Pollen Attack: The Rise of Environmental Allergies

No matter where you live, there’s more pollen in the air. The causes are many, but studies point to climate change as a primary contributor. Warmer temperatures mean allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer. According to a recent study, pollen season increased by 20 days annually between 1990 and 2018, while pollen concentrations in North America increased 21% during the same time. Due to more intense rainfall, plants are releasing more pollen. Add to that extreme weather events that cause pollen grains to burst, and you’ve got an environment loaded with allergens.

Ironically, it’s urbanites who are feeling it most. Urban landscapes create “heat islands,” meaning trees turn green earlier and stay that way longer, producing more pollen. Adding insult to injury, poor town planning shows many cities planted male-only trees to avoid the mess from fruits, seeds and pods. What they forgot is that with no female trees to accept the pollen, the only place for it to go is the air.

But the most potent offender is air pollution. Higher levels of pollution can interact with pollen making it more allergenic. According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Public Health, air pollution aggravates the allergenicity of pollen by changing its elemental composition, causing pollen to release more airborne sub-pollen particles and increasing total pollen count.

So what should you expect from a “normal allergy season,” and what are the symptoms that may occur during that time? Schweiger Dermatology Group allergist Dr. Susanna Silverman says to expect longer seasons. Pollen allergies start in early spring (from late February to early March) and extend through early summer and into fall, lasting more than half the year. That’s a long haul for those allergic to pollen.

Here Dr. Silverman answers our questions about the increase in pollen counts, factors behind the rise and, most importantly, effective allergy treatments to consider.

Have you seen an uptick in pollen allergies? If so, what’s causing this?

I have seen increasing numbers of patients with symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis in recent years. There are many possible factors causing this: The pollen seasons have lengthened due to climate change, starting earlier and ending later than in the past. In addition, pollen levels are up, likely due to increased growth related to higher average temperatures and more rainfall.

Is allergy season longer than in the past?

Allergy season is lasting longer due to climate change, with increasing temperatures and rainfall leading to more growth of trees, grasses and weeds that release pollen into the air.

Do you think living in an urban area contributes to allergies?

Living in an urban area can exacerbate symptoms of allergic rhinitis due to higher levels of air pollutants, as well as slightly higher temperatures in cities compared to rural areas. In addition, population-wide, there may be an increasing rate of allergic rhinitis and other types of allergies because of our overly hygienic environments. The hygiene hypothesis has identified modern hygiene measures and lack of contact with the natural world as possible contributors to increasing allergies in our population.

How do you advise patients dealing with pollen allergies?

During pollen season, it’s wise to shower after being outside, keep windows closed and use a HEPA filter in the home. Medications such as antihistamines and nasal sprays can help to manage symptoms. If these measures don’t help, consider seeing an allergist for testing and discussion of other treatment options, such as allergy shots.

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