Although most people associate allergies with spring and summer, ragweed is the biggest common allergen in the fall, according to WebMD. 75 percent of people allergic to spring plants are allergic to fall ragweed.
Ragweed pollen is typically released in late August and early September, when nights are cool but days are warm.
Here’s how to control ragweed pollen in your home:
- Routinely (but thoroughly) clean flat surfaces, window coverings and anywhere else dust and pollen can collect.
- Clean floors and vacuum thoroughly and frequently.
- Encase your box springs, mattresses and pillows in hypoallergenic covers, and wash sheets weekly in warm water.
- Brush or wipe down pets before they come inside. Pet fur is particularly effective at bringing particles into the house, and those allergens can be released when pets scratch or shake. Keeping pets out of the bedroom may help.
- Get your carpets and wood floors professionally cleaned. Carpets can trap allergens, and pollen can also settle in between floorboards. Pollen can also get embedded in the upholstery of your couches and chairs, making you sneeze every time you sit down!
