If you feel like your seasonal allergies are getting worse every year, you're not imagining things. Scientists have found that several factors linked to climate change and environmental changes are making seasonal allergies more severe.
Let’s break down the reasons why this is happening and how it might affect you.
1. Longer Pollen Seasons
Climate change has caused warmer temperatures and shorter winters, which means plants are releasing pollen for longer periods. In North America, pollen seasons have lengthened by about 20 days over the past 30 years. This gives allergy sufferers more time to experience sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion.
2. Higher Pollen Levels
Not only are pollen seasons lasting longer, but the amount of pollen in the air is also increasing. Studies show that pollen concentrations have gone up by 21% in recent decades. Climate change plays a big role in this, as higher levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere help plants grow faster and produce more pollen.
3. Stronger Allergens
It’s not just the amount of pollen that’s increasing—the pollen itself is becoming more potent. Elevated CO2 levels and warmer temperatures can make pollen more allergenic, meaning it triggers stronger allergic reactions. For example, birch tree pollen from warmer climates has been shown to cause more severe symptoms.
4. Shifting Plant Ranges
As temperatures rise, plants that cause allergies, like ragweed, are spreading to new areas. For instance, ragweed, which is a major allergen, is expanding across Europe and causing health problems in places where it wasn’t common before.
5. More People Are Developing Allergies
The number of people experiencing allergies is also growing. In Denmark, for example, the percentage of people with allergic sensitization (a condition where the immune system reacts to allergens) nearly doubled from 16% in 1990 to 29% in 2015. This trend is happening worldwide, making seasonal allergies a more common issue.
6. Extreme Weather Makes Allergies Worse
Severe weather events like thunderstorms can intensify allergy symptoms. During storms, pollen grains can break apart into smaller particles, which can penetrate deeper into your lungs and cause more severe respiratory issues. This phenomenon is known as "thunderstorm asthma."
What Can You Do?
While we can’t stop climate change overnight, there are ways to manage seasonal allergies:
Track Pollen Levels: Use apps or weather reports to check pollen forecasts and plan outdoor activities accordingly.
Keep Windows Closed: Use air conditioning instead of opening windows to keep pollen out of your home.
Shower After Being Outside: This helps remove pollen from your skin and hair.
Talk to Your Doctor: Medications like antihistamines or nasal sprays can help manage symptoms. Big Trees MD offers allergy DROPS (yes, drops, not shots) called sublingual immunotheraphy (SLIT therapy) to retrain one's allergy response, read more HERE.
Seasonal allergies are no longer just a springtime inconvenience. Climate change is making them more intense and widespread, affecting millions of people worldwide. Understanding the connection between climate change and allergies can help us prepare and adapt to these changes.
Stay informed, take care of your health, and support efforts to combat climate change—it’s all connected!
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