Wednesday, August 18, 1999
Dry summer unlikely to slow ragweed's effect
BY SUE MacDONALD
The Cincinnati Enquirer
If you know you're allergic to ragweed, you've probably been gearing up for the next few months.
If you're suddenly sneezing and wiping your nose and feeling all stuffed up, welcome to mid-August, the launch of another season of ragweed pollen floating through the air.
Whether this summer's drought or hot weather will have any effect on ragweed pollen isn't yet known, but allergy specialists say this much is certain: the middle of August means people allergic to ragweed will soon start feeling the effects.
“Weeds are pretty hardy, and that particular weed is pretty hardy, too,” says Dr. Jeffrey Raub, allergy specialist with Group Health Associates. “The warmer weather may actually bring it on a little sooner.”
Mold counts have remained fairly high throughout the summer, and people with mold allergies tend to experience asthma-like symptoms, including shortness of breath and wheezing.
But ragweed reactions can be somewhat more dramatic, he says, causing runny noses, itchy and watery eyes and sneezing as soon as ragweed pollen begins floating in the air, sometimes overnight.
“You don't need that much pollen to have a reaction,” Dr. Raub says. “Even in October, when there's almost no ragweed pollen grains left in the air, some people still experience symptoms.”
As plants mature, they release their tiny, spherically spiked pollen grains into the air, and dry days spread ragweed pollen around more.
As with other airborne allergies, the same precautions apply. Keep windows closed and air conditioning running. Close car windows while driving. Plan activities so you avoid days and times of high ragweed counts.
If symptoms are mild, over-the-counter products may be sufficient to treat the symptoms. But if ragweed's cold-like symptoms linger for a few weeks or more, it may be necessary to see an allergy specialist for other treatments.
Children who are allergic to ragweed also need to be monitored, because their symptoms can interfere with the start of school. They may have difficulty sleeping, breathing, participating in sports and physical activities, or paying attention because of the discomfort and fatigue caused by ragweed symptoms.
Dr. Raub says allergy researchers are currently looking at a new way of giving desensitizing allergy shots. The shots usually are administered weekly, biweekly or monthly — depending on each person's symptoms and severity.
Under study but probably not available for up to five years, is a way of giving shots over a shorter period, particularly helpful for people whose allergy symptoms are seasonal.
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