AUSTIN -- If you are new to Central Texas, welcome to ground zero for allergies. The next big one on the radar is ragweed season. Even though it's still more than a month away, the tell-tale signs indicate it promises to be one of the worst in recent memory.
All may seem tranquil along Shoal Creek near Steck, but look carefully: Giants are all around. Giant ragweed plants are green, and they're growing, some already several feet tall.
"We're expecting this to be a real rebound season for the ragweed -- probably the worst in the last five years and maybe even worse than that," said Bill Howland, M.D., an allergist with Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin.
Howland says while the drought may have killed our lawns in recent years, it's also kept the ragweed in check, but not this year.
"We've had so much rainfall and everything's green, and we haven't even had a 100 degree day yet," said Howland. "When I've been looking around I already see giant ragweed plants that are 5-6 feet tall."
It's not what many of Howland's patients want to hear based on how ragweed makes them feel.
"You're lethargic," said Millie Stefonsky. "My eyes would just itch and impair my vision. [I have] sneezing, scratchy throat and I just feel miserable."
It's the same for kids: Just ask 11-year-old Josh Miller.
"It's hard to breathe," he said. "It's hard to eat sometimes."
Howland says ragweed season is far more intense in the Midwest and Northeast, but it only lasts about three weeks in those parts of the country. Here it lasts for months: Starting in August and ending in November.
"It's nothing to look forward to," said Stefonsky. "I know how miserable ragweed makes me feel and nobody wants to feel miserable."
To be clear, there are two type of ragweed plants, common ragweed and great or giant ragweed. Howland says new, dissolvable, ragweed tablets are available with a prescription. He says they actually replace shots, but they have to be started now to be effective for this year.
Click here for a link the Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin
