Ragweed Allergy: Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnosis

Late summer is the time when a runny nose, itchy eyes, and a cough return without a cold. One of the common causes of such a seasonal scenario is ragweed pollen. Below is what is known about the reaction to this plant, how to distinguish it from a cold, and which tests help settle the question.

Why ragweed causes allergies

Common ragweed is an annual herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family, an introduced species and a dangerous quarantine weed. In the Black Sea region and the Volga region it grows in focal-continuous patterns, with isolated foci occurring further north. The pollen of this plant causes allergic diseases in people — pollinosis.

The mechanism is the same as with any pollen allergy: small pollen grains land on the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, eyes, and throat, and the body reacts to them as to a foreign substance. The plant reproduces only by seeds: one specimen produces up to 80–150 thousand seeds, and secondary seed dormancy lasts 5–40 years or more.

When ragweed blooms and how long the reaction season lasts

The ragweed flowering period is July–October, and the fruits begin to ripen from August. Symptoms of pollen allergy are usually worse in warm, humid, and windy weather, when there is the most pollen in the air.

Another clue is duration. Pollinosis lasts for weeks or months, while an ordinary cold usually resolves within 1–2 weeks. If a "cold" comes every late summer and lasts for weeks, this is a reason to discuss seasonal allergy with a doctor.

Symptoms of ragweed allergy

The signs of pollen allergy are familiar to many:

• sneezing and coughing, often with a stuffy or runny nose;
• itching and redness of the eyes, tearing;
• itching in the throat, nose, ears, and mouth;
• postnasal drip;
• headache and pain on the sides of the head and in the forehead area, loss of smell, fatigue, dark circles under the eyes.

Signs of ragweed allergy in children

Seasonal allergy in children may manifest with the same signs as in adults: sneezing, runny nose, itching and redness of the eyes, cough, dark circles under the eyes.

How ragweed allergy is diagnosed

A doctor can make a diagnosis of seasonal allergy based on an examination and a description of the symptoms: when they appear and how long they last. Sometimes skin tests or a blood test for allergens are used — they show what exactly the body is reacting to.

Separately, the doctor rules out other causes of a runny nose and cough: similar symptoms occur with a cold and other conditions.

When to see a doctor

A reason to make an appointment with a doctor is symptoms that worsen and symptoms that do not ease after the prescribed treatment. The doctor may suggest additional testing or treatment. If other methods have not helped, the doctor may discuss treatment that gradually reduces sensitivity to pollen: it is usually started several months before the season.

Seasonal rhinitis is easily confused with a cold, so self-diagnosis via the internet is a poor helper.

Ragweed allergy by itself is not a reason to call an ambulance. The numbers 103 and 112 are for life-threatening conditions; if you are unsure whether an ambulance is needed, call and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

This material is for reference: it helps you recognize your symptoms but does not replace a doctor's consultation — seasonal allergy is best discussed with a specialist.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer