An increase in exposure to pollen, like allergies, is one of the most distinctive aspects of the arrival of spring. a fact which on many occasions coincides with the first period of increased temperature of the year.
Based on this coincidence, science has conducted different studies in recent years to find out the specific reason for the increase in allergy cases. These occur when the immune system acts on a substance it recognizes as foreign, thus producing antibodies., In turn, triggering an allergic response involves the release of inflammatory mediators., responsible for the symptoms suffered by patients. These contain pollen.
On the worsening of allergies, researchers from Humboldt State University in California (USA) conducted a study to identify the link between allergies and the increase in temperature during the spring period. results published in the journal scientific report revealed that in the year 2021 a San Francisco increased duration of exposure to pollen, associated not only with high temperatures but also with precipitation,
Similarly, another investigation published in the journal Journal of Internal Medicine indicated that high levels of gases like carbon dioxide have effects on Earth’s physical, biological, and human systems, including human health, especially allergic diseases. As a result, this increase in the atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases brings with it an increase in essential pollen production and the extension of the season the same.
On the other hand, a study published two years ago by the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS) indicated that climate change “worsened the pollen season in North America” and cited climate-driven pollen trends”.will further increase the impact on respiratory health in the coming decades”, after analyzing trends in pollen in the United States from 1990 to 2018.
Allergic diseases due to pollen in Spain
according to data from the Spanish Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (SEAIC)Allergic pollen diseases will affect a total of eight million people in 2022. Seven million of all allergic people in Spain are allergic to grass, olive tree, arizonica, shadow plantain, salsa, and Parietaria. The most frequent symptoms are nasal congestion, sneezing, itching in the nose, tearing, and redness of the eyes.
