Pollen Seasons in the U.S.<\/strong><\/p>\n February \u2013 April: Trees<\/a> (some regions start as early as December or January)<\/p>\n April \u2013 early June: Grasses<\/a><\/p>\n August \u2212 first hard frost: Weeds<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=” Intro 2 Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n You may start having symptoms when ragweed plants release pollen into the air. Your symptoms may continue until the first frost kills the plant. Depending on your location, ragweed season starts around August and may last six to 10 weeks. In most areas in the U.S., it peaks in mid-September and can last through October.2<\/sup><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Page Content – What Is Ragweed?” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ragweed is a weed that grows throughout the United States, especially in the Eastern and Midwestern states. Each plant lives only one season. But that one plant can produce up to 1 billion pollen grains.2<\/sup><\/p>\n When nights grow longer, ragweed flowers mature and release pollen. Warm weather, humidity, and breezes after sunrise help release the pollen.<\/p>\n Ragweed usually grows in rural areas but can be found in suburban and urban areas too. Turf grasses and other perennial plants easily overgrow ragweed. But where streams of water, farming, or chemicals upset the soil \u2013 like salting roads in the winter \u2013 ragweed will grow. It is often found along roadsides, riverbanks, in vacant lots, and fields. Dormant seeds that live in the soil for decades may grow when the conditions are right.<\/p>\n One study showed that ragweed pollen could be seven times higher in a city that averaged 3.6 degrees warmer and had 30% more carbon dioxide than the city\u2019s rural surrounding area.3<\/sup> This is due to extreme heat in urban areas that are made worse because of an effect called an \u201curban heat island.\u201d4<\/sup><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Some studies have shown that climate change has made the ragweed pollen season longer and more intense. This is a major cause of increased pollen. Ragweed plants are releasing pollen for longer periods during the year and the plants are releasing higher pollen amounts. Climate change is also causing increased carbon dioxide gas in the air, which stimulates ragweed plants to make more pollen.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Callout – Ragweed vs. Goldenrod” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ link_line_height=”1.7em” ul_line_height=”1.7em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#F5EDDF” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ragweed and goldenrod are two types of plants that look very similar. While ragweed can cause allergy symptoms, goldenrod attracts insect pollinators, such as bees.<\/p>\n Some of the confusion comes from the fact that the two types of plants bloom at the same time. Here are some characteristics to help you tell the difference between the two.<\/p>\n Ragweed<\/strong><\/p>\n Goldenrod<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Page Content – What Is Ragweed Pollen Allergy?” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you have allergies, your immune system reacts when you come in contact with allergens<\/a>. When you are allergic to ragweed pollen and inhale it from the air, allergy symptoms<\/a> may appear.<\/p>\n Seventeen types of ragweed grow in North America.5<\/sup> Tooth-leaved ragweed is the type of ragweed that causes allergy symptoms for most people.2<\/sup> Ragweed also belongs to a larger family of plants that can spread pollen by wind. These plants can also cause symptoms. Members of this plant family include:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Page Content – What Are the Symptoms of Ragweed Pollen Allergy? (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis)” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you have a ragweed pollen allergy, you will only have symptoms when ragweed pollen is in the air. This is called seasonal allergic rhinitis, or \u201chay fever.\u201d Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:<\/p>\n If you have asthma and are allergic to ragweed pollen, you may have allergic asthma. This means ragweed pollen triggers your asthma symptoms:<\/p>\n A ragweed pollen allergy can also cause you to have itching or swelling in or around your mouth when you eat certain foods. This is called pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) or oral allergy syndrome (OAS). PFAS occurs because your immune system confuses ragweed pollen with certain foods. (It can happen to people allergic to some trees, grasses, or other weeds as well.)<\/p>\n If you have a ragweed allergy, you may get PFAS symptoms when you eat these foods:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Page Content – How Do Doctors Diagnose Ragweed Pollen Allergy?” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n If you think you are allergic to ragweed pollen, see a board-certified allergist. They will ask you about your medical history, do a physical exam, and allergy testing<\/a>. They may do a skin prick test to confirm your allergy.<\/p>\n For prick\/scratch testing, the doctor or nurse places a small drop containing ragweed pollen on your skin. They will then lightly prick or scratch your skin with a needle through the drop. If you are sensitive to ragweed, you will develop redness, swelling, and itching at the test site within 15 to 20 minutes. Your doctor may also do a blood test to see if you have the antibody to ragweed.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Page Content – What Is the Treatment for Ragweed Pollen Allergy?” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There is no cure for ragweed pollen allergy. But there are ways to treat and manage it. There are many\u00a0allergy treatment options<\/a>\u00a0to help you.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Callout – Allergy Medicine Guide – NEW” module_id=”what-are-nasal-allergies” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ link_line_height=”1.7em” ul_line_height=”1.7em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#F5EDDF” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_module=”16360″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There are many over-the-counter or prescription medicines to help you find allergy relief. For seasonal allergies, start your allergy medicines a couple weeks before your allergy season for best results. Talk with your doctor about your allergy treatment plan. \u00a0If you do not get complete relief from medicines, there are other treatment options.<\/p>\n AAFA’s Allergy Medicine Guide<\/strong> <\/a>explains the options available.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Page Content – Should I Move to Get Relief From My Ragweed Pollen Allergy?” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Ragweed is found in almost every region in the United States. Alaska is the only state without ragweed. If you move, you may get some allergy relief for a short time. But you can develop allergies to the pollen in your new location in a few years. A solid treatment plan<\/a>\u00a0is a better way to live with your allergies.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”Accordion – References” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” height_tablet=”” height_phone=”” height_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”References” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” admin_label=”References” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” module_class=”med-rev clearfix” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Medical Review<\/a>: June 2022 by John James, MD, and August 2023 by Jill Poole, MD<\/small><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]What Is Ragweed?<\/h3>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/2022-allergy-caps-urban-heat-islands-climate-change.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhat Are the Differences Between Ragweed and Goldenrod?<\/h3>\n
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![\"Ragweed\"](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/ragweed-pollen-woes-BT-1.png\")
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![\"Goldenrod](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/ragweed-pollen-woes-BT.png\")
<\/p>\nWhat Is a Ragweed Pollen Allergy?<\/h3>\n
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What Are the Symptoms of Ragweed Pollen Allergy? (Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis)<\/h3>\n
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How Do Doctors Diagnose Ragweed Pollen Allergy?<\/h3>\n
What Is the Treatment for Ragweed Pollen Allergy?<\/h3>\n
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![\"Allergy](\"https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/allergy-medicines-450x375-ad.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nShould I Move to Get Relief From My Ragweed Pollen Allergy?<\/h3>\n
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References<\/h5>\n
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