A cold spring and wet summer can produce a ragweed season that wreaks havoc for many New Yorkers, says Anthony Del Signore, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology and Director of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery at Mount Sinai Downtown-Union Square.
Ragweed grows best in wet conditions, producing enough pollen to affect allergy sufferers when the weather turns warm and dry. Typically, the ragweed season begins in August, peaks in September, and can last until November. As summer winds down, and global temperatures continue to increase, pollen counts rise. Warmer temperatures in the autumn, which often persist well into the winter, present a host of issues for allergy sufferers as these conditions contribute to a lengthier ragweed season. The ragweed pollen grain is fine and light, allowing for easy dissemination by wind. Given its low weight, pollen has been known to remain airborne for many days and travel hundreds of miles. Elevated pollen counts are most visible on warm, windy days, and daytime hours when plants are in full bloom. Cool, rainy, wet days can provide some respite with low pollen counts.
Ragweed Allergy Symptoms Not everyone is a sufferer, but approximately 20 percent of the population can be sensitive to ragweed pollen. Symptoms include:
- Inflammation of the nasal cavity, nasal lining, and structures within the nose, leading to difficulty breathing, pressure, pain, and congestion
- Nasal drip
- Runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Scratchy throat
Some people can also experience difficulty breathing, asthma exacerbation, sinus infection, and cough. Ragweed allergies can also cross-react and cause itching, burning, and swelling in the mouth with certain foods, including bananas, melons, beans, potatoes, celery, and cucumbers.
Treatment for Ragweed Allergies
Treatment for ragweed allergies often begins with prevention and avoidance. Frequent household cleaning, changing linens, and washing bedding and clothes can minimize daily exposures. Nasal saline washes are extremely important to decrease pollen levels within the nasal cavity. Medications become an important part of surviving the season. Over-the-counter medications are often the first line of defense. Antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays are the most popular options. Staying ahead of the pollen levels is extremely important, so pre-treatment with antihistamines and nasal sprays may help. For those with persistent symptoms, prescription-strength oral medications and nasal sprays may be needed to control symptoms and provide relief. For those with an allergy verified through skin or blood testing, allergy shots or drops can be used to slowly help patients become immune to yearly symptoms.
When Allergy Sufferers Should See a Physician
Allergy sufferers should seek the care of a physician if symptoms persist for more than three months or the sufferer experiences;
- Worsening nasal obstruction
- Nasal bleeding
- Sinus infections
- Watery nose
- An increase in asthma An allergist and ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor can help provide relief.
Allergists can arrange for a testing of allergens, with either blood tests or skin-prick testing; provide advice on avoidance; and administer allergy shots. ENT doctors can help with persistent nasal obstruction, congestion that is not improving, or worsening symptoms by providing oral and nasal medications. More importantly, an ENT can help rule out structural abnormalities within the nasal cavity that may exacerbate symptoms.
Commonly seen issues include;
- Nasal polyps that block the nasal airway
- A deviated septum causing airway obstruction
- Inferior turbinate hypertrophy, which can decrease the amount of space available for air to pass through in the nose.
Allergy sufferers should be clear to ask their doctor the following important questions:
- What medications are best to control my symptoms?
- Are there structural issues within my nose that may be leading to more symptoms than usual?
- Is the source of my nasal drip allergies or should I be concerned about something more?
During allergy season, sufferers should track pollen counts in their geographic area. Pollen.com, both a website and mobile app, tracks pollen counts year-round. In addition, it can alert sufferers as to which seasonal allergens are most important in certain geographic areas. For information regarding allergy symptoms and treatments, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology is an excellent resource.
Anthony Del Signore, MD, PharmD
Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology and Director of Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery at Mount Sinai Downtown-Union Square
Dr. Del Signore’s specific clinical interests include endoscopic minimally invasive management of chronic sinusitis, paranasal sinus and skull base tumors, cerebrospinal fluid leaks (CSF), and allergic disease. His current research is focused on health outcomes following skull base surgery and the implementation of sinus treatment protocols and surgical intervention.