In daily life, people often confuse pigweed with mugwort, but it is worth noting that mugwort does not cause allergies, while pigweed not only causes allergies but also poses a significant threat to crops, earning it the nickname "public nuisance weed".
The direct harm of pigweed to the human body comes from the pollen it releases after flowering.
The pollen of this weed contains water-soluble proteins that are rapidly released upon contact with humans, causing allergic reactions. It is the main pathogen causing autumn pollen allergy symptoms and can lead to the harmful "hay fever".
Mild cases can cause coughing and asthma, while severe cases can lead to emphysema, with recurring and worsening symptoms each year.
Therefore, experts remind us not to touch the flowering pigweed with trifoliate leaves! Trifoliate pigweed also poses a great threat to agriculture.
Due to its strong root system and large above-ground nutritional body, pigweed grows aggressively and competes with crops for water and nutrients. It releases various substances that have a significant inhibitory effect on cultivated crops and wild plants, quickly overwhelming local annual plants.
Pigweed pollen is the main pathogen causing a series of allergic reactions, known as hay fever.
The density of pigweed pollen particles in the air reaches 40-50 per cubic meter, which can cause hay fever (autumn pollen allergy) in the population.
Clinical symptoms of patients include itching of the eyes, ears, and nose, intermittent sneezing, runny nose, headache, and fatigue. Some may experience chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, and difficulty in breathing.
In long-term untreated cases, complications such as emphysema and pulmonary heart disease can occur, causing immense suffering and even death. Pigweed plants and pollen can also cause some individuals to develop allergic dermatitis and "eczema" all over their bodies.
