Research Reveals Climate Change Causes Increase In Pollen Allergy

If you remembered a bit of elementary science, you'd know that trees and plants fertilize ovules with the help of pollens. While this is some sort of everyday miracle, many are not marveling at the magic of plant reproduction -- instead, they are dreading the allergies that come during spring.

In a gist, pollen makes people sick becuase their immune system attacks them like parasites. Speaking with National Geographic, Leonard Bielory, an allergy specialist at Rutgers University Center of Environmental Prediction, some people's immune system recognize the protein sequence in pollen as something similar to protein sequence in parasites, so their bodies try to expel these pollens in a form of allegry.

Pollen allergies first appeared during the time of the industrial revolution -- and whether or not it means allergies are a product of pollution, new diets, or change in hygiene, nothing is clear. However, what is clear is that climate change has a role in the increase of pollen allergies.

Charles W. Schmidt wrote on Environmental Health Persepctives that when plants are put in warmer temperatures, they grow vigorously and produce more pollen than they normally do, so warmer temperatures in places like the Northern United States extend the the time that plants release pollen. As the temperature continues to climb, the amount of pollen in the air will also increase.

This is bad news for everyone. Bielory shared that people who have pollen allergies could have intensified symptoms, while people who don't may start developing them as well -- during most of the year. In spring, pollen allergies come from trees. In summer, they come from grass, and in the beginning of fall, from pollinating weeds.

There are natural ways to deal with pollen allergies. Among these are to stay clean, avoid pollens by keeping windows closed and only going out when counts are lower, like after rains. However, if the natural remedies don't work, over-the-counter medication may be necessary.