Itchy nose, watery eyes, runny nose and drainage down the back of your throat are signs you are allergic to ragweed pollen. It's also means a tough hay fever season is ahead.

Doctor Mark Huftel with the Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center says if the weather is dry, ragweed numbers are expected to be off the charts this season. The allergist says pollen levels over 50 are considered high. As of this Tuesday, Wausau is at 63. But there are ways to find relief without having to rely on strong medications.

"Keeping your windows closed, running your air conditioning instead of putting fans in windows but if your out an about your going to be exposed," said Dr. Mark Huftel, Allergist at Marshfield Clinic in Wausau.

He says prescriptions like Flonase and Nasonex also help keep away symptoms.

The way Marshfield Clinic tests pollen levels for the public and Newschannel 7, is by collecting pollen in the air on it's rooftop of the Marshfield Clinic Wausau Center with rods you see here.

The allergist says they test the ragweed levels over the last 24 hours. He says until we get some significant rainfall, those who suffer from ragweed allergies won't find relief anytime soon.