Ragweed season is here

Ragweed pollen numbers are more than twice as high this week as they were a year ago, and mold is just as bad. <br><br>That means sniffles; sneezes and stuffy noses may feel twice as bad for those who

Friday, August 30th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Ragweed pollen numbers are more than twice as high this week as they were a year ago, and mold is just as bad.

That means sniffles; sneezes and stuffy noses may feel twice as bad for those who struggle with allergies. Green Country is notorious for high levels of allergens this time of year. Ragweed season is just beginning; it will grow just about anywhere the sun is shining. Some people find the symptoms of fall allergies are even worse after eating certain fruits and vegetables. It's called "oral food allergy syndrome."

Dr Loudy Naimeh with the Tulsa Allergy Clinic, "the protein that's responsible for allergy has a similarity in chemical composition to some fruit. Particularly for the ragweed, they're similar to melons."

Dr Naimeh says it's important to treat allergies before the onset of symptoms, with antihistamines and prescription nasal sprays.