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The impact of pollution and climate change on the environment and human health is a serious concern across world. Today allergies are the most common problem, but as the climate change to pollen season i.e. spring, summer and fall, it will make it more severe resulting hay fever, asthma, weakens immune system against respiratory virus, hampering daily routine life. Recent reports also suggest that the “time duration” of this season and the amount of pollen grains has been significantly increased in North America.

How climate change in pollen season affecting our health?

Climatic changes may impact pollen seasons of grasses, plants and weeds by increasing the amount of pollen produced and the duration of the pollen season.  Alterations in the pollen seasons thus affect allergic disorders such as hay fever, asthma and conjunctivitis Populations who are mostly affected from these health effects include adults and children, those having preexisting disease like asthma. It is also reported, that the concentration of pollen grains has been increased to 20.9% in normal season to 21.5% in the spring season and 40% of children and 30% of adults are allergy affected in US

According to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 19.2 million adults have been diagnosed with hay fever or an allergic reaction to pollen, when come into contact with nose, eyes, mouth and throat.

It is reported in Texas and Midwestern United States, that prolonged pollen season and warm temperature constantly increases pollen production. Although the reason is not much clear, but it might be because the plant species found in these places are producing more pollens due to its sensitive behavior towards warm temperature. Rising temperatures thus lead to longer allergy seasons, which in turn cause more allergies and asthma attacks.

William Anderegg, an assistant professor of biology, University of Utah, published a study in journal PNAS, that the climate and pollen season that increase the pollen production. Authors also reported that these climatic changes have an effect on health, causing allergies, asthma and respiratory health issues. 

What is pollen and pollen allergy? 

Pollens are the fine powder, produced from the plants such as flowers, grasses, weeds etc., which releases into the air or wind, that help to fertilize other plants. Pollens triggered the allergic reaction, when the individual’s immune system mistakenly recognize and attack, these harmless substance i.e. pollen, as a harmful substances, thus causing allergic reaction. The symptoms includes sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, increased asthmatic reactions, cough, nasal congestion, sinus pressure etc. Several hundred plants release pollen, causing severe allergic reaction. The most common type of allergy that occur from different plants includes grass, oak, ragweed and birch.

• Grass pollen allergy

Grass pollen releases during summer, trigger allergies, causing severe symptoms which is sometimes difficult to treat. As per the reports, allergy shots can be helpful to reduce symptoms. 

• Oak pollen allergy

Oak trees pollen releases into the air during the spring time, causing mild allergy as compared to other.

• Ragweed pollen allergy

Ragweed plants are the main common occurring allergies, which are found to be more in late spring season to mild winters. Pollens are released in winds and travel to hundred miles. 

• Birch pollen allergy

Birch pollen is one of the most common airborne allergy during spring. It is considered to be major cause of allergy in UK.

Helpful Tips to manage allergies 

• Visit doctor who are allergy specialist like immunologists, to know about your allergy status.
• Keep yourself indoor rather than outdoor during climate change. 
• Reports suggest that some of the people who are pollen allergic are also food allergic. Like, those who are birch pollen allergic, are also allergic to foods like hazelnuts.
• Over-the-counter medication can be helpful E.g.  Nasal spray and anti-histamine like cetirizine and many other medicines are also available, which can be taken on doctor’s advice. Sometimes allergy shots are also helpful, when medicines are not working properly. 

As the climate change to Pollen season, pollen will induce seasonal allergies causing many unwanted and frustrating symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes etc., which can interrupt the everyday activities. These problems however, can overcome by a little bit change in Lifestyle and sometimes medications can help reduce these symptoms on doctors’ advice.