Special Precautions for Ragweed Season

An ominous sign for some allergy sufferers appears as the summer begins to wind down: Ragweed and sagebrush pollens begin to show up for the first time in daily pollen counts conducted by National Jewish Medical and Research Center. Those pollens are potent allergens for many people, causing them to suffer the itchy eyes, runny nose and sneezes of seasonal allergies or "hay fever."

Those people can expect their allergies to flare up for the months of August and September and possibly longer. Ragweed and sagebrush pollen levels generally peak along the front range of Colorado in mid- to late-August, remain high through September, and can persist until the first frost. It is impossible to predict how bad it will be or how long it will last.

"Ragweed season can make allergy sufferers miserable if they don't take precautions," said registered nurse and LUNG LINE associate Deb Fending. "But there are several simple measures that can significantly reduce your suffering."

• Start taking your medications early. Allergy medications work best if you take them before your immune system has revved up enough to make you miserable. Once the immune system is in high gear medications are less effective and take longer to relieve symptoms.
• Get out early. Weed pollens are at their highest levels around midday. Do your gardening and other outdoor activities during the morning.
• Get away. Escape the sagebrush and ragweed by taking a trip to the mountains.
• Close your windows, even at night. Although the weed pollens may peak during midday enough weed pollens continue floating in the air even during the night to plague allergy sufferers. Turn on the air conditioning instead.
• Wash your hands frequently. You can easily pick pollen up on your hands by touching door handles, running your hands through your hair or touching other outdoor surfaces. If you rub your eyes or nose with those pollen-covered hands, you can launch a full-blown allergy attack. Washing your hands reduces the chances that you will get pollen in your eyes or nose.
• Beware of melons and bananas. People who are allergic to ragweed commonly feel a tingling or burning in their mouths after eating cantaloupe, honeydew melon, watermelon, or bananas. These fruits may cause these symptoms year-round, but are even more likely to do so during ragweed season.

Click here to learn more about allergies to pollen.

For more information about ragweed and seasonal allergies, you can speak to a nurse by calling LUNG LINE at 1-800-222-LUNG (5864). Daily pollen counts are also available.

This information has been approved by Deb Fending, RN (January 2005).