fall allergies | LIVING WITH ALLERGY

Global warming and allergies are certainly linked together based upon scientific studies done on weeds, trees and grasses in recent years. As the temperature of the planet continues to rise, undoubtedly the amount of pollen will increase as well.

All over the world, people suffer from seasonal allergies on a regular basis. Not too long ago, people could predict when certain allergy seasons would occur, and could prepare accordingly. Now, for seemingly unknown reasons, allergy seasons are by far more potent than ever before. Recent studies have shown that pollen counts are higher, and allergy seasons seem to be longer than they have ever been in history.

Some theory blame the man-made increases in greenhouse gases which are responsible for warming the oceans by melting the polar ice cups, as well as the increase of global temperatures, freakish weather such as hurricanes and tsunamis and the increase growth of various plants(such as trees, weeds and grasses),all refer to as climate change.

Others are convinced that climate change in an inevitable cycle that the earth goes through and there is not man related. Anyway, there are measurable changes in the earth’s climate, which were responsible for the significant increase in allergic diseases in the past few decades.

Global warming has led to longer and warmer seasons, causing the trees and grasses to flower much earlier, thus more pollen is released at an earlier time. Some studies have shown that the season begins up to two weeks earlier and last longer than in previous decades. The increased pollen and mold spore counts increase the sensitization to allergy and will increase the allergy symptoms in those who already suffer from allergic diseases. Higher pollutant levels likely to cause worsening of asthma symptoms in affected people. Many studies have shown that with the rise in average daily temperatures, there is a rise in the rate of asthma and asthma symptoms. On days when pollen and mold count are higher, there is an increased emergency room visits for asthma.

The allergic rhinitis incidence in the United States population increased dramatically from 10 to 30 percent over the past 40 years. Similar increases were observed in westernized countries as Canada, and the rate of allergic rhinitis is expected to increase by 40% in Japan by 2050.

The global warming and allergy relation in not limited to seasonal allergies. The warming climate is also spreading the growing range of allergy-inducing plants into new areas of the world. Climate change means allergy season can last longer. Hotter summers make disease-carrying insects more active, for longer seasons; illnesses like West Nile, and Lyme are able to spread into new areas. Hotter weather reduces water supply and quality and diminishes food security. Heavy rains increase risk of drinking water contamination and illness.

Ragweed is one of the primary producers of pollen during the fall allergy seasons. Since 1995, the duration of this allergy season has increased by over 30 days, primarily in parts of North America.

Latest study pointed out that the excess CO2 now in the atmosphere stimulates the allergy-inducing ragweed to produce 60 percent more pollen. Scientists have found that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere that have increased steadily over the last several decades may be to blame. Carbon dioxide level has increased by more than 20 % since 1960. Not only do the increased levels of CO2 cause the ragweed to produce greater amounts of pollen, it has been shown that it is much more potent than ever before, leaving allergy sufferers in more agony year after year.

What You Can Do

Global warming is something that is ongoing, and because of this, those that suffer from allergies need to learn how to adapt. Check daily pollen reports and ozone quality conditions especially on sunny, clear, windless late summer days when ozone conditions usually high. If you have distinct breathing problems caused by pollen producing weeds, trees, or grasses, it is best to stay indoors on days where pollen content in the air is at its highest. Air quality conditions are posted daily by many services, giving you the information when it is best to go outside, and when you should stay in. When pollen and ozone levels are high better to stay indoors, keep windows closed. Take shower and wash bedding and outdoor clothing frequently, vacuum regularly using vacuum cleaner with high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter.

You should also consider talking to your local physician, as they will have certain remedies that can help you deal with the higher pollen amounts.

Allergies: Are You Making it Worse? (belmarrahealth.com)
Pollen In The Air (livingwithallergy.com)
Fall allergy season rough for some (kshb.com)
Allergy miseries reach unusually high levels (dailyherald.com)

Pollen is the number one outdoor allergen that is involved in the sexual reproduction of the plants. Pollen grain is the male gemate of male genetic material in flower plants. Pollen is produced in the anthers, a structure within the flower. When the pollen is ready to release, the anther ruptures and exposes the pollen which is then transported to the female organ of the flower. In order for seeds to be produced, the pollen must be transferred from the male part of the flower to the female part of the flower.

Pollen is a fine to coarse grains which produce the male gametes (sperm cells). Pollen comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and surface markings characteristic of the species. They have a hard coat that protects the sperm cells during the process of their movement from the stamens to the pistil of flowering plants. When pollen lands on a compatible pistil or female cone (i.e., when pollination has occurred), it germinates and produces a pollen tube that transfers the sperm to the ovule (or female gametophyte).

During spring and fall time the air contains many types of pollen. The smallest pollen grain, the forget-me-not is around 6 µm (0.006 mm) in diameter. Wind-borne pollen grains can be as large as about 90–100 µm.

The transfer of pollen grains to the female reproductive structure is called pollination. The transfer can be mediated by the wind or insects.

Wind-pollinated plants typically produce enormous quantities of very lightweight pollen grains and the pollen is dispersed by air currents. The types of pollen that most commonly cause allergic reactions are produced by the drab, inconspicuous, plain-looking plants (trees, grasses, and weeds) that do not have showy flowers.

Common tree pollens are olive, birch, elm, oak, and walnut. Grasses generate many pollens. Examples include: blue, rye, bermuda grasses and red top. Allergy caused by grass pollen is second only to ragweed. Weeds are mostly wind-pollinating. Examples of these are ragweed, sagebrush, pigweed, and tumbleweed. Ragweed is the most important cause of seasonal allergic hay fever. There are many more trees, grasses, and weeds that generate allergy-causing pollens. Airborn pollen can be blown for long distances. Pollen has been found floating in the air 400 miles out at see and 2 miles up in the sky. Pollen even can cross continents.

Insect-pollinated plants produce pollen that is relatively heavy, sticky and protein-rich. These type of plants tend to have bright petals for flowers and are scented and exude nectar to attract insects. The main insect pollinators are bees and butterflies. The pollen will cling to the visitor as it makes the rounds of flowers to eat nectar. That’s why plants with colorful flowers generally don’t cause allergic reactions since the pollen is not usually present in the air. Many insects and some mites are specialized to feed on pollen.

For many trees the small inconspicuous flowers are produced just before the leaves develop from the buds and go unnoticed by most people. Weather has significant effects on pollen release. Warm, dry, sunny, and windy conditions favor pollen release. Cold temperature, high humidity and rain will suppress the release of pollen because the rain clean the air of pollen grains.

Tree pollen levels typically peak from late March through most of April and it last about 2-4 weeks. Another pick time is in September when ragweed pollen level begins to increase early in the month and usually peak around September 10. The levels drop slowly and are often still high in October.

A variety of producers have started selling bee pollen for human consumption, often marketed as a food (rather than a dietary supplement). The largest constituent is carbohydrates, with protein content ranging from 7 to 35 percent depending on the plant species collected by bees. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not found any harmful effects of pollen consumption, except from the usual allergies, but there can be possible dangers not only from allergic reactions but also from contaminants such as pesticides and from fungi and bacteria growth related to poor storage procedures.