Pollen alarm in Zwickau: Grass and ragweed are a problem for allergy sufferers!

Pollen alarm in Zwickau: Grass and ragweed are a problem for allergy sufferers!

Today, on September 17, 2025, the pollen count in Zwickau is only affected by a weak level of grass and ragweed, reported news.de. With light rain and a fresh wind, the humidity is moderate and the weather is pleasant with temperatures around 16 °C. These conditions are particularly challenging for pollen allergy sufferers. Typical symptoms include watery eyes, sneezing and breathing problems.

The current pollen measurement network of the German Weather Service shows that there is currently no pollution from alder, birch, rye, mugwort, hazel and ash. Grasses and ragweed, on the other hand, are affected by little to no pollution. The main flowering period of the grasses is between May and August, with June being the most intense month. Ambrosia, also known as ragweed, blooms between August and October and is known for its extremely allergenic pollen.

The challenge of ambrosia

The spread of ragweed is a serious issue for pollen allergy sufferers. Loud Pharmacy survey Their pollen has a five times higher allergy potential than that of grasses. In addition to hay fever, they can also cause allergic asthma attacks and skin reactions. People who already react to common mugwort are particularly at risk because of high levels of cross-reactivity.

Ambrosia is an immigrant plant from North America that has also gained a foothold in Europe over the last two decades. Their pollen can be distributed until the first frost and can be transported over long distances. A single plant can produce thousands of seeds that remain viable for years. It thrives particularly well in sunny locations with little vegetation, such as fallow land or new development areas. The main route of distribution through bird food also contributed to the spread.

Symptoms and treatment of ragweed allergies

Allergy sufferers who react to ragweed often experience symptoms such as a runny nose, itching, sneezing, red and itchy eyes, and even difficulty concentrating and fatigue.

Diagnosis is usually made using classic allergy tests and anamnesis. In addition to standard allergy tablets, treatment options also include antihistamines and cortisone nasal sprays. An effective measure to strengthen the nasal mucosa are air purifiers with HEPA filters and nasal rinses with saline solutions. Raising awareness through desensitization can also be a helpful option.

It is important to note that when controlling ragweed, early removal before flowering is recommended, with flowering plants belonging to general waste. According to that My allergy portal Damage to the nasal mucosa caused by viral infections or pollutants is an additional burden for allergy sufferers.

Given the current pollen levels, city dwellers should ventilate regularly - ideally in the early morning or evening - and plan their outdoor activities accordingly to minimize exposure. If you have further questions about pollen counts, I recommend consulting the pollen count danger index from the German Weather Service or the weekly pollen forecast from the German Pollen Information Service Foundation.