ragweed allergy, you can take steps in preventing the pollen symptoms from taking over your daily life during ragweed season.
Keep grass cut low and all weeds trimmed from your yard during ragweed season. While you can clear your own yard of this irritating weed, you cannot remove the pollen from the air. Taking the necessary precautions to help minimize your exposure to ragweed pollen can help tremendously. Make sure to keep up to date with the pollen counts in your area. Every news station will offer pollen counts during their weather broadcast or you can check the pollen counts on your own by visiting; While you can help to keep the pollen out of your house, remember also that you may be carrying them into your home on your shoes, in your hair, on your clothes and bags. Therefore it would be a good idea to take a shower when you come in the house and/or change your clothes. This will wash the pollen that you are carrying down the drain away from your sinuses. Using an air purifier and your air conditioner can make a big difference in the pollen levels in your home. You should keep a close eye on the pollen count. When it is high, stay inside your home. Keep your car windows closed when driving, especially when the pollen count is high. You can buy HEPA filters for many of today's cars. If you can't find one for your car, there are portable air purifiers that you can use to keep the pollen out of the air in your car. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself during ragweed season is to take every possible step to limit your exposure to ragweed pollens. This will help to reduce or eliminate any ragweed pollen symptoms you will have to deal with during this season. If you have already tried taking medication for your allergies without success talk to your doctor about immunotherapy, which reduces the allergic response to specific allergen. This type of therapy may take several months or even years to take effect but once they do, you could actually see some major improvements. Wouldn’t it be nice to not even have to think about how bad the next ragweed season is going to be and just be able to be outside without the horrible symptoms of hay fever?
Go to the ragweed HOME PAGE from ragweed season. Related Topics Fall Allergies: See pictures of ragweed developing. |
