One in three people in the U.S. experience allergies, making them one of the most common chronic conditions. Allergies happen when your immune system mistakenly identifies a normally harmless substance as a threat and responds to it. These substances, known as allergens, may be inhaled, eaten, or encountered through physical contact.
Each season brings new pollen threats for seasonal allergies. In North Carolina, tree pollen accounts for seasonal allergies in spring, grass pollen in summer, and ragweed pollen in the fall.
Sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, skin irritation, and other symptoms can make it difficult to enjoy everyday activities. While allergy symptoms vary from person to person, they can still have a noticeable impact on your quality of life.
As you prepare for fall and ragweed allergy season, learn how you can take precautions and better manage your symptoms. However, if ragweed allergies become difficult to control, visit your local AFC Urgent Care in Lenoir to find relief.
Ragweed: Common Fall Allergen
Ragweed is a wild weed that belongs to the daisy family. It has hairy branches, finely divided leaves that resemble ferns, and small greenish-yellow flowers. As an annual plant, ragweed only grows for one season. However, a single ragweed plant can release as many as 1 billion pollen grains into the air, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America,
Peak Ragweed Season in North Carolina
Ragweed season typically begins in North Carolina around early August. Pollen levels often reach their highest point in September and can remain elevated through October and even November. The first frost of the season ends the season.
Keeping an eye on local pollen levels can help you plan outdoor activities and know when it is best to stay inside. You can track pollen counts in Lenoir, through the following resources:
Ragweed Allergy Symptoms
Ragweed allergies cause many of the same symptoms associated with other seasonal allergies, including the common cold. Common ragweed allergy symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Skin rashes
- Coughing or wheezing
- Nausea or vomiting
Some people may also experience pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) after eating certain foods. This condition can cause itching or swelling in or around the mouth because the immune system mistakes certain foods for ragweed pollen. Foods that may trigger a reaction include bananas, cantaloupe, cucumber, honeydew, and watermelon.
While our AFC Urgent Care Lenoir clinic does not provide allergy testing or allergy shots, our experienced medical providers can evaluate your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment to help you feel better.
How to Know When to Visit Urgent Care for Allergies?
Over-the-counter allergy medications can help manage mild symptoms. If your symptoms become severe or continue interfering with your daily routine, visit AFC Urgent Care if you experience:
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness, which should not be ignored.
- Poor sleep can leave you feeling worse and may make it harder to manage your allergy symptoms.
- Persistent itching and rubbing of the eyes from allergies can potentially contribute to infection.
- Widespread hives, intense itching, facial swelling, or rapidly developing swelling.
Steps to Limit Your Ragweed Exposure
It is not possible to completely avoid ragweed pollen during the fall, but making a few changes to your daily routine can help reduce your exposure. The Mayo Clinic recommends several strategies for managing seasonal allergies, including:
- Plan Your Outside Time: Stay indoors on dry, windy days and in the mornings. The best time to go outside is after rain, which helps clear pollen from the air.
- After Being Outside: Change clothes and wash them before wearing again. Shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.
- Keep Your Indoor Air Clean: Use air conditioning and keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier. Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter when possible.
- Rinse your sinuses: To clear your nasal congestion, rinse your sinuses with saline solution to relieve nasal congestion.
- Over-the-Counter Medicine: If high pollen counts are forecasted, start taking allergy medications before your symptoms start.
Find Allergy Relief at AFC Urgent Care
Which would you prefer on a beautiful, fall Saturday this October? Stuck at home suffering from allergies or walking your dog alongside the lakefront paths at Broyhill Walking Park under the vibrant fall foliage.
At AFC Urgent Care, we understand that allergies can strike suddenly and disrupt your best laid plans. Our clinic is open 7 days a week to evaluate your allergy symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment. Walk-in or pre-register at AFC Urgent Care Lenoir when you need allergy relief, so you, your dog, and your family can get outside and enjoy fall.