How climate change can make your allergies worse

Pollen is not the only thing affected by climate change. Increased humidity, heat, and flooding also create favorable conditions for mold to grow in areas where it was previously absent.

This can increase the risk of mold, especially during weather-related disasters like hurricanes, or for patients who live in old buildings, basements, or other poorly ventilated buildings, Tummala said.

There is a lot of pollen

For many people, seasonal allergies are especially problematic: itchy eyes, runny noses, and the seemingly endless cold. But pollen also disrupts sleep, causes sinus infections, causes people to miss school and work, and can cause serious health problems. A 2024 learning in Texas found that allergies can account for a large proportion of emergency visits due to asthma attacks during periods of high pollen counts.

People with allergies are also sensitive to other respiratory triggers, such as heat waves and air pollution, Tummala said.

On days with heavy smoke from the Canadian wildfires, Tummala said her patients suffer from respiratory problems. On one such occasion last summer, a patient told her that she was afraid to go outside.

“It’s very sad,” Tummala said. “That’s not how you should live your life.”

Drought is another growing climate problem. Rain removes pollen from the air. Without it, good flour can blow for weeks without relief, Wees said.

For Tummala, the link between climate change and climate risk also highlights the need to take action to reduce global warming.

“It’s a variable risk,” he said. “Climate change is something we can do something about.”

This article appeared first Inside Weather Newsa non-profit, non-partisan organization that reports on climate, energy, and the environment. Subscribe to their newsletter Here.