An allergy expert predicts this will be a record ragweed season in New Jersey.
 

Dr. Leonard Bielory is an allergy specialist at the Rutgers Center for Environmental Prediction.  He says ragweed pollen in the Garden State began causing trouble about a week earlier than usual and is on the rise.

“It looks like it’s going to be a real bumper crop to end the summer. It has been in the mild to moderate, and it’s going to go into moderate and severe starting now.”

Ragweed pollen can cause itchiness, sneezing and watery eyes for people with allergies.

Bielory says eye drops can provide some relief.

“There are some over the counter. You can start with those, but if in two to three days they’re not working they’re not going to work. They should not try to persist. Go to see an allergist or another health care specialist to address the concerns who can target therapies.”

The ragweed season normally lasts two to three weeks, but Bielory says this year it could last six to eight weeks.