Allergen of the Month: Ragweed
As part of our ongoing Allergy of the Month series, today we’re looking at the notorious fall allergen, ragweed.
Ragweed, or Ambrosia psilostachya, is much less “food of the gods” and more eye-watering, sneezing and coughing. You might already be familiar with ragweed if you suffer from fall allergies, and as the fall allergy season is beginning to ramp up, we’re helping everyone brush up on their knowledge of this unsavory plant.
Fast Facts:
• Up to ½ of all cases of pollen-related allergic rhinitis in North America are caused by ragweed
• There are 17 different species of ragweed in the US and most are common in rural areas of the East and Midwest
• A simple ragweed plant can release ~1 billion grains of pollen over the course of one ragweed season
• An itchy throat, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes are all symptoms of an allergic reaction to ragweed
When to Expect Ragweed Allergies
Late summer and early fall are prime ragweed allergy season. If you’ve been told by a doctor in the past that you’re suffering from hay fever, it might be due to ragweed. Ragweed pollen is transported by the wind, and particles are at their lowest concentration around 6:00 a.m., reaching peak concentration in the air around midday. Ragweed pollen can remain airborne for days at a time, but rain can help remove it from the air.
How to Prevent Exposure to Ragweed
The short answer is, you really can’t. While you can consult with your doctor and take over the counter or prescription medications to combat symptoms of allergies, it’s challenging to avoid ragweed altogether. To limit your exposure, try some of these tips:
• Check pollen counts before you make outdoor plans. If there are high concentrations of ragweed pollen in the air, avoid outdoor activities such as picnics and outdoor sports. Instead, opt for a trip to the movies or an indoor game.
• Keep your windows closed during allergy season, both at home and in your car, to avoid letting pollen into your home.
• Keep in mind that ragweed pollen can travel into your home on your clothes, in your hair, or on your pet. Changing your clothes after being outside, showering, and washing your hands after petting an animal that has been outside are a few ways to cut down on ragweed pollen in your home.
• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. An air purifier like Airmega can help reduce the number of allergens in your home, and its HEPA air filters trap 99.97 percent of particles.
Find out more about how Airmega can help keep your home allergy free here, and if you were experiencing major allergies last month, this may be why.
Disclaimers
1Coway air purifiers has been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander, viruses and bacteria in the air based on KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing.They have been tested in a 30㎥ size chamber according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers.
→ Tested with Airmega Aim, 150, 160, AP-1216L, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, IconS, 230, 240, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S, ProX
299.97% of viruses, bacteria, fungi and pollen were verified to be removed from the air for Coway air purifiers which have Green True HEPA™ filter applied based on the Japan Food Research Laboratories(JFRL) testing according to JEM 1467 standard.
→ Tested with Coway Airmega AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 250, 250 Art, 250S, 300, 300S, 400, 400S
→ All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
All tested by JFRL and received above result within below time.
- Virus: Tested with Escherichia coli phage ΦX174 NBRC 103405, 60 minutes
- Bacteria: Tested with Staphylococcus epidermidis NBRC 12993, 60 minutes
- Fungi/Mold: Tested with Penicillium citrinum NBRC 6352, 60 minutes
- Pollen: Tested with Cedar Pollen extract, 60 minutes
3Aerosol test conducted in a Biosafety level 3 laboratory with two Coway air purifier models, Coway Airmega 250 and 400 for removal of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol by US based MRI Global, a not-for-profit laboratory and partner of US Department of Defense. The test was conducted in a 13.1ft3 chamber. Virus was aerosolized for 15 minutes and the product was turned on high for 2 minutes. Result showed each product effectively removed over 99.98% of the SARS-CoV-2 in 2 minutes. This is a result from a laboratory experiment condition and result may vary in different conditions. This result does not imply it kills SARS-CoV-2 or prevents the transmission of Covid-19. Coway Airmega 250S and 400S are identical to the tested models and has equal performance with an additional mobile connectivity function.
4The concentration of ammonia, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were proven to be removed within 30 minutes by FCG Research Institute, Inc. Human Life Science Lab. It is not a demonstration result in the actual use space. Not all odors and gases may be supported. → Tested with Coway Airmega 150, 160, AP-1512HH, AP-1512HHS, 400, 400S
5The coverage area of the air purifier is based on an area where the air cleaner can make two air changes per hour (ACPH). An air change per hour translates to how many times an air purifier can clean an area, assuming the height of a ceiling to be 8 ft, in one hour. Therefore ** means two air changes per hour means that the cleaner can clean the area once every 30 minutes and * means air changes per hour means that the air purifier can clean the area once every 60 minutes.
10Terms and conditions apply. Discounts, including promotions, coupons, bundle discount and subscription discount, cannot be stacked on top of other coupons. During promotional periods, discount codes will not be able to be applied to orders. Promo codes may apply to products only—filters, accessories, and new products within 3 months of the release date are not included.
