Allergies are a growing health concern in both developed and developing countries, influenced by a combination of environmental and host factors such as race, genetics, age, and gender. World Allergy Week, observed from June 23 to June 29 each year, focuses on discussing strategies to reduce allergy risks and boost immunity.
Climate change plays a crucial role in increasing the prevalence of allergies worldwide. Dr. P. Venkata Krishnan, Sr. Consultant, Internal Medicine at Artemis Hospital Gurugram, emphasized, “Climate change is a significant environmental challenge that has wide-ranging effects on health, including the prevalence and severity of allergies. Understanding the connection between climate change and allergies is necessary for managing and mitigating its impact on public health.”
Dr. Sunita Chhapola Shukla, Founder and Director of Mumbai Allergy Centre and Head of Dept, Allergy Sciences at Sir HN Reliance Hospital, added, “Allergic diseases are on the rise in India due to factors like industrialization, urbanization, and lifestyle changes. Pollution is related to allergic diseases like allergic rhinitis, asthma, conjunctivitis, and skin diseases. Pollutants cause oxidative stress, leading to inflammation and hyper-reactivity of the airways, resulting in symptoms like sneezing, runny and itchy nose, cough, wheezing, and itchy, watery eyes.”
Climate Change and Allergies: Key Relationships
Longer and More Intense Pollen Seasons:
Climate change has led to longer and more intense pollen seasons. Rising global temperatures and heightened CO₂ levels result in extended growing seasons for plants, leading to prolonged periods of pollen production. Additionally, higher CO₂ levels stimulate plants to produce more pollen, which can trigger allergic reactions in more people.
Increased Pollen Potency:
Higher CO₂ levels can enhance the allergenicity of pollen grains, meaning they contain higher concentrations of proteins that trigger allergic reactions. This increased potency can lead to more severe symptoms in people with respiratory allergies, such as allergic rhinitis and asthma.
Changes in Allergen Distribution:
Warmer temperatures enable certain allergenic plants to grow in new regions, exposing people to allergens they were not previously subjected to. This shift in geographical distribution means that new populations may start experiencing allergic reactions.
Impact on Indoor Allergens:
Climate change also affects indoor allergens. Increased humidity and warmer temperatures create favorable conditions for mold growth and dust mites, common indoor allergens. More intense and frequent storms and flooding, driven by climate change, can cause water damage in homes, promoting mold growth and exacerbating symptoms for people with indoor allergies and asthma.
Understanding these links between climate change and allergies is crucial for developing effective public health strategies. Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated effort to mitigate climate change and reduce exposure to allergens, ultimately improving health outcomes for people worldwide.