WASHINGTON -- Ragweed season is about two weeks early, and experts said allergy sufferers will not have an easy time this year.

Living in the nation's capital only makes the sneezing and wheezing worse. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America ranks the D.C. area as one of the nation's 100 worst areas for allergies, even though ragweed is found in the countryside.

"Pollens can travel up to 400 miles by the wind, so even if you're in an urban development without any greenery around you, if there is a ragweed plant within 400 miles, you're still susceptible to symptoms," said Angel Waldron of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

Whether it's over-the-counter medicines or getting an allergy shot, experts said it's important to have a plan and be proactive when it comes to allergies and not let them rule your life.

"All of the symptoms of ADD can be induced by allergies, by having a stuffy nose and not being able to sleep well so kids can't concentrate in school. They're not getting enough rest. They become a little bit scatterbrained," said Dr. Martha White of the Institute of Asthma and Allergy. "Adults can have the same problems, and it's an easy thing to fix if you go on your medications early."

White said the worst is yet to come for hay fever sufferers. The first two weeks of September are the most intense for ragweed and pollen.