Facts, Prevention, and Relief for Weed Pollen Allergies for 2024
Beat your allergies forever.
Get Started With WyndlyWeed pollen allergies are a common allergy in the United States. Weed pollen is small — sometimes microscopic — and can easily travel through the air. If you have a weed pollen allergy, when you breathe in this pollen you will often experience symptoms.
There are a variety of weed types, and you may be allergic to one or multiple species. Due to the hardiness of weeds and how common they are, it can be difficult to avoid weed pollen. Fortunately, Wyndly can help you relieve your weed allergies.
Set up an allergy consultation with Wyndly to get a personalized allergy plan, or keep reading to learn more about weed allergies.
Common Symptoms
Weed pollen allergies have many of the same symptoms as other seasonal allergies. If you have a weed allergy, these are some of the symptoms you may experience:
- Runny nose
- Coughing
- Congestion
- Sneezing
- Headaches
- Scratchy throat
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Allergic rash
- Aggravated symptoms if you have asthma
If you have a weed allergy, symptoms will start to appear when weed allergy season begins. If the weed pollen count is high for the day, your symptoms may worsen.
Where Is Weed Pollen Found?
Different species of weeds can be found all over the United States. Their pollen is also light and can easily travel through the air, meaning you may experience weed allergies even if you’re miles away from the source.
Weeds can commonly be found in cities, yards, fields, roadsides, forests, construction sites, and really just about everywhere. So it can be very difficult to avoid weed pollen. But some species of weed are more common than others, so it may be easier to avoid the less-common species if they’re the cause of your allergies.
What Are the Types?
There are various types of weeds found all over the United States. These are the most allergenic:
Those who suffer from weed allergies could be allergic to one or multiple species.
When Is Weed Pollen Allergy Season?
Weeds tend to thrive from late summer to early winter. Most weeds will have their peak allergy season in early fall when the pollen count is highest. In certain climates, weed allergies may persist through the winter if the conditions are mild.
During weed pollen allergy season, you should take extra care to limit exposure and manage your symptoms.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods contain proteins that are similar to the proteins found in weed pollen. If you’re sensitive to these proteins, you may have an allergic reaction after consuming these foods:
- Bananas
- Artichokes
- Honey
- Sunflower seeds
- Hibiscus
- Chamomile
- Cucumbers
- Melons
- Zucchini
Eating these foods may cause something called OAS, or oral allergy syndrome. This causes your mouth to itch or tingle. If you have itching or tingling after consuming these foods, you should make efforts to avoid them. If you have a severe allergic reaction to any food, seek emergency medical attention.
Testing and Diagnosis
Since weed pollen allergy season intersects with various other allergy seasons, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of your symptoms. Allergy testing can clear up any doubt by showing you exactly what weeds are causing you to have allergic reactions. The easiest way to get allergy testing is with Wyndly’s convenient and pain-free at-home finger prick test. Get an at-home allergy test today to discover your allergy profile.
This is how different allergy testing options work:
Old-Fashioned Method: Skin Prick Test at Your Doctor’s Office
Skin prick testing requires you to go to the doctor to find out your allergen triggers. It’s often uncomfortable, and it takes time out of your day. You’ll go to the doctor’s office, they’ll administer a test where they prick or scrape your skin with a needle tipped with different allergens, and then they’ll observe the areas they pricked for itchiness, redness, or swelling. All in all, it’s not a pleasant experience. Instead, you can save yourself time and discomfort by getting an at-home test.
Modern and Efficient At-Home Method
- Get Wyndly’s at-home allergy test. We ship our CLIA-certified test straight to your door.
- Take the allergy test and send it back to us. Just do a quick finger prick test to provide us with a blood sample and mail it back when you’re done.
- Receive your personal allergy profile. Our doctor will interpret your results, create an allergy profile, and walk you through a treatment plan.
Unlike self-diagnosis, an allergy test can reveal the full breadth of your allergies. This way you know exactly what you’re allergic to and how you can treat your symptoms.
Treatment and Remedies
Once you’ve identified the cause of your weed allergies, you can take steps to relieve your symptoms. There are several treatment methods you may want to try.
Limiting Exposure
Limiting exposure is always recommended for reducing your allergy symptoms. You should take extra care to limit exposure when it’s weed allergy season. Here are some ways you can reduce the amount of pollen you take in.
- Check the pollen count: High pollen count days will cause your allergies to be at their worst. Try to stay indoors on these days. You can check pollen count with a website or app.
- Avoid peak hours: Weed pollen will typically peak in the early morning to late afternoon. If you’re going outside, try to avoid being outdoors during these peak hours.
- Avoid dry, windy days: Dry, windy days make it easy for weed pollen to travel in the air. Try to stay inside on days like these.
- Keep your home clean: Pollen is very sticky, so it’s easy to bring some into your home when you come in from the outside. During weed allergy season, make sure you’re vacuuming with a HEPA filter, doing laundry often, and taking your shoes off when you come inside. It’s also a good idea to shower after being outside for long periods of time since the pollen can stick to your skin and hair.
- Remove weeds from your yard: If you have weeds in your yard, remove them if possible.
- Use rocks or gravel as mulch: Landscaping with rocks and gravel can make it difficult for weeds to grow.
- Buy a filter: A HEPA filter or a dehumidifier can help reduce allergens in your home.
- Close your windows: Keep your windows closed as much as possible during weed allergy season and run your air conditioning instead.
- Avoid the aforementioned foods: Don’t forget to avoid consuming the foods we listed earlier.
While limiting exposure can be helpful, it doesn’t always lead to complete relief. If that’s the case, you may want to try medication to manage symptoms.
Medications
During allergy season, certain medications can help you manage your symptoms temporarily. There are several options you might try.
-
Over-the-Counter Medications: OTC allergy meds are common and can be found in most grocery stores and pharmacies. Your allergy medication options will likely be over the counter.
- Antihistamines: Antihistamines block histamine reactions in your body, relieving you of your symptoms in the short term.
- Nasal sprays: Nasal sprays can help reduce your congestion or help with a runny nose. They work to reduce swelling and inflammation in your nasal passage.
- Eye drops: Eye drops can clear pollen from your eyes and relieve itchy eye symptoms.
- Prescription: Prescription medications should usually be your last resort to treat allergies. Speak to your doctor if you think prescription medications are necessary.
If making lifestyle changes and taking medications aren’t doing enough to relieve your allergies, sublingual immunotherapy may be the solution for you.
Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops
Sublingual immunotherapy is a form of allergy immunotherapy that is administered under the tongue using liquid drops. Immunotherapy gradually introduces small amounts of your allergen to your immune system, retraining it to ignore these substances. Sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops are just as effective as allergy shots, without the need for doctor’s visits and painful needles.
Sublingual immunotherapy allergy drops are used across the United States. Wyndly is making getting effective allergy treatment convenient and easy for allergy sufferers all over the United States.
Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly
If you want true, long-term relief from your allergies, Wyndly can help. Medications and lifestyle changes can only do so much. With sublingual immunotherapy, your body can learn to ignore your allergens and bring you allergy relief for life.
When you choose Wyndly, you get a personalized treatment plan for your allergies from one of our dedicated doctors. Get started on the path to true relief by scheduling your allergy consultation today.
Weed Pollen FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about weed allergies.
Will removing the weeds from my yard rid me of allergies?
While this might help you find some relief, keep in mind that weed pollen can travel for miles. That means if anyone else has weeds in your neighborhood, you’re still likely going to have problems.
What is the most common weed allergen?
The most widespread allergen is ragweed, and it can be found in every state except Alaska.
Can I use my COVID-19 mask to reduce weed pollen exposure?
If you have an N95 mask, this can do a very effective job at keeping pollen out. Cloth masks will need to be washed frequently, as pollen can stick to them and accumulate.
