Which fall allergen is already causing problems? By the end of summer, you'll be sniffling, and it's not because of the grass

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – It's here. The thing that makes you look back to spring and think your allergies weren't as bad then as they are now. Ragweed has returned.

In summer, grass pollen is the main allergen, but ragweed can occur in both summer and autumn.

Ragweed season begins in August, peaks in September, and can last until November. Ragweed pollen consists of tiny particles that float through the air and can cause problems for allergy sufferers.

Ragweed is, as the name suggests, a weed. According to St. Thomas Midtown, three out of four allergy sufferers are allergic to ragweed. The weed is most common in the East, Southeast and Midwest.

The symptoms of ragweed are similar to those of “hay fever” and cause inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa. Sneezing, itchy or runny nose, itchy throat, pressure in the sinuses, stuffy nose and watery eyes are just some of the symptoms associated with a ragweed allergy.

Ragweed pollen is very light, so light that it can travel hundreds of miles through the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a single ragweed plant can produce up to a billion pollen grains in a season. Multiply that by the number of ragweed plants in your area and it can be a recipe for disaster.

Ragweed is particularly dangerous for people who suffer from asthma attacks. Children and elderly people with asthma are particularly susceptible.

The growing season is getting longer as warmer temperatures continue into the fall. Allergy sufferers can expect longer allergy seasons in the future.

With fall just around the corner, there are other noticeable fall weeds to watch out for.

This picture shows some of the main types of fall weeds other than ragweed. These weeds also release pollen spores into the air, but they produce almost the same amount of pollen as ragweed.

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