Understand Ragweed Allergy Symptoms and Treatment

Ragweed allergy symptoms are among the most painful of all seasonal allergies. They are the last blow that hay fever inflicts on sufferers of seasonal allergies just before the winter months bring relief from pollen allergies.

For those who also suffer from spring or summer allergies, ragweed allergy season will be much harder on you than others. The pollen from ragweed is far more potent than the pollen that comes from trees in the spring, and from grasses in the summer. Its light weight allows it to be carried for hundreds of miles, while its high reactivity means that only a few grains per cubic meter of air can cause a dreadful reaction.

However, if you are looking to treat your ragweed allergy symptoms, it is first recommended that you understand them thoroughly. There are many similarities between ragweed allergies and a common cold. Knowing the difference is the key to determining the proper treatment techniques.

Common Symptoms

• Itchy Eyes


• Stuffy Nose or Runny Nose


• Sneezing


• Headache


• Skin Itchiness

More Severe Symptoms

Ragweed allergies can lead to many more symptoms than just itchy eyes and runny noses. If ignored for too long, they can result in a number of more serious symptoms such as:

• Difficulty Breathing


• Wheezing


• Skin Rashes


• Cramps or Abdominal Pain


• Vomiting or General Nausea


• Confusion

Many of these more severe symptoms can indicate that you are at risk of anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening reaction that causes difficulty breathing due to restricted airways. You should see a doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms, or consider a rush to the emergency room if you have difficulty breathing.

Diagnosing Ragweed Allergies

Many people often confuse ragweed allergies with other health problems such as colds or even chemical sensitivity. Colds are notorious for producing the same symptoms including stuffy noses, sneezing, or headaches. Chemical sensitivities can lead to rashes, itchy eyes, or irritation that is mistaken for allergies.

If you suspect that you may have an allergy to ragweed, it would be a good idea to visit an allergist. There are a number of different tests that allergists can perform in order to identify what allergens are causing your problems. If you don't particularly care to visit an allergist, you can identify the cause of your symptoms in other ways. This includes understanding the symptoms, and looking at common resources like local pollen counts. By understanding when your symptoms are occurring, and what allergens are present in the air at that time, you can pinpoint the likely cause.

Treatment

Treatment of ragweed allergy is the same as treating any other seasonal allergy. This is because they are all caused by pollen. Avoidance is the recommended method of dealing with pollen allergies. Staying indoors during peak pollination hours, using avoidance techniques, or even running an air purifier are all great ways to reduce your exposure to ragweed pollen. See our Hay Fever Treatment site of a number of potential ways to avoid allergens or check out our site on Hay Fever for more information.