Ragweed pollen wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee(WDEF) – If you’ve recently been suffering from a runny nose, scratchy throat, watery eyes and coughing; you’re not alone because ragweed pollen is wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers.

News 12 met with allergy sufferer Emily Presswood. She said that in recent weeks, she’s experienced classic symptoms of exposure to ragweed pollen.

"Fatigue, runny nose, stuffed up nose and headaches," Presswood said.

According to Dr. Todd Levine of the Chattanooga Allergy Clinic, extremely high levels of ragweed pollen is forcing more people to book doctor appointments.

"It is really bothering a lot of people. We have been incredibly busy with a great influx of patients that have had a lot of watery eyes, itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion,post nasal drip that drains down the back of the throat and increase in asthma symptoms," Levin said.

Exposure to the pollen is also forcing people like Presswood to go to extremes for allergy relief.

"I’ve actually increased my antihistamine by taking  Zyrtec in the morning, Claritin at night and Benadryl in the afternoon," Presswood said.

Dr. Levin is waring allergy sufferers about taking that kind of extremes measure with over-the-counter medication.

"There is a danger because a lot of these over counter medication are a combination of products. They have more than one medications in them," Levin said.

The combination of multiple medications infused within over-the-counter antihistamine medicine can potentially cause damage to organs and other problems.

Levine suggest allergy sufferers seek help from an allergist who may recommend a prescription antihistamine. 

A prescription antihistamine is much stronger than the over-the-counter medications.

Allergy shots are also an option.

As for the ragweed pollen, expect to see more of it as long as the Tennessee Valley goes without a substantial rainfall.