Allergy season is right around the corner, and it has been predicted that this will be one of the worst seasons for ragweed, a common allergen. Ragweed is a weed whose lifespan is only one season long; theofficial date for ragweed season in NC is August 15th, and doesn’t die off until winter weather, but if you are an allergy sufferer, that one season is definitely enough. A single ragweed plant can produce up to one billion grains of pollen that is carried by the wind. Though pollen, like other allergens, is actually harmless, it can have serious affects on allergy sufferers. Why do I get hay fever every fall, you may ask. Well, allergies are due to a sensitive immune system. Your body confuses simple allergens as malicious, harmful intruders, meaning that your coughing, sneezing, and itchy eyes are all just your body trying to fight off these foreign particles. Allergic reactions to ragweed can also cause a cross-reactivity to many oral allergies, such as the itching or hives you may encounter when eating a food you are allergic to. Many people allergic to ragweed also are sensitive to tomatoes, honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, and zucchini because they have similar proteins to ragweed pollen.If you are one of the unlucky snifflers of the fall season, you know that your home can be your safe haven. To avoid having pollen floating around the air in your home, it is important to not only keep your doors and windows close, but also make sure that the air filter is clean. We at MTB Heating and Air offer a number of high quality whole home filtration systems. Call us today to learn more about how these systems will improve your indoor air quality and help eliminate allergy symptoms. Just remember, heating and air is as easy as MTB.
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