Allergy and climate change
Allergic diseases have been known for thousands of years and are an exaggerated reaction of the immune system to stimuli that are actually harmless. The incidence of allergic diseases has risen sharply worldwide in recent decades. It is estimated that 20-30 million people in Germany are affected. Various lifestyle changes and environmental influences are thought to be the cause of this increase. The Robert Koch Institute published a report in 2023 specifically on the consequences of climate change on allergic diseases, which has been known to the medical public since the coronavirus pandemic at the latest. In terms of allergic diseases, climate change has the greatest impact on pollen, which triggers hay fever. For many people, the disease leads to considerable discomfort with a reduced quality of life and also carries the risk of a change of stage, i.e. allergic bronchial asthma can develop over time.
Extension of the pollen season
The 2024 pollen season is about to begin. These are counted in so-called pollen traps and predictions are made. The pollen season depends largely on the interplay of rain and temperature. According to an analysis by the RKI, the early flowering season (birch/alder/hazel) in particular has started 2-3 weeks earlier in recent decades due to the various climatic changes. The accumulation of so-called "mast years", i.e. years with a particularly high pollen count, is also associated with climate change. According to the scientists' studies, the flight time of grass pollen has changed the least, but towards the end of the pollen season there is an extension due to the flight of herb pollen (mugwort/ambrosia). The extension of the pollen season is therefore most problematic for people with polyallergies, i.e. people who suffer from symptoms caused by pollen from different groups. However, the extension of the pollen season is not the only phenomenon observed. The concentration per year of the vast majority of pollen has also increased
Expansion of the pollen spectrum
Climate change can favor the spread of non-native pollen species. One example of this is ragweed. The plant actually comes from North America. It produces large quantities of pollen and has a high sensitization and allergy potential. The number of people sensitized to ragweed in North America is similar to the number of people sensitized to grass pollen in Germany. Sensitized means that antibodies are detected in the allergy test, but an allergy does not necessarily exist. The plant probably reached Europe via wheat shipments. It is widespread in Hungary, Italy and France, but has also been spreading more and more in Germany in recent years. If the proportion of sensitized people is assumed to be 0-10% by 2005, it is expected to rise to 15-25% by 2060.
Influence of environmental factors on pollen
The influence of air pollutants such as nitrogen and ozone on pollen is the subject of research. There are indications that changes in the context of climate change in combination with air pollutants as stressors for plants can change the allergenic potential. For example, studies have found that increased nitrogen levels increase the content of the main allergen in birch pollen (bet v1). Climate change is a global, unsolved problem. From the observations made above, it is unfortunately not to be expected that allergic complaints will decrease in the future.
decrease in the future. This is precisely why it is important to recognize allergies at an early stage, diagnose them correctly and treat them. A medical history interview with a doctor experienced in allergology is essential. Allergy tests can only be assessed in the context of your symptoms and additional tests can be arranged if necessary. The therapy consists of 3 pillars: The avoidance of allergens, symptomatic therapy and causal therapy. Unfortunately, the avoidance of pollen is only possible to a very limited extent, but good treatment options are available for symptomatic therapy. In the past, allergy sufferers often complained about the side effects of medication, but today, thanks to modern medication, it is usually possible to find an effective medication together with your doctor without annoying side effects. It can often be useful to undergo specific immunotherapy, also known as desensitization, to treat the cause of the allergy. The aim is to influence the immune system away from the allergy and towards immune tolerance. The most well-known form of therapy is injections, which are sometimes difficult to integrate into the daily lives of those affected. It is worth checking with your doctor whether specific immunotherapy makes sense for you. This can take the form of injections or, as a good alternative, tablets.
