Fall Allergies in NYC: Why Ragweed Season Hits So Hard

Oct 16

If you start sneezing in late August and don't stop until Thanksgiving, you're not imagining it. Fall is the second big allergy season in New York City, and for many people it's worse than spring.

The main culprit: ragweed

Ragweed is a weed that grows in empty lots, along highways and in parks across the Northeast. Its pollen season usually runs from mid-August until the first hard frost, with the heaviest counts in September. A single plant can release up to a billion pollen grains, and the grains are light enough to travel for miles on the wind. You don't need to live near a field to breathe it in on a Manhattan sidewalk.

Common ragweed symptoms include:

Sneezing, runny or stuffy nose
Itchy, watery eyes
An itchy throat or ears
Coughing, or asthma that flares up in the fall
Poor sleep and daytime fatigue

Some people with ragweed allergy also notice an itchy mouth or throat after eating melon, banana, cucumber or zucchini. This is called oral allergy syndrome. It happens because proteins in these foods look similar to ragweed pollen.

Mold and indoor allergens join in

Fall also brings outdoor mold. Spores build up in damp piles of leaves, soil and compost, and they can stay high until the ground freezes. Raking leaves or walking through a wet park can set off symptoms.

Indoors, closing the windows and turning on the heat stirs up dust mites and pet dander. That's why some people feel worse once the weather turns cold, even after ragweed season ends.

Simple steps that help

Check the daily pollen count and keep windows closed on high-count days.
Shower and change clothes after spending time outside.
Run air conditioning or a HEPA air purifier instead of opening windows.
Wear a mask when raking leaves or doing yard work.
Start nasal steroid sprays a week or two before your symptoms usually begin, not after.

When to see an allergist

Over-the-counter pills help many people. It's time to see an allergist if:

Symptoms last more than a few weeks or come back every fall
Medications aren't working or make you drowsy
You get repeated sinus infections or ear pressure
Your asthma flares in the fall
Allergies are hurting your sleep, work or school

An allergist can confirm exactly what you react to with simple skin or blood testing. If ragweed is the cause, allergy shots or under-the-tongue treatment can retrain your immune system over time, so each fall gets easier rather than repeating the same cycle.

Book a visit in Midtown

Dr. Arthur Lubitz is a board-certified allergist who has treated New Yorkers for more than 35 years. His office is at 244 W 54th St, Suite 600, near Columbus Circle. Book online or call (212) 247-7447.

Dr. Arthur Lubitz MD