Allergy Season Could Last Longer in Philadelphia

I’ve got some bad news. Health experts predict that allergy season will last longer this fall.

The culprit? Pollen from ragweed, a tooth-leafed member of the Ambrosia family. Ragweed season peaks in September, and pollen could remain at annoyingly high levels through early to mid-October. Yikes 😩

Chestnut Hill allergy specialist Manav N. Segal told The Philadelphia Inquirer that global warming is contributing to longer allergy seasons. In recent years, the first freezes in Philly have been arriving later than normal.

Is there any hope? Yes and no. Aerobiologist Estelle Levitin told the paper that if we get a lot of precipitation during the pollen season, it will lessen the intensity, as rain reduces pollen flight.

However, Philly had a particularly rainy June, and agronomy expert Andrew Frankenfield expects that this will actually boost ragweed crops.

What can we do?

• Start taking over-the-counter allergy medication before the season starts
• Limit time outdoors on high pollen count days
• Wear masks outdoors
• Shower and change clothes when returning indoors
• Keep windows closed if possible