Advertisement It is among 41 species worldwide that grows most commonly in the United States in the Eastern states and the Midwest. A plant lives only one season.
Ragweed is nothing to sneeze at. It can cause a lot of misery because each plant produces up to 1 billion pollen grains. Due to the grains’ light weight, they can travel up to 400 miles with the breeze, leaving virtually no outdoor place ragweed-free.
Bad news: Ragweed allergies are getting worse, and global warming may be the culprit, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Recent studies suggest that increasing temperatures and carbon dioxide levels are already resulting in longer ragweed seasons and more concentrated pollen counts.
Relief is available. Good antihistamines and decongestant combination, along with nasal sprays and eye drops, are available over the counter, Fulford said.
Source: George Fulford of Allergy Associates and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
