Ragweed season can start as early as August and last as late as Halloween. For the first time this year, ragweed pollen was detected at our KVUE studios in North Austin on Monday.
Here's the latest allergy count:
Ragweed season kicks off a busy stretch of months of pollen problems:
In November, redberry juniper. December to February is mountain cedar season. Then March kicks off spring allergy season, which includes oak pollen.
Although rain chances increase through the month of September, Dr. William Howland with Allergy and Asthma Center of Austin said that a dry and windy day is all it takes for higher amounts of ragweed pollen to be recorded.
So, here's how you can prepare now:
"There are two once-a-day meds with no side effects. Allegra (fexofenadine generic) plus two sprays of a once-daily nasal steroid," said Dr. Howland.
Dr. Howland recommends nasal steroids like Nasacort, Rhinocort or Flonase SENSIMIST.
"The brands of nasal sprays above have no smell, taste or drip in throat," he said.
And because the season could linger through October, Dr. Howland stresses regular use until Nov. 1.
Since 1997, KVUE is the only station in the region that takes their own allergy counts seven days a week from our North Austin studios. Latest pollen counts and forecasts can be found here.