Seasonal allergies are becoming more common due to climate change. Warming temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere produce larger and more concentrated doses of pollen. This can make it harder for our nose to filter out allergens and cause symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. Experts suggest wearing facial coverings, using high-quality masks, taking medication, and washing or showering after returning indoors to reduce allergy symptoms. Antihistamines and nasal sprays are among the first lines of defense before progressing to immunotherapy. Some people also use nasal irrigation systems, take probiotics, or get acupuncture to control their allergy symptoms. However, it is essential to start using medications weeks before the allergen blooms to avoid allergic symptoms. The ultimate remedy, according to experts, is to get climate change under control. Seasonal allergic reactions can be an early warning sign of the effects of climate change.
Climate Change Extends Allergy Season: How it Affects Our Nose
According to a March report, climate change has worsened seasonal allergies by extending the pollen and mold allergy season and increasing its intensity. This means that more allergens are now entering our respiratory tract, and our nose, the body’s first line of defense against allergens, may not be able to filter them all out.
Northeastern distinguished professor of pharmaceutical sciences and chemical engineering, Mansoor Amiji, explains that the nose filters out allergens as we inhale air, but the sheer amount of pollen grains in the air from spring until fall makes it easier for allergens to slip past nasal filtration systems and enter the respiratory tract. As we inhale air, we take in bacteria, viruses, and pollen allergens. While our mouth is closed most of the time, our nose is always open, making it the primary filter to remove these substances. However, a higher density of allergens can overwhelm the nose’s defenses, resulting in symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, nose and throat, watery eyes, fatigue, and coughing.
Dr. Bruce Gordon, an allergist from Massachusetts, explains that the nose is designed to absorb dust and particles by mucus and keep them out of the lungs. The mucus usually drains down the back of the throat and is destroyed by stomach acid or excreted. However, an overload of pollen can lead to the allergen being dissolved in the mucus before it has a chance to be killed in the stomach, leading to allergic symptoms. Thus, the nose alone may not be able to stand up to the extra pollen and mold counts produced by climate change.
Dr. Amiji co-wrote a study on why people are more vulnerable to catching colds during the winter months. This research paper uncovers the biological mechanism by which respiratory viruses are more common in winter and could hold some clues to combating allergens. With the extension of allergy seasons due to climate change, it’s crucial to understand how allergens affect our nose and respiratory system to protect ourselves from allergic symptoms.
In conclusion, climate change is extending the pollen and mold allergy season and making it more intense, which can overwhelm our nose’s defenses against allergens. We must be aware of how allergens affect our nose and respiratory system and take necessary precautions to avoid allergic symptoms.
Climate Change and Allergies: How Your Nose is Affected
Did you know that climate change is extending allergy season and making it more intense? A report by Climate Central reveals that warming temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are causing a longer and more intense allergy season. This means that we are exposed to higher amounts of allergens in the air, and our nose may not be able to filter them all out.
Our nose acts as the primary filter to remove allergens as we inhale air, but the sheer amount of pollen grains in the air from spring until fall makes it easier for invading allergens to enter the respiratory tract. Scientists have discovered that viruses have a field day when temperatures drop, as the quantity of virus-fighting fluid sacs decreases, thereby increasing our vulnerability to respiratory viruses.
Moreover, climate change seems to be undermining the nose’s protective mechanism by producing larger and more concentrated doses of pollen than it is designed to stop from entering the respiratory system. The increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere acts as a fertilizer, causing plants to grow larger and produce more pollen grains packed with allergens.
If we are to understand how allergens interact with us and the type of reaction the nose creates, we can create various types of anti-allergy therapeutic strategies. Until then, low-tech solutions like wearing facial coverings when high pollen counts are predicted, especially with high-quality masks like the N95, coupled with allergy medication, are effective. High efficiency particulate filter masks can also prevent pollen and mold spores from being inhaled.
Antihistamines and nasal sprays such as Flonase are among the first lines of defense before progressing to immunotherapy. However, Gordon, an allergist who recently retired from practice, believes people need to be on both meds and allergy shots.
It is essential to take necessary precautions to avoid allergic symptoms, especially during yard work or spending time outdoors. Masks can be especially effective in reducing allergy symptoms but cannot reduce itchy eyes. People are advised to wash or shower after returning indoors and keep their windows closed.
In conclusion, it is crucial to understand how climate change affects allergies and our nose’s ability to filter out allergens. With the extension of allergy seasons, we must take necessary precautions to avoid allergic symptoms. Wearing facial coverings, using high-quality masks, taking medication, and washing or showering after returning indoors are effective in reducing allergy symptoms. Antihistamines and nasal sprays are among the first lines of defense before progressing to immunotherapy.
How to Deal with Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies are becoming more common due to climate change. Warming temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere produce larger and more concentrated doses of pollen. This can make it harder for our nose to filter out allergens and cause symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes.
Experts suggest wearing facial coverings, using high-quality masks, taking medication, and washing or showering after returning indoors to reduce allergy symptoms. Antihistamines and nasal sprays are among the first lines of defense before progressing to immunotherapy.
Some people also use nasal irrigation systems, take probiotics, or get acupuncture to control their allergy symptoms. However, it is essential to start using medications weeks before the allergen blooms to avoid allergic symptoms.
The ultimate remedy, according to experts, is to get climate change under control. Seasonal allergic reactions can be an early warning sign of the effects of climate change.
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