As the heat persists through August in Savannah, Ga., many Americans find their allergy symptoms intensifying. Ragweed, mold, and other late-summer allergens can easily ruin a pleasant day with constant sneezing. In the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry, allergens are a year-round challenge.

Allergy specialist at Prime Care in Pooler, Dr. Neha Kharod said, “Mother nature doesn’t believe in seasons here, it’s always pollen season.”

Ragweed pollen has the ability to drift for miles, so even if ragweed isn’t growing nearby, it’s likely present in the air. The summer’s thunderstorms and high humidity also create an ideal environment for mold spores to flourish.

“Freshwater humidity also contributes not just to the plant life itself, but we get a lot of mold blooms here,” said Kharod said.

Although August is coming to an end, those suffering from allergies will find little relief moving forward. Kharod points out that while the type of pollen may vary with the seasons, allergens linger far longer than many expect.

“Pollen never fully disappears. Even now, tree pollen is in the air. The proportion of different pollens shifts, but none of them fully vanish. As temperatures and weather change, new allergens emerge, but the old ones don’t completely fade away.”

So how can you protect yourself? Kharod recommends monitoring the pollen count daily, keeping windows closed, and washing up after time outdoors.

“Make sure to wash thoroughly when you come inside,” she advised. “If you’re entering the house at day’s end, it’s best to change out of your clothes immediately and take a shower, putting on clean clothes afterwards.”

It’s also important to remember that activities like mowing the lawn or exercising outdoors can stir up allergens. Keep an eye on allergy forecasts to make it easier to breathe.

As of Tuesday, the pollen count remains moderate for this week.