Allergy to ragweed: signs, what to do, treatment

Ragweed allergy is a problem that can spoil a wonderful summer vacation. Let's look at the causes of ragweed allergy, how to diagnose it correctly and treat it.

Summer is not only the most desirable time of year, but also the most dangerous for allergy sufferers. Since summer is the period of flowering of many plants that cause allergic reactions - runny nose, headache, rash, fainting and other symptoms. Ragweed begins to bloom from the end of July and ends as soon as the cold weather comes. Ragweed is a weed, a tall grass, which is very difficult to fight. Each ragweed flower is capable of producing up to a billion grains of pollen, which are carried by the wind and can spread over distances of over 500 kilometers.

Allergists claim that ragweed pollen is the most aggressive allergen, which in addition to an allergic reaction can cause asthma. Many weeds and grasses are not capable of causing such an active and complex allergic reaction, which directly affects the mucous membrane and human skin.

It is impossible to insure against allergies, even a healthy person can "suffer" from them. It has been scientifically proven that if a healthy person breathes air with an abundant amount of pollen for two weeks, he will become an allergy sufferer. At the same time, it is simply impossible to cure such an allergy. It is the cause of the irreversible reaction of ragweed that causes allergy sufferers to move from the area that causes unpleasant allergy symptoms.

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Causes ragweed allergies

The causes of ragweed allergy begin to bother from the end of July until the first frosts. During the flowering period, ragweed begins to actively throw pollen into the air, which causes allergic reactions. Pollen is a light plant substance that is very quickly carried by the wind over long distances. It is interesting that residents of villages and towns suffer from ragweed allergy less often than city dwellers. This is because in cities, a highly allergenic complex is formed due to industrial and exhaust gases.

The causes of ragweed allergy are hidden in ambrosia acid, which is part of the pollen. This substance causes a severe allergic reaction and can cause asthma or hay fever. The most frightening fact is that an allergy can be caused by a couple of grains of pollen and cross-reactions with other types of plants, wormwood, string, coltsfoot, sunflower.

If a healthy person who does not suffer from allergies is not protected when harvesting ragweed, he or she will develop an allergy to ragweed the following year. An allergy to ragweed can cause bronchial asthma, which is very dangerous, especially if the allergy affects children. Please note that many people can also develop an allergy to ragweed through food products, such as milk.

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Symptoms ragweed allergies

As soon as ragweed pollen gets on the skin or mucous membrane, that is, penetrates our body, an allergic reaction immediately begins. Symptoms of ragweed allergy are similar to symptoms of allergies from other types of plants.

The main symptoms of ragweed allergy are:

• Redness of the eyes, conjunctivitis, lacrimation.
• Stuffy and runny nose, itching.
• Attacks of suffocation and sneezing, wheezing and a sore throat.
• Rash on the body and high temperature.

These are the most common symptoms of ragweed, but they manifest themselves differently. For example, severe skin rashes, which are accompanied by a depressed mood and severe irritability. In addition, severe headaches, poor sleep, or insomnia, loss of smell and taste, decreased concentration may be observed. All these symptoms may indicate an allergy to ragweed.

But, most often, people perceive the above symptoms as a common cold and try to treat it with various pills and cold syrups. And this is simply unacceptable in case of an allergic reaction to ragweed, as it can only worsen the situation. Antibiotics can lead to irreversible complications and even death.

Do not forget that as soon as frosts begin, the ragweed bloom period will end, which means the allergy will end. After a while, the symptoms will go away, and the allergy sufferer will have the opportunity to contact an allergy center to find out the causes of the allergy and undergo a course of treatment.

Diagnostics ragweed allergies

Diagnosis of ragweed allergy can be done both during the period of active flowering of the plant and immediately after the onset of cold weather and the death of ragweed. During the flowering season, ragweed causes many painful symptoms: itching, watery eyes, runny nose, suffocation, cough. Both adults and children can suffer from ragweed allergy. The only way to protect against allergy is to move, that is, change your place of residence, find a new place where ragweed does not bloom.

But even after moving, you will not get rid of the allergy to ragweed. Since the lungs and nasopharynx of an allergy sufferer contain a lot of pus from allergenic pollen. That is why, during the flowering period, allergy sufferers cough and sneeze, since the body tries to get rid of the allergen on its own. Please note that allergies accumulated over the years in the nasopharynx and lungs, sputum, rotten mucous cells and allergens can cause cancer or tuberculosis, that is, fatal diseases.

Diagnosis of ragweed allergy can also be done by studying long-term symptoms. Many people think that allergy is only a runny nose, itching and sneezing. But allergy affects the entire body. Let's look at long-term allergy symptoms that allow us to diagnose ragweed allergy:

• Headache and poor sleep.
• Irritability and decreased concentration.
• Loss of taste and smell, clogged ears and swollen lips.

Skin tests can be used to diagnose and treat ragweed allergy. Therefore, if you experience the first symptoms of an allergy, seek medical help immediately.

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Treatment ragweed allergies

Treatment of ragweed allergy should begin with a consultation with an allergist. Treatment of ragweed allergy should not be limited to visiting a specialist. It is necessary to protect yourself and your premises from allergenic ragweed pollen. If you live in your own home, make sure that there is no ragweed in your yard or in your neighbors' yard during the flowering period. Pay special attention to cleaning and living conditions.

• Perform wet cleaning in your home regularly.
• When ragweed is in full bloom, do not leave windows or vents open. Buy an air conditioner or fan for cooling.
• Avoid going outside early in the morning, as this is the period when there is a high concentration of pollen in the air.
• After being outside, wash your hands thoroughly, rinse your nose and take a shower. This will help get rid of pollen that has gotten onto your body and skin from the street.
• If you have pets, bathe them regularly, especially after walks outside.

Be sure to check your medicine cabinet. You should have antihistamines at home, which can relieve ragweed allergy in case of exacerbation. As for drug treatment of ragweed allergy, the above-mentioned antihistamines can help. Such drugs include xyzal, claritec, allegra, levocetirizine, zertek. Eye drops can help with itchy eyes and watery eyes. For example, aptivar, fumarate, patanol. As for a runny nose, drops can only be prescribed by an allergist, since all allergy medications contain steroids.

Allergy sufferers should know that many herbs and foods contain a large amount of protein, which is similar to the effect of pollen. That is, this can also provoke an allergic reaction, as with an allergy to ragweed. Also, when treating allergies, it is very important to follow a diet and adhere to basic hygiene rules.

Sometimes, folk remedies are used to treat ragweed allergies. For example, celery and honey juice, nettle leaf decoction, pine needle and rosehip tincture. As for diet during allergies, proper nutrition is very important. Fasting has also proven itself to be effective in successfully eliminating allergy symptoms.

Prevention

Prevention of ragweed allergy begins with protecting your home from pollen, as well as following hygiene rules and diet. Do wet cleaning regularly, do not leave windows open, and during the ragweed blooming period, use a window net that protects against pollen.

Also use anti-allergenic detergents and wear clothes made of natural fabrics. In addition, prevention of ragweed allergy requires taking a shower and washing your hair every evening during the allergen bloom period. As this will protect you from pollen getting into your bed. Install an air conditioner and an air purifier in the house. During the ragweed bloom period, it is better to give animals to friends or neighbors, as they can provoke and intensify attacks of allergic reaction to ragweed.

Ragweed allergy is a dangerous disease that is almost untreatable. It causes suffering throughout life, turning the flowering period of plants into real torture. Follow the above recommendations, this will partially protect you from ragweed allergy. Do not forget, as soon as the first signs of allergy make themselves known, you must immediately seek medical help. Only an allergist can cure ragweed allergy or at least alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

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