Allergies can be caused by a lot of things that are present in nature. One of those things is ragweed. Allergies caused by ragweed can be very hard to deal with without going to an allergy center. Here is everything you need to know about treating ragweed allergy.

What Is Ragweed Allergy?

Ragweed allergy is an allergy similar to pollen allergy, but the difference is the type of allergen that causes severe allergic reactions. Ragweed allergy is caused by a thin and soft weed-like plant, which is very common in a lot of countries. Ragweed has pollen in it, which can spread to many places, via water and wind and this can lead to allergic reactions, allergies, and other problems with the immune system.

Ragweed allergy is common in people who have very compromised immune systems, so these people are the perfect target for allergens. Ragweed allergies are very common to occur during mid-summer months and the effects can linger till the early winter months. Ragweed is considered to be a very harmful substance for someone whose immune system can’t fight against foreign bodies like allergens and triggers and the symptoms can be severe in most cases.

Ragweed allergy affects a huge majority of the world population and that’s because of the fact that ragweed is present almost everywhere. These weeds can grow a lot in warm places, where there’s a lot of sunlight and they can be found in people’s backyards and hedges as well.

So, if you’re someone who is prone to developing allergies, then you need to steer clear of ragweed pollen because the reactions can be severe and you can really see the adverse effects of this allergy on your body.

Symptoms Of Ragweed Allergy

Now that you know what ragweed allergy is and how it’s caused, it’s important to take a look at the symptoms as well so that you can get a better idea and, therefore, treat it accordingly. If you don’t know the symptoms, then you can’t treat the allergy.

Itchy Eyes

Your eyes will be extremely itchy. If ragweed pollen gets in contact with your eyes, it can cause them to become watery, and they can also be very itchy and all you’ll want to do is rub your eyes. So, if you’re out and about and suddenly start feeling itchiness in the eyes and they’re getting watery and red, then it’s probably because of ragweed pollen.

If your eyes are itchy for too long, it can affect your vision, because everything will be super blurry and you won’t be able to focus on anything.

Congested Nose

Another very common symptom of ragweed allergy is a congested and blocked nose. A blocked nose is a symptom of many types of allergies, but with ragweed allergy, the congestion is going to be too much, kind of like pollen allergy.

You will have difficulty breathing through your nose, there will be a lot of mucus build-up in the walls of the nose and you might not be able to breathe through your nose altogether, and you’ll need to use your mouth to breathe in and out, which is a huge hassle.

Itchy Throat

Your throat can also be affected due to ragweed pollen. Your throat may feel very scratchy as if there are pins and needles in your throat and no matter how much you try to swallow or lubricate your throat, the feeling just won’t go away.

Sinus Pressure

Ragweed pollen can also lead to intense sinus pressure. If you’re feeling a lot of pressure and swelling around your nose, cheeks, and under your eyes, then it’s probably a sinus infection and the main culprit can be ragweed pollen.

Loss Of The Sense Of Taste And Smell

You might lose your sense of smell and taste for some time. This is a characteristic symptom of ragweed allergy. It usually goes away after some time, or when you’ve treated the majority of the symptoms.

Blueish-Gray Shadows Under Eyes

A particular symptom of ragweed allergy can be the appearance of bluish-gray shadows under the eyes. This is caused by inflammation on the face and cheeks, which can cut off the blood supply of the area underneath your eyes, which is why these shadows are formed.

Treatment For Ragweed Allergy

Before diving into the treatments of ragweed allergy, it’s important to diagnose it properly.

Diagnosis of a ragweed allergy is done through a skin prick test, where your skin will be pricked and the allergen will be exposed, in real-time, to your blood. The allergy doctor Germantown will monitor your symptoms and see what kinds of changes your body is going through. If ragweed is causing all of the typical symptoms, then the trigger is confirmed and a formal diagnosis is made.

It is important to go through tests for your allergies because you don’t want to start a treatment, which won’t alleviate the discomfort and symptoms of a specific type of allergy. These tests might take some time, but it will be worth it, in the end, because you’re going to get a proper treatment plan for it and you’ll soon get rid of the severe allergic reactions.

Here are some great treatment options for ragweed allergy.

OTC Medications

As far as over-the-counter medications are concerned, you can go for antihistamines to deal with the swelling. Antihistamines are going to make you feel instantly better and the swelling will be marginally decreased as well.

Nasal Sprays

For congestion in the nose, you can use decongestants and nasal sprays to help alleviate the discomfort. Decongestants are medicines that will break down the mucus in your nose and make breathing easier, while nasal sprays can really help with nose and throat issues.

Allergy Shots

Luckily, you can also go for allergy shots or immunotherapy for ragweed allergy. Allergy shots are basically a treatment in which a shot is administered to you, and this shot contains the allergen which is causing bad and severe allergic reactions to occur.

The main purpose of allergy shots is to strengthen your immune system naturally by slowly introducing the allergen into your bloodstream and forcing the immune system to develop antibodies against it. Over time, the immunity will be strengthened and you will no longer get severe allergic reactions when exposed to an allergen or trigger in the future.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can have a huge impact on your life, especially if you’re tired of dealing with allergies on a regular basis. Try to maintain good personal hygiene and keep your surroundings clean and tidy. You will see a world of difference in how your body feels, in general.

Another thing that you can do to prevent allergies in the future is to avoid the trigger. It’s actually pretty easy, once you know the type of allergen or trigger which is causing your symptoms to worsen. Try to wear a mask if you’re going outside and protect your eyes and face from the triggers. This is going to keep ragweed allergy at bay.

Conclusion

Ragweed allergy can be treated very easily by looking at the symptoms and then treating them accordingly. These allergies are treatable as long as you know how to take prompt action and go to an allergy specialist.

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