What is a Ragweed Allergy?
A ragweed allergy is an allergy to the pollen of the ragweed plant, a common weed found in areas with disturbed ground all over the world. Around 75% of people with pollen allergies are allergic to ragweed, illustrating the pervasiveness of this allergy. While the allergy cannot be cured, steps can be taken to reduce its impact on the patient’s life. Ragweed starts releasing its pollen in midsummer, when warmth and mild humidity stimulate the plant to do so. The pollen is designed to be airborne, with each plant producing over 1,000 grains. For people with allergies, the airborne nature of ragweed pollen is a serious problem, because it can spread across huge distances, often ending up in areas where no ragweed blooms. When people inhale the pollen grains, they experience congestion, wheezing, coughing, eczema, and watery eyes. Relatives of ragweed, including burweed marsh elder, mugwort, groundsel, eupatorium, rabbit brush, and sage, can also cause a ragweed allergy. Many people with
A ragweed allergy is an allergy to the pollen of the ragweed plant, a common weed found in areas with disturbed ground all over the world. Around 75% of people with pollen allergies are allergic to ragweed, illustrating the pervasiveness of this allergy. While the allergy cannot be cured, steps can be taken to reduce its impact on the patient’s life.
