Dr. Max Gomez: Fight Fall Allergies Before They Start

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- As summer winds down, it's a good time to start fighting your fall allergies before they hit.

As CBS2's Dr. Max Gomez explained, ragweed is the culprit.

The frilly green plants growing by the side of the road with the golden array of flowers on top are about to explode and release trillions of misery producing pollen grains into the air.

"It's sneezing, runny nose, soar throat, itchiness everywhere. There have actually been times where I have been bed bound if I didn't have medication," Dani Dumitriu said.

The American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology said if you suffer from ragweed allergies like Dani, now is the critical time to start taking medications like antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops even if you aren't experiencing symptoms yet.

"People wait too long and they wait until they are very symptomatic, and they start taking medicines, but you are kind of behind the eight ball," Dr. Beth Corn, Mount Sinai Hospital said.

Ragweed season typically starts in August and lasts into September or October.

Experts said most people who are allergic to spring plants often react to ragweed.

"It turns out with global warming and just climate changes, the allergy season is now longer," Dr. Corn said.

Dani takes over the counter medications, but that hasn't been enough to keep her allergies in check. She also started getting allergy shots 3 months ago.

"I actually think they have controlled my symptoms. There is just no point in suffering," She said.

Experts also recommend continuing medications for a few weeks after the first frost because ragweed pollen can linger even if it's not in the air.

If you really suffer during allergy season, go see a board certified allergist to help you decide which medications you need.

Keep windows closed can help reduce exposure, and changing your clothes and rinsing off when you come inside can help get rid of pollen.