Prolonged Ragweed Season Has Allergy Alert On High, Health Officials Say
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Feeling like you might have a cold? Maybe not. Welcome to ragweed season, and the allergy alert is high.
About 23 million Americans have ragweed allergies. The sniffles that come with allergies are also symptoms of a cold. Scientists say there are a few key differences.
The Philadelphia skyline is clear from the Art Museum steps. It's what you can't see -- ragweed pollen in the air -- that's triggering allergy symptoms.
Those symptoms -- congestion and sneezing -- can also be signs of a cold. Itching is a often a telltale sign of allergies.
"Because of the way allergy cells work when they're activated, they secrete itchy chemicals, so that's one way -- sort of a rule of thumb allergy is present, as opposed to a viral infection or a cold is how itchy are you?" Dr. Alice Hoyt, with the Cleveland Clinic, said.
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In addition to feeling itchy, ragweed allergies also cause watery eyes and symptoms can last for a long time. Colds usually last one to two weeks.
Ragweed season generally lasts from mid-August until the first frost.
Over-the-counter allergy products can often help relieve symptoms. A sterile saline spray is helpful for rinsing pollen and mucus out of the nose.
Also over-the-counter nasal steroid sprays can reduce allergic inflammation and there are medications formulated specifically for allergies.
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"An over-the-counter antihistamine and we recommend the newer antihistamines because they're less sedating than some of our older antihistamines," Hoyt said.
With people outside enjoying a beautiful day on Kelly Drive, scientists say ragweed has become excessive mainly because of extreme weather -- high temperatures and heavy rain -- that creates the perfect environment for ragweed.
As a result, the allergy season becomes longer and more brutal.
For people with severe allergies, allergy shots and immunotherapy tablets can provide more long-term ragweed relief.
