Ragweed

Ragweed is the single most significant cause of fall allergies in North America. A single ragweed plant can produce up to one billion pollen grains per season. The pollen is extremely lightweight and can travel up to 400 miles on wind currents. Ragweed pollen contains the allergen Amb a 1, which causes reactions in approximately 15-26% of the U.S. population.

If you're allergic to ragweed pollen, you may also react to:

• Bananas, melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew)
• Zucchini, cucumber, sunflower seeds
• Chamomile tea
• Echinacea supplements
• Mugwort (strong cross-reactivity)
• Other Asteraceae family plants

• Ragweed season has gotten longer due to climate change — it now extends 2-3 weeks later than it did 20 years ago.
• Peak pollen release is between 6-10am. This is the worst time to be outdoors during ragweed season.
• If you're ragweed-allergic and chamomile tea makes you feel worse, this is cross-reactivity — avoid it.
• Ragweed allergy is one of the most responsive to immunotherapy (allergy shots). Talk to your allergist.
• First frost kills ragweed plants, ending the season abruptly.