‘Allergy Explosion’ In the U.S. Linked to Climate Change
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology declared that this year’s seasonal allergies are the worst. Not only they’ve seen a spike in the number suffering from it, but they’re causing fever or allergic rhinitis. And the people in the northwest and the southwest U.S. are witnesses to a severe ‘allergy explosion.’
The seasonal allergies make people’s eyes feel itchy and burning, they have a runny nose, congestions and the main issue is that the season got longer with 27 days than the past years.
The academy has just released a report, explaining what causes the prolonged pollen season. Dr. Stanley Fineman is the former president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and said the following:
“Some research has suggested that the warming trend that we have in our environment is causing the pollen seasons to start a little bit earlier, and extend a little bit longer. Consequently, patients are suffering because they’re exposed to pollen, for longer periods of time.”
Allergist Dr. Clifford Bassett: ‘Allergy Explosion’
Dr. Clifford Bassett is the medical director of Allergy & Asthma Care of New York. He also thinks that it’s climate change causing the explosion of allergies:
“Climate change, globalization, air pollution, and over-sanitization of the environment in the early years of life are just a few of the causes that, taken together, have introduced new germs into our environment are causing needless suffering.”
At the moment, the most significant pollen makers are oak, maple and birch trees that together with poplar alder and ash create a storm of pollen. Other allergies are caused by fragrant flowers and weeds like dandelions.
A man from New Jersey recently posted a video on social media, going viral with more than 4 million views. Eric Henderson of Millville, New Jersey tapped a tree which immediately released a vast cloud of pollen. They don’t have a pollen allergy, but their son has a fierce reaction, explained Jennifer Henderson, the wife:
“Our Claritin supply has certainly increased in the house!”
Dr. Clifford Bassett recommends to get antihistamines or nasal steroid for the congestion two weeks before the allergy season begins, to make symptoms less severe or to eliminate them. However, he also recommends seeing a specialist if the allergy is severe.
Doris’s passion for writing started to take shape in college where she was editor-in-chief of the college newspaper. Even though she ended up working in IT for more than 7 years, she’s now back to what he always enjoyed doing. With a true passion for technology, Doris mostly covers tech-related topics.
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