Battling Rising Allergies: How Climate Change Is Impacting Your Health and What Clinicians Can Do About It

As climate change worsens, seasonal allergies are becoming a bigger problem. Rising temperatures lead to more heatwaves, wildfires, and droughts, all of which can affect our health. Studies show that the environment isn’t the only thing taking a hit; allergies and asthma rates are climbing, impacting many people’s lives.

According to the American Public Health Association, air pollution, mold, and pollen are significant allergy triggers. About 30% of adults and 40% of children in the U.S. suffer from nasal allergies. These numbers indicate a growing issue.

Experts gathered at the 2025 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology’s yearly meeting discussed how climate change is making allergy symptoms worse. Here’s what they found:

Pollen Seasons are Getting Longer

Dr. Sharmilee Nyenhuis from the University of Chicago highlighted that pollen seasons are stretching longer in areas like the western United States. This means more days of exposure to allergens, which can heighten allergy symptoms and even lead to new allergies. Air pollution, particularly from vehicles, can make pollen more dangerous, intensifying reactions.

Pollution’s Impact on Health

Dr. Mahboobeh Mahdavinia, from the University of Texas, shared that pollution can harm the respiratory system. It disrupts the natural barriers in our airways, causing inflammation and unhealthy shifts in the bacteria that live there. This means that harmful microbes can more easily thrive, leading to a higher chance of developing allergies.

New Trends in Food Allergies

Dr. Scott Commins pointed out a curious connection between pollen and food allergies, known as pollen food syndrome. Pollen can interact with our bodies in ways that trigger allergic reactions to certain foods. He also mentioned the rise of alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy linked to bites from specific ticks. Warmer winters have led to a surge in tick populations, with more cases popping up across the globe.

Taking Action

Given these challenges, doctors are urging more proactive measures. They recommend improving allergy tests and making treatments like immunotherapy more accessible. By staying informed and prepared, healthcare providers can better protect patients from the increasing risk of allergies caused by a changing climate.

It’s a complex scenario, but understanding these connections can help us adapt to a world where allergies are an everyday issue. Stay tuned for more developments, as this conversation evolves and new strategies are explored.

For further insights, see the reports from the American Public Health Association and other studies that reflect the growing impact of climate change on our health.

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