Sneezing Much in Minnesota Lately? We Now Know Why

If you've been sneezing a lot lately and dealing with watery eyes and other allergy symptoms, we now know why that is here in Minnesota.

One of the best parts about living here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is that we routinely get to experience all four seasons. Except for maybe last year, when we didn't really get much of a winter, that is.

But now that the calendar has flipped from July into August, all those late summer events and activities are beginning to start in earnest here in the Bold North:

The Minnesota Vikings are holding their annual training camp in Eagan
The Minnesota State Fair starts its yearly run on Thursday, August 22nd
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival starts its annual run on Saturday, August 17th
Corn on the cob is becoming much more popular, thanks to all that fresh sweet corn that's available
Kids are getting ready to head back to school

But while all those events are typically things we look forward to (though maybe not that last one, if you're a student) one other late summer event is ALSO now in full swing here in the North Star State:

Ragweed pollen season is now here again in Minnesota. And, if you have seasonal allergies, this year might be even more miserable, as pollen counts for ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) are already increasing, a trend that started over 15 years ago.

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Here's why you might already be experiencing congestion and sneezing, a runny nose, or itchy, watery eyes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that ragweed plants mature in mid-summer and produce small flowers that generate pollen. Ragweed pollen season usually peaks in late summer and early fall, but these plants can sometimes continue to produce pollen until our first frost.

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The EPA says that over 15 percent of Minnesotans (roughly 750,000 of us) are sensitive to ragweed. A single ragweed plant can produce up to a billion pollen grains in one season, which are then carried long distances by the wind. Other weed and grass pollens combined with ragweed make this the most extreme allergy season, the Richfield Medical Group notes.

The EPA also noted that the ragweed season has been increasing, and is now 18 days longer than it was in 2010. Ragweed pollen is already impacting various areas of Minnesota this year. The 15-day Allergy Forecast from the Weather Channel is either in the moderate or very high category for much of the next two weeks.

There are a few things you can do to help ease those seasonal allergies, according to weather.com. And keep scrolling to see when the typical first frost dates are for cities across Minnesota when ragweed pollen goes away!

Shower after being outdoors. To remove pollen you pick up outside, take a shower and change your clothes.
Minimize indoor pollen. Keep your windows shut and use your AC or a HEPA purifier to filter allergens.
Check the weather. Learn when conditions such as the wind increase pollen levels, so you can prepare.
Know your allergy relief options. From medications to nasal sprays, talk to your doctor about your options.