If you're sneezing earlier than usual this spring, yet you don't have a cold, you're not alone. Across British Columbia, people are noticing that allergy season is starting sooner, lasting longer, and affecting more people. A major reason for this is climate change - warmer temperatures and changing weather patterns are altering natural cycles.
Sneezing is one of the most common allergy symptoms, along with a runny or stuffy nose, itchy or watery eyes, itchy nose or ears, post-nasal drip (which can cause a mild sore throat), and mild fatigue (which can be exacerbated by drowsy-causing allergy medications).
The escalating impacts of climate change have long been witnessed by First Nations in BC because of their close relationships with the land. Rising temperatures, changing seasons, and more extreme weather all affect the environment, which in turns affects health and wellness in direct and indirect ways. For example, warmer conditions can increase air pollution and extend growing seasons, leading to higher pollen levels and worsening allergies.
How climate change is affecting allergies
- Longer and more intense pollen seasons: Higher carbon dioxide levels and warmer weather increase plant growth and pollen. Trees are budding earlier and grasses are staying active later into summer and fall.
- Migrating plants: Species that did not previously grow in some territories are now appearing, bringing new allergens with them.
- Wildfire smoke and mold: Smoke irritates the eyes, nose, and lungs, worsening allergies and triggering asthma. Damp conditions after heavy rains or flooding can lead to indoor and outdoor mold growth, impacting allergies, asthma and breathing.
Some people may be more impacted, particularly children, who may experience increased allergies or asthma flareups. The elderly and people with chronic lung conditions may be more sensitive to pollen and smoke. Outdoor activities, including gatherings, ceremonies, harvesting, and time on the land, may require more planning and consideration for individuals with allergies or asthma.
Tips to reduce symptoms
There are some tips that can help reduce symptoms and protect respiratory health:
- Check local pollen forecasts and air quality reports before spending long periods outdoors.
- Keep indoor air clean by closing windows on smoky or high‑pollen days and using air purifiers if available. A home-made Do-It-Yourself (DIY) air cleaner with box fans and furnace filters can also help improve air quality.
- If you need to use air conditioning, set the unit to the recirculate or the indoor cycles.
- Rinse off or change clothes after being outside during peak pollen times.
- Dry clothes inside, not outside, to avoid getting pollen on clothing.
- Wear a mask outside if needed.
- Consume foods with natural antihistamines, e,g., leafy greens, onions, garlic, ginger and citrus fruits.
- Seek medical care if breathing becomes difficult or symptoms worsen.
Prioritize protection from extreme heat over smoke or pollen
If smoky or high-pollen days overlap with extreme heat, and you must choose between immediately protecting yourself from high heat or air quality, you should prioritize protection from the heat. Extreme heat carries a greater risk of immediate injury and death compared to smoke and pollen. If temperatures in your home are consistently above 31 degrees, relocate to a cooler location.
For Health Directors and Community Health Workers, climate‑related allergies are an important part of community wellness planning. This may include sharing pollen and air‑quality alerts, preparing for wildfire smoke events through clean‑air spaces and mask distribution, encouraging families to recognize allergy and asthma symptoms early, and integrating community observations and Traditional Knowledge into health planning.
For more information on climate change impacts on health and wellness, visit the Climate Health webpage or reach out to climate.health@fnha.ca.
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