2023-07-20 17:59:35
The Public Health Department of the Lanaudière Integrated Health and Social Services Center (CISSS) recalls that, each year, several thousand Lanaudière residents suffer from seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever.
Ragweed pollen, produced from mid-July to October, is the main cause of this allergy. By controlling the plant and its pollen, the state of health of many people is improved and it allows them to have a better quality of life, a better ability to do their tasks, their studies, their work, etc. It is therefore the whole of society that benefits.
Symptoms of seasonal rhinitis
The symptoms of ragweed allergy are mainly felt in the nose and eyes: tingling, repetitive sneezing, congestion and runny nose, etc. Breathing problems can also appear, and asthma can get worse in people who already have it. To learn more regarding hay fever and the means of protection and prevention, consult the section Seasonal rhinitis (hay fever) from the Quebec.ca website.
If you have questions regarding your health, dial 811 to contact Info-Santé. If the symptoms get worse or if they seriously interfere with daily activities and quality of life, a medical consultation may be necessary.
Two key times in the Lanaudière region: mid-July and mid-August
It is recommended to uproot or mow ragweed plants at two key times: once in mid-July, to prevent the first production of pollen, and a second time in mid-August, to prevent regrowth and a second bloom. Ragweed is uprooted well, by hand, without special protection. It is best to throw the uprooted and cut plants in the trash, because the ragweed seeds might “contaminate” the compost and start the cycle once more. It is important to know that ragweed is an annual plant: cutting it in one year will reduce the pollen in the air that year only. It is therefore necessary that the maintenance of ragweed be done repeatedly, annually, to obtain effective control.
Places to target
It is necessary to act first near the dwellings, because the major part of the pollen does not travel beyond 800 meters. It is also necessary to prioritize the preferred sites for this weed: along the shoulder of asphalt roads, streets and sidewalks, on construction sites, vacant lots, sites in industrial zones, snow dump sites, etc.
For more information, see the section Recognizing and Limiting Ragweed of the Québec.ca website and the Guide to the management and control of ragweed and other allergenic pollens published by the Department of Health and Social Services.
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