ATLANTA — You may be preparing for cooler temperatures now that it’s late September, but many allergy sufferers are preparing for ragweed.
Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan learned there's a spike in asthma attacks this month because of the plant.
For people with allergies, ragweed can be more than uncomfortable: In severe cases, it can be deadly.
“He can go from feeling fine to feeling sick pretty quickly,” said mother Christine Sturm.
Sturm's son, Jackson, started getting asthma symptoms as a baby. Now, their pantry looks more like a pharmacy.
“He has an emergency bag where he keeps his own set of stuff,” Sturm said.
The family is ready for a sniffle that could turn into an emergency, and the fall is no exception
“Even though you can see more of the environmental allergies in the spring, for us, it is the ragweed,” Sturm said.
Jackson's not alone.
About 23 million Americans suffer allergy symptoms from ragweed.
Ragweed season starts in August, but peaks in September, causing a spike in asthma attacks, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
“Ragweed is the most common allergen in America. It’s also very high levels here in the South where it’s hotter and wetter,” said allergist Dr. Alan Redding.
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Redding said ragweed pollen can travel hundreds of miles and the symptoms can become dangerous.
“There are a number of people with moderate-to-severe asthma that can have severe exacerbations and can in some cases kill. So, asthma is still a cause of death amongst children and adults,” Redding said.
Jackson’s first line of defense is a rescue inhaler as well as an EpiPen close by.
“You have to be prepared all the time,” Sturm said.
Redding said most asthma deaths are preventable.
Some tips to minimize ragweed exposure include limiting outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., changing shoes and clothes when you come inside and using an air filter that is asthma and allergy-friendly.
Cox Media Group
