Allergy testing can help you discover which allergens might be causing your symptoms.

Millions of people around the world experience allergic reactions to weed pollen. If you're one of them, you might be wondering what you can do to make your life with weed pollen allergy a little easier. This article will help you learn more about weed pollen allergy, from the allergy symptoms to look out for to potential treatment options.

Let's start by defining what a weed is. A weed is simply a plant that grows where it's not wanted. Weeds can be found almost anywhere - in gardens, lawns, fields, meadows, roadsides, and even in forests.

While there are many types of weeds, common types in Canada that can cause allergies include: ragweed, dock weed, sheep sorrel, goldenrod, lamb’s quarters, mugwort, mustards, nettle, plantain, russian thistle, sagebrush.

Weed allergy is an allergic reaction to weed pollen. Weed pollen is the male fertilizing agent of weeds. Weed pollen is also a major allergen that can cause symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever.

While there are many types of weeds, common types in Canada that can cause allergies include: ragweed, dock weed, sheep sorrel, goldenrod, lamb’s quarters, mugwort, mustards, nettle, plantain, russian thistle, sagebrush.

Weed allergy is an allergic reaction to weed pollen. Weed pollen is the male fertilizing agent of weeds. Weed pollen is also a major allergen that can cause symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever.

Let's start by defining what a weed is. A weed is simply a plant that grows where it's not wanted. Weeds can be found almost anywhere - in gardens, lawns, fields, meadows, roadsides, and even in forests.

While there are many types of weeds, common types in Canada that can cause allergies include: ragweed, dock weed, sheep sorrel, goldenrod, lamb’s quarters, mugwort, mustards, nettle, plantain, russian thistle, sagebrush.

Weed allergy is an allergic reaction to weed pollen. Weed pollen is the male fertilizing agent of weeds. Weed pollen is also a major allergen that can cause symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever.

These antibodies remain in your blood, ready to defend your body in case you come into contact with weed pollen again.

If you've developed an allergy, next time your immune system identifies weed pollen, it sets off a chain of chemical reactions resulting in an allergic response. The allergic response is the weed allergy symptoms you're likely familiar with.

Weed pollen allergy symptoms can vary from person to person, but common symptoms include:

• Stuffy nose (nasal congestion)
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Itchy nose
• Post-nasal drip (the feeling of mucus moving down the back of your throat)

Weed pollen allergy symptoms can be similar to symptoms of a cold. But there are some differences between weed pollen allergy symptoms and cold symptoms to be aware of. For example, clear mucus is likely to be associated with hay fever. Yellow mucus, a raised temperature and aching muscles are typically cold symptoms.

A less common symptom of weed pollen allergy may occur when your skin comes into contact with certain weeds. Some weeds can cause an allergic reaction that leads to a contact dermatitis-type of rash. Ragweed for example, can cause a rash in some people. The rash is itchy and red and it typically appears behind the ears, on the face, neck, and on the crease where your elbow is. Ragweed rash is a type of airborne contact dermatitis because the skin is exposed to the allergens suspended in air.

Weed pollen allergy symptoms can be similar to symptoms of a cold. But there are some differences between weed pollen allergy symptoms and cold symptoms to be aware of. For example, clear mucus is likely to be associated with hay fever. Yellow mucus, a raised temperature and aching muscles are typically cold symptoms.

A less common symptom of weed pollen allergy may occur when your skin comes into contact with certain weeds. Some weeds can cause an allergic reaction that leads to a contact dermatitis-type of rash. Ragweed for example, can cause a rash in some people. The rash is itchy and red and it typically appears behind the ears, on the face, neck, and on the crease where your elbow is. Ragweed rash is a type of airborne contact dermatitis because the skin is exposed to the allergens suspended in air.

3. Wear sunglasses and a hat when going outdoors during the weed pollen season. This can help to reduce weed pollen getting in your eyes and hair.

4. If you experience an allergic rash from coming into contact with some weeds, try to avoid walking through weed-filled areas if you can. If you can't avoid them, then try to cover your skin as much as possible by wearing socks and long trousers.

5. Get to know where the troublesome weeds are in your local area and avoid those places if you can. Bear in mind though that a lot of weeds are pollinated by the wind, which can carry the weed pollen grains far and wide.

6. Clean your house regularly to get rid of any weed pollen that may have accumulated. A damp cloth may help get rid of weed pollen grains. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter on your soft furnishings and curtains as well as carpets and rugs.

7. Wash outdoor clothes and your bed linen with hot water regularly. In periods of high weed pollen levels, it's advisable to dry your laundry indoors if you have the space to do so.

4. If you experience an allergic rash from coming into contact with some weeds, try to avoid walking through weed-filled areas if you can. If you can't avoid them, then try to cover your skin as much as possible by wearing socks and long trousers.

5. Get to know where the troublesome weeds are in your local area and avoid those places if you can. Bear in mind though that a lot of weeds are pollinated by the wind, which can carry the weed pollen grains far and wide.

6. Clean your house regularly to get rid of any weed pollen that may have accumulated. A damp cloth may help get rid of weed pollen grains. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter on your soft furnishings and curtains as well as carpets and rugs.

7. Wash outdoor clothes and your bed linen with hot water regularly. In periods of high weed pollen levels, it's advisable to dry your laundry indoors if you have the space to do so.

If you're going outside during the weed pollen season, wear sunglasses and a hat to help keep the weed pollen out of your eyes and hair.

Weed pollen might be responsible if your mouth or throat itches when you eat certain raw fruit or vegetables, seeds, or nuts. This is called oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen food syndrome (PFS), which can happen when your immune system confuses the proteins in the food for the proteins in the specific weed pollen. It's also known as cross-reactivity. For example, when you're allergic to ragweed you can have a local reaction in your mouth, face and throat when eating melon.

Oral allergy syndrome can be confused with food allergies as some of the symptoms may be similar.

Oral allergy syndrome can cause mild localized symptoms such as an itchy or tingling mouth, face, tongue or throat. It rarely triggers severe systemic allergic reactions, that’s when an allergic reaction affects your whole body. But it's important to know if you have oral allergy syndrome or a food allergy so you can manage it correctly.

If you don’t know if you are having oral allergy syndrome symptoms or a severe systemic allergic reaction to any foods, talk to your doctor. If you have any symptoms while eating nuts, it's important to see a doctor. Nuts are more likely to cause serious allergic reactions that need immediate medical attention.