Ragweed is a highly dangerous allergen that can develop into bronchial asthma if not properly treated, allergist Maya Ruselevich said in an appearance on Kyiv24.
Ruselevich said symptoms can be more severe in people who also have a cross-allergy to meadow grass pollen, and that the allergy can intensify year after year. She stressed the importance of starting therapy early to prevent allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis from progressing to asthma.
She said many people only manage flare-up symptoms rather than treating the allergy fully, which leads to milder forms transforming into more serious ones. Symptoms range from sneezing, nasal itching and discharge, and eye irritation to wheezing, bronchospasms, and worsening of chronic obstructive lung disease.
Ruselevich also noted that eating honey, sunflower oil, watermelon, melon, eggplant, or zucchini can trigger cross-reactions, causing increased swelling, itching, hives, stomach pain, or diarrhea.
