Ragweed pollen season is among us– what doctors and environmentalists say

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – If you’re sneezing a little more than usual and your eyes itch more than often, it could be due to Ragweed.

“Ragweed around here starts, basically, a couple of weeks ago – so late August, and it will continue until we have the first frost,” Allergy and Asthma Specialist Dr. Donnie Dunagan said.

Dr. Donnie Dunagan says it could be the reasons for allergy symptoms you might be experiencing.

“These patients will come in, and they’re having itchy eyes, itchy nose, itchy throat, sneezing, congestion, and sometimes they’re extremely miserable.”

But local environmentalists like the Savannah Riverkeeper, Tonya Bonitatibus says, ragweed is often a resource to some wildlife.

“But it is actually a really key component to a lot of the species here. So, it’s a late blooming, kind of fall plant. There’s a lot of butterflies and a lot of moss that really need it.”

And to add to the buildup of ‘Southern Snow,’ the city of Augusta makes it a little harder to escape.

“Augusta sort of sits in a bowl if you will,” Dr. Dunagan said.

“We’re kinda in a bowl. So, things kind of come here and settle and sit versus if you’re in Savannah, you get the breeze,” Bonitatibus said.

“So, when it comes it stays. And so, Augusta is ranked as one of the highest places in the country for pollen.”

“We continually have some of the highest asthma rates in the nation. We have some of the highest particulate air toxins in the nation, and we have the largest amount of allergens in a lot of different places,” Bonitatibus said.

Still, doctors say there are ways around the results of allergy symptoms.

“So, try to avoid it. So, I know the weather’s getting nice outside, and I know it’s getting cool into the evenings and in the morning. Keep the windows closed. The pollen count is always highest in the morning. So, if you’re gonna go out and exercise, probably later in the evening is better, but if you’re still having symptoms, we have over-the-counter antihistamines. We have Zyrtec, Allegra, Claritin, Xyzal, and all of those are good choices,” Dr. Dunagan said.

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