Pollen vortex II may be on the way.

• Position: Allergens

Ragweed pollen likely will join grass pollen to create a second pollen vortex for allergy sufferers this summer. So, those hoping to survive a perfect storm of elevated tree and grass pollen during the next several weeks should prepare for a second wave of overlapping allergens.

"Nobody's talking about this yet but, based on the way the climate has been behaving, we're likely to experience a second pollen vortex when the grass pollen and the ragweed pollen begin to overlap, starting late July and August," says Joan Lehach, an integrative medicine physician specializing in allergy, asthma, and clinical immunology at Montefiore Medical Center, New York. "Because ragweed pollen creates such a strong allergic reaction, many people are going to get really sick, much worse than with Pollen Vortex I, when these two pollens overlap."

Lehach offers a few suggestions on how those with pollen allergies can breathe a little easier. For instance, if you live in a suburban area, keep your grass short and have someone else mow it. If you are going to do yard duty, wear a well-fitting allergy mask. Do not hang your wash to dry outside because pollen bonds to fabric.

Pollen counts are the highest in the early morning, between 5 a.m.-10 a.m., so if you do outdoor activities like jogging, avoid that time frame.

Rootology, a mixture of...