By 2050, around 50% of the world’s population will be allergic to pollen. Climate change is to blame

Every year, spring brings the flowering of plants, which seem to come back to life after their winter dormancy. This process involves the release of enormous quantities of pollen grains that travel through the air and cause allergic reactions – sneezing, itchy eyes, headaches, fatigue or asthma – in millions of people.

We have springs that are getting longer and closer to winter. This is a problem for those with allergies because the plants are more active for longer. But the rise in thermometers, which most experts attribute to climate change, not only prolongs the pollination periods of many species, but also allows the colonization of new geographic areas by invasive species.

Global warming is also associated with the appearance of allergies associated with extreme phenomena, such as forest fires or storms. For example, a new type of allergic asthma has been described that presents with very severe exacerbation episodes during thunderstorms, while the patient remains relatively asymptomatic the rest of the time. The cause, experts explain, is that the sudden changes in humidity and barometric pressure that occur during thunderstorms cause pollen grains to first swell and then explode, producing a massive release of pollen fragments.

Another relevant factor is high pollution, which contributes to pollen retention in the air and causes more exaggerated responses from patients’ immune systems, increasing asthma symptoms by up to 30% in people allergic to grasses. Doctors say that it is precisely the combination of greater air pollution and higher temperatures that explains the exponential increase in respiratory allergies in recent decades. In fact, the increase is so pronounced that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2050, 50% of the world’s population will be allergic to pollen.

But seasonal allergies aren’t the only problem. Although less studied, it is reasonable to think that climate change also affects the growth patterns of dust mites, fungi and other microorganisms, and that these changes will also have an impact on allergy patients, making respiratory infections more frequent.

However, it’s not all bad news. As cases of conjunctivitis, rhinitis and allergic asthma caused by dust mites and pollens increased – as well as those caused by food, medicines and atopic dermatitis – the available therapeutic arsenal also grew and improved. This includes everything from immunotherapy to next-generation biologics.

Allergists agree that the Easter rains and subsequent high temperatures likely resulted in a higher concentration of pollen, dust mites and fungi in the environment. Patients clearly noticed this effect. Therefore, the important thing is to follow a series of recommendations to protect yourself.

The first is to have a proper diagnosis, which is essential to know which pollen causes the allergy and how to treat it. Then, avoid exposure as much as possible, especially on sunny days after rainy days.