It’s been a good growing season for weeds and that means a bad time for some allergy sufferers.

For most people the end of August means the end of summer but for allergy suffers it’s the start of ragweed season.

“Oh itchy nose, itchy eyes; my son right now is going crazy,” says Kailee Strength.

Most people turn to pharmacies for over the counter relief.

“We’re definitely noticing we’ve been a lot busier than normal,” says pharmacist Kevin McCarthy.

McCarthy says a wetter than normal summer usually works in favour of allergy sufferers but not always.

“Rain washes away some of the allergens which helps in some ways but when you get extra growth it’s harmful to allergy patients.”

The Strength family says it’s been tougher than normal.

“I believe it, the pollen has been crazy. My eyes have been itchy.”

So what’s the best we can hope for? Allergist David Fischer says a cold end to summer would help.

“Studies with ragweed pollen have shown that the colder it is the lesser they pollinate. So if they pollinate first thin in the morning and you’ve had a very cold overnight that will discourage pollen formation or pollen release.”

But there is some good news for ragweed sufferers, a new oral pill should be on the market by 2015 which would replace a needle they currently have to get for relief.