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Dry Weather Means Allergies Are Here To Stay

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Fall may be just around the corner, but one of the big allergy triggers of late summer will likely stick around for a while.

According to the AccuWeather Fall Allergy Outlook, the dry weather we've been having may extend ragweed season in our area.

Typically symptoms from exposure to ragweed would start to subside around Labor Day.

But Dr. Deborah Gentile told KDKA, "This year is a bit different because of the dryness. Patients should expect a long season. They should expect two to four more weeks of symptoms."

The symptoms are runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and congestion.

Elizabeth Easley, a mom from Ross Township told KDKA she and her daughter suffer from severe allergy symptoms.

"It totally disrupts school," she said. "Constant allergies, sneezing, coughing, medication, antibiotics."

Unlike many other plants that emit pollen, ragweed waits until the days get shorter. Each one can produce 1 billion grains of pollen.

"If you look along the highway, you're out driving, out walking in parks, you can see it's everywhere," said Dr. Gentile.

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