Sneeze!
My friend and personal horticultural guru, Anelle Ammons, posted a picture of goldenrod in its full-bloom-glory recently and I shot back, “That’s why I’m sneezing!”
She quickly corrected me saying, “Negative! Goldenrod is spread by pollinators attached to the backs of bees and other flying insects. However, it gets a bad rap because, at the same time, our buddy ragweed is blooming. Ragweed, however, is wind pollinated; which means the pollen is all in the air and getting into your sinuses. Many people see the goldenrod and blame it, but it’s really ragweed season!”
The small green ragweed flowers look harmless next to the luxurious yellow blooming branches of goldenrod.
Sorry Goldenrod. I stand – and sneeze – corrected.
And, YOU, Ragweed … Aaaaaachhhew!
Over forty years here in North Carolina and I can’t remember ever suffering from significant fall allergies.
Of course, I have been on a two-month Allegra/Zyrtec holiday and have apparently been swimming in air born ragweed pollen unprotected. Egads!
You see, I all but live outside in the cooler, drier fall days.
Our morning coffee and biscotti are savored while watching the bird feeder by the firepit.
Breakfast? Outdoors.
Lunch? On the front porch.
Dinner? Back porch.
Even at night, we just recently hosted an outdoor party – ending up sitting around the fire pit roasting gluten free S’mores.
So, that sore, stiff neck was not from sleeping wrong with all the extra pillows propping me up to discourage reflux. Those were lymph nodes raging war against the intruders!
That torn up feeling at the back of my throat was not the latest victim of some offending acidic food causing a pepsin reflux reaction. That was part of a myriad of ragweed allergy symptoms.
Checking out the Cleveland Clinic’s site, here. I was checking all of the boxes.
Plus – my requisite body tenderness and muscle aches – those come with everything for me. No fever, though.
So, one precaution that’s frequently mentioned – if you need to go outdoors – shower and change clothes immediately afterwards. Right.
Nasal lavage with my trusty Neti Pot, adding Flonase as I returned to Allegra, taking Tylenol as needed, resting, staying hydrated, limiting outdoor time, and—perhaps most importantly—trying to maintain a positive attitude have collectively been my approach.
But – it’s still hard not to pout even when I know it’s better for me to remain inside.
Maybe the predicted rainfall will drop the pollen count for a bit, and we can go back outdoors!
Weeee!
In health –
Deidre … Achew!