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Watch: Did Dry Wx Help Allergy Season?

Story Published: Aug 16, 2012 at 6:23 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 16, 2012 at 6:23 PM EDT

It's the season for sneezin'  if you're sensitive to ragweed.
 
What's commonly called hay fever is actually an allergic reaction to ragweed pollen. But this year, less rain could mean less suffering.

Ragweed begins to bloom in mid-August, leading to weeks of misery if you're allergic to its pollen. But  ragweed may be a little more scarce this year.

"One thing about ragweed is that it prefers heavy, moist soils," said Sue Gwise, Jefferson County Cooperative Extension horticulture coordinator.

"So i'm sure that the drought we had this year has really put a hurt on it."

Sue's opinion takes into account the rain of the last two weeks. She believes it may have been too late for the ragweed.

"A lot of it may have died back when it was so dry."

But Watertown allergy specialist Dr. Dariusz Chrostowski isn't so sure.

"Most of the pollen counting stations in Rochester and Albany are already showing moderate counts on the ragweed," he said.
 
"Within the next week or two we'll pretty much know where we go."

 


 
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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