An Era Where Medication Alone Isn't Enough: Climate Change Expands Allergy Issues

The Arrival of Spring Is Not Welcome for Everyone

In spring, street trees bud, flowers bloom in parks, and the sunlight gradually becomes stronger. Ideally, this season should lighten the hearts of those who have endured a long winter. However, for people suffering from seasonal allergies, spring also marks the beginning of a battle with sneezing, runny noses, itchy eyes, and fatigue.

Montreal, Canada's radio station 98.5 featured pediatric allergy specialist Dr. Marie-Josée Francoeur on the program "Signé Lévesque," discussing the relationship between seasonal allergies and climate change. The program's theme is clear: while allergies have genetic factors, recent environmental changes, particularly climate change, are exacerbating symptoms.

Dr. Francoeur explains that seasonal rhinitis tends to start in spring and that genetic risk factors are involved in the onset of allergies. However, the issue doesn't end with one's constitution. Environmental factors such as rising temperatures, extended plant growth periods, and increased pollen levels may be making allergy symptoms longer and more severe.

In other words, hay fever is no longer just an "annual unpleasant symptom." It is becoming necessary to view it from a broader perspective as one of the health impacts of climate change.

How Climate Change Worsens Hay Fever

Pollen allergies occur when the body recognizes pollen in the air as a foreign substance, triggering an immune response. Typical symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy eyes, and throat discomfort. While these symptoms have been known for a long time, recent attention is focused on "why they are worsening."

There are three main factors by which climate change worsens allergies.

First, rising temperatures extend the growth period of plants. As spring arrives earlier and autumn cools later, the period during which plants release pollen tends to extend. This increases the number of days allergy sufferers are exposed to pollen.

Second, the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels promotes plant growth. For plants, CO₂ is a necessary element for growth and can increase pollen production under certain conditions. In other words, the combination of a warm, long growing season and high CO₂ levels may increase the actual amount of pollen.

Third, climate change alters the distribution of plants. Allergen plants that were previously scarce in certain regions may spread to more northern areas or new environments. People may be exposed to pollen that was not previously common, leading to new allergy symptoms.

In Quebec, pollen from ragweed and other plants has long been a public health issue. According to Canadian government sources, 17% of adults in Quebec are affected by seasonal allergic rhinitis, with ragweed pollen accounting for a significant proportion of hay fever cases. This is not just a matter of individual health management but a community-wide health issue.

"This Year Is Especially Bad"—The Sentiment Spreads on Social Media

On social media, posts linking hay fever and climate change are increasing. On X, accounts dealing with pollen information and environmental media are disseminating information with themes like "Climate change is increasing pollen and worsening allergies." In the French-speaking world, posts explain that the hay fever season is getting longer and that CO₂, air pollution, and the spread of non-native plants are worsening symptoms.

Meanwhile, the reactions of general users are more relatable.

"This year's pollen is really tough."
"My eyes itch so much I can't work."
"I used to love spring, but now I'm afraid to go outside."
"Even if I take medicine, I get sleepy, and if I don't, my nose won't stop running."

These voices indicate that, even before medical discussions, hay fever is significantly lowering the quality of daily life. Allergies are often thought of as mild symptoms not directly linked to life, but they affect sleep quality, concentration, work or school efficiency, and the desire to go out.

Additionally, on social media, there are many practical reactions like "I've started checking the pollen forecast app every morning," "I can't hang laundry outside anymore," and "I decide whether to open windows based on pollen levels." Just as weather forecasts once determined whether to carry an umbrella, pollen information now influences daily actions for many people.

Concerns About Climate Change and Skeptical Voices

Among the reactions on social media, there are those that heighten concerns about climate change.

"Not only the heat but also allergies are getting worse?"
"The effects of climate change are becoming more and more personal."
"Environmental issues are not distant matters; they're affecting my nose and eyes."

These posts reflect a sense of perceiving climate change not as an abstract global issue but as a problem directly affecting daily health. Sneezing and itchy eyes in early spring, along with heatwaves, wildfires, and heavy rains, may be signs of a changing environment.

On the other hand, there are skeptical reactions.

"Aren't we blaming everything on climate change?"
"Hay fever has been around for ages."
"Could individual differences, urbanization, and air pollution also be factors?"

These doubts cannot be ignored. In reality, the increase in allergies involves multiple factors such as genetics, living environment, urbanization, hygiene, diet, and air pollution. Simplifying it to climate change as the sole cause is not accurate.

However, specialized documents and research indicate that rising temperatures, increased CO₂ levels, prolonged pollen seasons, and the spread of allergen plants work to worsen pollen allergies. Therefore, while climate change is not the "sole cause," it is reasonable to view it as an "unignorable amplifying factor."

How Should Medication Be Used?

In the 98.5 article, Dr. Francoeur also touches on treatment. Antihistamines and eye drops may have short-lasting effects and need to be used when symptoms are present. In other words, it's not about taking them indiscriminately early on, but using them in accordance with symptoms and advice from doctors or pharmacists.

Commonly considered hay fever countermeasures include the following methods.

Adjusting outdoor time on days with high pollen levels.
Removing pollen from clothes and hair after returning home.
Reducing the time windows are open.
Incorporating air purifiers and ventilation strategies.
Consulting medical institutions if symptoms are severe.

Additionally, as a fundamental treatment, allergen immunotherapy, known as desensitization therapy, is an option. The 98.5 article states that desensitization treatment takes an average of three years to show effects. Although it takes time, it is sometimes considered as an option that targets the cause of symptoms.

However, appropriate medications and treatments vary depending on an individual's constitution, age, symptoms, and medical history. Particularly for children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with respiratory diseases like asthma, it is advisable to consult specialists rather than handling it by oneself.

There Are Limits to Individual Measures

When it comes to hay fever countermeasures, discussions often focus on individual efforts like masks, medication, eye drops, laundry, and air purifiers. However, if climate change is worsening hay fever, individual measures alone have limits.

In Quebec, efforts have been made to reduce allergen plants like ragweed. The key is for municipalities and land managers to engage in mowing and vegetation management to reduce the sources of pollen. This approach treats hay fever not only as a medical issue but also as a matter of urban planning and environmental management.

On social media, there are reactions like "It's not just about individuals taking medicine; municipalities should tackle ragweed" and "More thought should be given to weed management in parks and along roadsides." For those suffering from allergies, pollen is like an invisible form of pollution.

In the future, a new perspective will be required for urban greening. While increasing greenery helps with heat island countermeasures and landscape improvement, the types of trees and grasses planted may worsen hay fever. Planting plans that consider health, management of allergen plants, and the establishment of pollen monitoring systems will become important.

Hay Fever as a Challenge of "Climate Adaptation" Rather Than "Seasonal Discomfort"

The 98.5 article highlights a shift in the perception of hay fever. Previously, hay fever was treated as a seasonal ailment affecting some people in early spring. However, if climate change alters the amount, timing, and distribution of pollen, it becomes a public health issue and should be considered part of climate change adaptation strategies.

When thinking of the health impacts of climate change, heatstroke, infectious diseases, flood damage, and wildfire smoke may come to mind. However, the worsening of hay fever is also one of the health impacts that many people feel daily. Sneezing and runny noses may seem like minor symptoms, but if they persist for weeks and affect sleep, work, and learning, they can impact overall societal productivity and healthcare costs.

As social media reactions indicate, people are already experiencing the changes. Voices like "This year is earlier than usual," "It's lingering," and "I can't do without medication" are the lived experiences that appear before statistics. Of course, the pollen count for individual years fluctuates due to weather, so not all annual symptoms can be directly attributed to climate change. Nevertheless, the long-term trend of longer pollen seasons and increased allergy burdens is a significant concern.

What Is Needed Now Is to Look at Both Constitution and Environment

Allergies are related to individual constitution. Therefore, knowing your symptoms, using appropriate medication, and consulting a specialist if necessary is important. However, that alone is not sufficient. If the environment changes, the way symptoms manifest can change even for people with the same constitution. In environments with high pollen, long durations, and overlapping air pollution, the burden of allergies increases.

In the future, we need to reconsider hay fever not as a "springtime tradition" to be resigned to but as a health issue in the era of climate change. Utilizing pollen information, connecting to healthcare, advancing municipal plant management, and designing urban greening with health in mind are all necessary. And above all, continuing efforts to mitigate climate change itself.

Sneezing may be a small sign. However, behind it are changing seasons, expanding plants, warming air, and our way of living. To protect a society where we can breathe spring air with peace of mind, hay fever is no longer a problem that can be left to individual endurance alone.

Source URL

98.5 Montréal "Le changement climatique favorise les allergies, explique une allergologue"
Content where allergy specialist Dr. Marie-Josée Francoeur discusses seasonal allergies, genetic factors, symptom worsening due to climate change, antihistamines, eye drops, and desensitization therapy.
https://www.985fm.ca/audio/777549/le-changement-climatique-favorise-les-allergies-explique-une-allergologue

Public Health Agency of Canada "Climate change, air contaminants, and your health"
Used to organize the impact of climate change on air quality, air pollution, pollen, and airborne allergens, and health risks.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/environmental-public-health-climate-change/climate-change-public-health-factsheets-air.html

Government of Canada "Pollens, climate and allergies: Quebec initiatives"
Used for information on pollen allergies, ragweed, the proportion of seasonal allergic rhinitis in Quebec, and the impact of climate change on pollen levels, allergenicity, and season lengthening.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/health-promotion-chronic-disease-prevention-canada-research-policy-practice/vol-39-no-4-2019/pollens-climate-allergies-quebec-initiatives.html

UBC News "Seasonal allergies are getting worse—and climate change is…"
Used to supplement the impact of warming and rising CO₂ levels on plant growth, pollen levels, and the lengthening of pollen seasons.
https://news.ubc.ca/2026/03/seasonal-allergies-climate-change/

Notre-environnement.gouv.fr "Le changement climatique, facteur d’augmentation des allergies aux pollens"
Used for supplementary information on the relationship between hay fever and climate change in the French-speaking world, early flowering and pollination, and the lengthening of pollen seasons.
https://www.notre-environnement.gouv.fr/actualites/breves/article/le-changement-climatique-facteur-d-augmentation-des-allergies-aux-pollens

X / Météo Pollen
Referenced as an example of pollen information and discussions on the worsening of allergies due to climate change shared on social media.
https://x.com/MeteoPollen

X / Consoglobe
Referenced as an example of discussions on social media about the lengthening of hay fever, CO₂, pollution, and the impact of plants.
https://x.com/consoglobe/status/2041199756622610722

X / Meteored France
Referenced as an example of posts explaining the relationship between hay fever and climate change on social media.
https://x.com/MeteoredFR/status/2039720591909879883