Ambrosia Allergy: Symptoms And Treatment

ambrosia-allergy-symptoms-and-treatment

Ambrosia allergy can cause severe discomfort. We explain what you need to know about the plant and what treatment for the symptoms helps.

What happens with an Ambrosia allergy?

The ragweed (“ragwort” or mugwort ragweed) flowers mainly between mid-July and October. If you have an ambrosia allergy, you have  typical  allergy symptoms  like rhinitis and itching with ragweed pollen. Among other things, it can lead to a cross-allergy with different foods and other plants. Medication or hyposensitization can treat the ambrosia allergy.

 

This makes ambrosia so dangerous for allergy sufferers

According to experts, around two million Germans suffer from an allergy to ragweed – although the plant does not come from here. Actually, the Ambrosia is at home in North America. But a single Ambrosia can – up to a million pollen spread – much to the misfortune of allergy sufferers So the plant managed to spread worldwide. 

Anyone who discovers ambrosia plants in their garden as allergic persons should absolutely have their roots removed. Then it is time to observe the soil: if small plants sprout, the surrounding earth should be disposed of generously – presumably it is full of ragweed seeds.

 

What are the symptoms of Ambrosia Allergy?

The symptoms of pollen in ambrosia are similar to those of hay fever . It can come with an allergy to the following complaints: 

  • Nose clogged / runny nose
  • itching
  • burning and / or watery eyes
  • palate itching
  • Dry dry cough
  • Shortness of breath (in severe cases, see also allergic asthma )

Which cross allergies can occur? 

In an ambrosia allergy, cross-allergies with food and other plants are not uncommon. The following foods are among the allergy triggers:

  • Apple
  • banana
  • peach
  • nectarine
  • Melon / watermelon
  • zucchini
  • cucumber

The pollen allergy can also spread to the following plants:

  • grasses
  • arnica
  • chamomile
  • daisy

 

Treatment: What helps with pollen?

As with most allergies, treatment with medications such as antihistamines is also considered here – if there is no histamineintolerance. The one can not completely avoid pollen – from pollen and air filter, the ragweed pollen can but contain at least. In the long term, the symptoms help with hyposensitization.