If you’ve experienced allergy symptoms even though it’s the middle of fall, you’re not alone. There’s even one cause that might stand out more than some of the other outliers: ragweed.

Knowing the Signs

Like many common allergens, ragweed can lead to sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes, in addition to triggering asthma flares. This is due to a reaction from the plant’s pollen releasing into the air.

Ragweed allergies can peak between August and October, but might even last a bit longer depending on the weather. The plants are most common in the Midwest and Eastern states but can still pop up everywhere else, including in the greater Atlanta area.

Other Common Allergens

In the Atlanta area, most other sources of pollen include hardwood trees, in addition to oaks, willows, pines, sycamores, beeches, grass and weeds.

Unfortunately, living in the South also means longer allergy seasons: people who live in areas with a shorter allergy season are only exposed to the first phase of pollen, called the “priming effect,” which typically causes runny nose and congestion. But in regions where the season is prolonged, we get the priming effect plus a second blast of pollen, leading to longer and more severe symptoms.

If you’re ready to seek treatment for your allergies or learn more about how we can help, call the experts at ENT of Georgia today.