---
title: "Moldova faces peak ragweed season as allergies surge "
url: https://moldova1.md/p/84504/moldova-faces-peak-ragweed-season-as-allergies-surge
published: 2026-09-03T06:30:00Z
language: en
author: "Gabriela Melnic"
section: "Social"
source: moldova1.md
---

# Moldova faces peak ragweed season as allergies surge 

> Health specialists in Moldova are warning residents against self-medication as peak ragweed pollination poses acute respiratory risks for an estimated 20 percent of the population across the country.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/d58bcd26-2c65-44c4-9556-33858777c633.jpg)

Health specialists in Moldova are warning residents against self-medication as peak ragweed pollination poses acute respiratory risks for an estimated 20 percent of the population across the country.

The critical pollination window spans August and September, though unseasonably high temperatures can prolong allergic reactions well into October. Because ragweed grains are microscopic, they penetrate deep into the lower respiratory tract, while clinging tenaciously to clothing, hair, and skin.

![](https://storage.moldova1.md/images/ad755da1-df6e-47c8-9f0c-6de3e736ad35.jpg)

**High pollen loads and environmental persistence**

*“A single plant can produce up to eight billion pollen grains, and its seeds can remain viable for up to 40 years,”* said allergist Cristina Toma during the “Zi de Bine” program on public broadcaster Moldova 1. *“For this reason, eradicating it is extremely difficult.”*

Clinical manifestations most frequently target the upper airways, producing nasal congestion, paroxysmal sneezing fits, severe itching, and copious clear rhinorrhea. Due to symptom overlap, patients frequently mistake allergic rhinitis for a common cold during the initial years of exposure.

*“Most patients confuse it with a cold, practically for the first three years,”* Toma said. *“Once they realize that it recurs during the exact same period several years in a row, they understand it is not a common cold.”*

**Preventive habits and medical precautions**

Medical experts advise sensitive individuals to minimize outdoor activities during peak pollen hours, keep residential windows closed, and rely on air conditioning. Returning indoors requires changing clothes immediately and showering to eliminate residual particles, while wet masks provide an effective mechanical barrier during prolonged walks.

*“In allergology, avoiding contact with the allergen is paramount,”* Toma noted. *“The greater the exposure, the more severe a subsequent allergic reaction can become.”*

Targeted treatment relies on non-sedative antihistamines and doctor-prescribed corticosteroid nasal sprays. Specialists warn against first-generation sedating antihistamines that impair driver reaction times, as well as unmonitored systemic steroid injections, which risk adverse complications without providing sustainable long-term control.

**Asthma complications and cross-reactivity**

Failure to manage the condition can lead to severe lower respiratory complications over time. Approximately 30 percent of patients suffering from ragweed rhinitis eventually develop asthma-like symptoms, including wheezing, dyspnea, and persistent coughing that require urgent professional evaluation.

Cross-reactive episodes, known as pollen food allergy syndrome, can also emerge when ragweed sufferers consume foods such as melons, cucumbers, or zucchini, triggering localized itching in the mouth and throat. Allergen-specific immunotherapy, administered either sublingually or subcutaneously under clinical supervision, remains the principal disease-modifying strategy.

*“I strongly urge patients with persistent and recurring symptoms to consult an allergist for clear guidance and an accurate treatment protocol,”* Toma concluded, cautioning against unverified alternative remedies.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**
***

[Video: https://trm.blob.core.windows.net/photos/be0d1249-8969-42de-857a-73c8c785982b.jpg](https://original.trm.md/video/definst/MP4:2026/9/2/ambrozia.mp4/playlist.m3u8)

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