The Moment of Truth Approaches: Ragweed Season 2009

Okay fellow allergy sufferers now is the time to begin your preparation for ragweed season 2009. Perhaps you’ve been coasting along for the last 3-4 weeks, enjoying the summer with only minimal nasal and eye itching and watering. The up and down humidity may have caused a little off and on nasal congestion. Just hit a few speed bumps right?

Well the good times will soon be over my friends. Right now billions of ragweed plants are out there on the verge of mounting a ferocious assault which kicks off on August 15^th of this month.

What are you prepared to do? Are you going to be like millions of others and wait for the first salvo of allergy symptoms to remind you of your “Achilles heel” of the late summer and fall season? Will you be one of many who desperately run to the drug store or your doctor’s office to get those magical antihistamines and nasal sprays, only to find that they don’t work nearly as well as before? The pills end up giving you a few hours of partial relief before the itching, drainage and sneezing returns. The nasal spray won’t even get past the first third of the inside of your nose before running down your upper lip. The sinus pressure makes your head feel like a bowling ball. You get the picture?

Perhaps you are so desperate you dash to the store for some of that quick-acting (quick fix) over-the-counter nasal spray (no prescription needed). You know what I’m talking about. The Afrin or Neosynephrine, or many others of the class that rapidly relieves stuffy nose, but if used for more than three days, may cause dependency (you may get addicted my friend).

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO AVOID THIS SCENARIO?

Remember: “Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance”

One to two weeks before the start of ragweed season is the best time to start your long-acting antihistamines and prescribed nasal sprays. That means the time is now!

I won’t go into detail about the meds because I have already covered this topic in several of my postings (follow the links).

Bottom Line:

Get going with your allergy treatment plan before the onset of symptoms in order to give yourself the best chance of getting through the ragweed season with minimum difficulty. Talk to your allergist or primary doctor to find out what medication is best for you and most safe (regarding possible side-effects and drug interactions).

Good Luck!

Links: Ragweed Season