St. Louis is predicted to have one of the nation's worst allergy seasons this fall, with plenty of ragweed pollen filling the air. Based on an analysis of 100 cities, St. Louis ranked as the fourth worst ragweed location this year. Tulsa, Wichita, and Dallas have it slightly worse, while those in the Northwest can breathe easy. The worst ragweed cities were in the Midwest and South.
Sufferers can place much of the blame on the climate.
It is just the right mixture for us to have development of high ragweed counts. It is one of the most common chronic diseases. People suffer itchy eyes, runny noses, nasal congestion, and sneezing because of ragweed more than any other pollen source. The ragweed season officially began last week, but is expected to peak locally Sept. 1, according to the survey. Nasal steroids do not have that side effect and are considered more effective, but must be taken every day, Dykewicz says.