Fall Allergy Season is Coming: Are You Ready For Ragweed?

• Follow pollen counts in your area. Limit outdoor exposure when ragweed counts remain high. Here is a site that provides pollen counts (click here).

• Keep your home windows closed and run your air conditioning, air purifier and dehumidifier in order to keep your indoor environment cool, dry and as clean as possible.

• If yard work cannot be avoided wear a dust mask and sun glasses. Rinse your nose out with a saline spray or solution immediately after coming back in. Ragweed may stick to your hair and clothing so remove your clothes and take a shower after the yard work.

• Try to avoid exposure to other allergy triggers (for example cats, dogs and mold spores) in order to reduce the impact of cumulative allergens. Multiple allergen exposure may amplify your nasal and eye symptoms.

Your summer doesn't have to end on a bad note because of ragweed allergy. If ragweed season continues to impact your quality of life see a board certified allergist. You may be a candidate for immunotherapy (allergy shots).