Allergies : Ragweed season – greatest allergy threats, by month – Brief Article
The year’s biggest blowout did not occur at Pebble Beach in June–it takes place in September, as ragweed season peaks and millions of golfers reach for their hankies. Ragweed affects 85 percent of the nation’s 70 million allergy sufferers. Experts at the American College of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology predict a “very, very bad” ragweed season this year.
To minimize damage, Dr. Ira Finegold, chief of allergy at St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital in New York, advises you to first check with an allergist to find out exactly what you’re allergic to. If it’s ragweed, begin taking your allergy medications one or two weeks ahead of the start of the season in your area. www.weather.com posts daily ragweed forecasts; www.gazoontite.com will e-mail a daily pollen report at no cost.
MARCH
Week 1: Mold season
begins
Week 2: Maple begins
Week 4: Elm begins
APRIL
All month: Molds, elm, maple
Week 2: Birch begins
Week 4: Oak begins
MAY
All month: Molds
Week 1: Maple ends
Week 2: Oak, birch end, grass begins
JUNE
All month:
Grass, molds
JULY
All month: Molds
Week 3: Grass ends
Week 4: Ragweed begins
AUGUST
All month:
Molds, ragweed
SEPTEMBER
All month:
Molds, ragweed
OCTOBER
Week 2:
Ragweed ends
Week 4: Molds end
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