What Is Ragweed?

If you are one of the millions of people across North America who suffer from pollen allergies every year, the chances are that you will be more than familiar with the ragweed plant, and the horrendously allergenic pollen that it releases. But how about people who come to visit the good old USA for their summer holidays, do they know what ragweed is? I think the answer to that question is probably no, as the ragweed plant is not something that causes as much of a problem in other parts of the world.

I say this from experience, as I was unknowingly introduced to ragweed one summer when visiting family over in the states from my home in the UK. It was not a pleasant experience.

If you are somebody who suffers from pollen allergies, or 'hay fever' as the term is in Europe, you are going to be wanting to know all about ragweed in advance of spending any time in North America from July through to October!

So let me answer the question 'what is ragweed?', and fill you in on a few important details.

What is the ragweed plant, and where is it found?

The ragweed plant is the culprit in this annual story, as it produces the most allergenic pollen of all plants. A type of sunflower, it is a flowering plant that grows in over 40 different species, from the common ragweed to the giant ragweed.

It grows in places you aren't necessarily going to notice it such as desolate landscapes, river banks, dry and dusty plains, areas other than your back yard where you have control over them. You may walk around outside the whole summer and autumn and not even see a ragweed plant, yet still the pollen that it releases plagues you, how can this be?

Well the fact is that the pollen that the ragweed plant produces is so light that once released, the wind can carry it for many miles and thus it effects people everywhere, no matter how safe they think they are from the plant.

The warmer the territory that you are in, the more chance that there is ragweed pollen floating around near you though, and who goes anywhere cold for the summer?

Having answered the main question ' what is ragweed?', let's now go over what causes the allergy and what you can do to avoid it.

What causes ragweed allergies?

Ragweed allergy is caused by the pollen that is released from the ragweed plant. Each plant has the ability to produce and release millions of grains of pollen into the air. These are subsequently inhaled by humans, and can provoke certain people's immune systems to react as though it is harmful, which of course it isn't. The reaction of course are typical hay fever symptoms.

Nobody can control how their immune system reacts to stimuli such as pollen, which is why there are so many people around the world who suffer from pollen allergies such as ragweed allergy.

How can I cope with my allergy of pollen?

If you are going to be in warmer areas of North America during the summer and autumn months, then making sure you spend as little time outdoors as possible is going to be the safest way to avoid a reaction. Checking the pollen count in your area is also a great idea every day, to determine how at risk you are going to be, if you do plan to spend a lot of time outside.

Furthermore, making sure that you are well stocked up on your anti-allergen tablets is a fine way to negate the effect that the pollen is going to have on you.

Research where you are going before you travel. If you know people in the area that you are staying, perhaps asking them about ragweed and pollen counts, as they will no doubt no somebody with the same problem.

It may sound a little bit extreme, but even changing your plans so that you ensure you are heading to somewhere far far away from potential ragweed allergy, may not be the worst idea you will ever have.

A bit of forethought could save you a very uncomfortable trip.

I hope you you don't get the same surprise as I did when it comes to encountering the dreaded ragweed.