Common ragweed is a plant known to trigger hay fever. As one of the most prolific pollen producers, ragweed can affect people even several kilometers away from the source. The high pollen levels are a leading cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis, which affects many people as summer turns to autumn.
If you suffer from hay fever symptoms in late summer or early fall when ragweed plants are flowering, it’s prudent to test for a common ragweed allergy.
Ragweed pollen is lightweight and easily inhaled, causing the immune system of allergic individuals to react and produce symptoms.
Staying indoors on windy, high-pollen days and using air conditioning with good filtration can reduce exposure. Antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids may also alleviate symptoms.