Britt Hanson

Yeah, so I called Dr. Juanita Mora. She's an allergist and immunologist based in Chicago.

Yeah, so I called Dr. Juanita Mora. She's an allergist and immunologist based in Chicago.

Maddie, she absolutely loves her job, especially because of that bit she mentioned about working with generations, babies, adolescents, parents, grandparents, all in the same family. And she does a lot of education and outreach in the community, too. I want her to be my allergist, Britt. I know, right?

Maddie, she absolutely loves her job, especially because of that bit she mentioned about working with generations, babies, adolescents, parents, grandparents, all in the same family. And she does a lot of education and outreach in the community, too. I want her to be my allergist, Britt. I know, right?

So, Maddie, one of the things that Juanita wanted to make really clear when I asked her about whether or not allergy season is getting longer is that we were specifically talking about seasonal allergies. So, like, pollen. Exactly.

So, Maddie, one of the things that Juanita wanted to make really clear when I asked her about whether or not allergy season is getting longer is that we were specifically talking about seasonal allergies. So, like, pollen. Exactly.

It feels like allergy season is getting worse every year. Is that actually true? Is allergy season getting worse every year?

It feels like allergy season is getting worse every year. Is that actually true? Is allergy season getting worse every year?

Okay. So Juanita says that there are a couple of factors that are key to understanding why. So let's start with factor number one. There's just more pollen in general. And one big reason for that is more carbon dioxide.

Okay. So Juanita says that there are a couple of factors that are key to understanding why. So let's start with factor number one. There's just more pollen in general. And one big reason for that is more carbon dioxide.

Yeah, that's right. And here's the bad news. We know that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased more than 25 percent over about 50 years time. And a big reason for that is carbon emissions caused by humans. So as the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is rising, so is the amount of pollen being produced by lots of plants, at least up to a point.

Yeah, that's right. And here's the bad news. We know that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased more than 25 percent over about 50 years time. And a big reason for that is carbon emissions caused by humans. So as the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is rising, so is the amount of pollen being produced by lots of plants, at least up to a point.

Rising temperatures.

Rising temperatures.

So, Maddie, not only is there more pollen being produced in general because of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, there's also more pollen because the longer warm weather lasts, the longer the pollen season.

So, Maddie, not only is there more pollen being produced in general because of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, there's also more pollen because the longer warm weather lasts, the longer the pollen season.

Basically, higher temperatures are causing pollen to start growing sooner and then keep it growing longer. Ugh. Yeah. One recent study found that the pollen season in North America has lengthened more than 20 days from 1990 to 2018. Right.

Basically, higher temperatures are causing pollen to start growing sooner and then keep it growing longer. Ugh. Yeah. One recent study found that the pollen season in North America has lengthened more than 20 days from 1990 to 2018. Right.

You're not. Not at all. Juanita says that that's the capital B big factor, climate change. So let's take ragweed, for example. One study done in Europe estimates that by 2050, airborne ragweed pollen concentrations could be about four times higher than they are right now. And researchers say that climate change is one of the major contributing factors.

You're not. Not at all. Juanita says that that's the capital B big factor, climate change. So let's take ragweed, for example. One study done in Europe estimates that by 2050, airborne ragweed pollen concentrations could be about four times higher than they are right now. And researchers say that climate change is one of the major contributing factors.

I'm the worst. So, okay, how about this? I'll share a bit of helpful allergy advice with you and all of our fellow allergy sufferers.

I'm the worst. So, okay, how about this? I'll share a bit of helpful allergy advice with you and all of our fellow allergy sufferers.

OK, so Juanita shared a few tips with me and I've been using them myself. So tip number one, if it's allergy season, do not sleep with your windows open. And if you like go out for a drive, keep your windows up in the car, too.

OK, so Juanita shared a few tips with me and I've been using them myself. So tip number one, if it's allergy season, do not sleep with your windows open. And if you like go out for a drive, keep your windows up in the car, too.

Exactly. So tip number two, if you are outside for any extended period of time, take a shower when you come home.

Exactly. So tip number two, if you are outside for any extended period of time, take a shower when you come home.

Yes. And lastly, tip number three, check the pollen count online. You can also download one of these apps that shows you the pollen count in your area. It's really helpful.

Yes. And lastly, tip number three, check the pollen count online. You can also download one of these apps that shows you the pollen count in your area. It's really helpful.

Oh, my God. No problem. Maddie, one more thing, though. Juanita says that these masks we're all wearing to keep ourselves and other people safe during the pandemic. Those are great for lessening allergy symptoms, too. So bonus, wear your mask, everybody. Just do it.

Oh, my God. No problem. Maddie, one more thing, though. Juanita says that these masks we're all wearing to keep ourselves and other people safe during the pandemic. Those are great for lessening allergy symptoms, too. So bonus, wear your mask, everybody. Just do it.

This episode was reported and produced by me, Britt Hansen.

This episode was reported and produced by me, Britt Hansen.

Yeah, so I called Dr. Juanita Mora. She's an allergist and immunologist based in Chicago.

Maddie, she absolutely loves her job, especially because of that bit she mentioned about working with generations, babies, adolescents, parents, grandparents, all in the same family. And she does a lot of education and outreach in the community, too. I want her to be my allergist, Britt. I know, right?

So, Maddie, one of the things that Juanita wanted to make really clear when I asked her about whether or not allergy season is getting longer is that we were specifically talking about seasonal allergies. So, like, pollen. Exactly.

It feels like allergy season is getting worse every year. Is that actually true? Is allergy season getting worse every year?

Okay. So Juanita says that there are a couple of factors that are key to understanding why. So let's start with factor number one. There's just more pollen in general. And one big reason for that is more carbon dioxide.

Yeah, that's right. And here's the bad news. We know that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased more than 25 percent over about 50 years time. And a big reason for that is carbon emissions caused by humans. So as the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere is rising, so is the amount of pollen being produced by lots of plants, at least up to a point.

Rising temperatures.

So, Maddie, not only is there more pollen being produced in general because of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, there's also more pollen because the longer warm weather lasts, the longer the pollen season.

Basically, higher temperatures are causing pollen to start growing sooner and then keep it growing longer. Ugh. Yeah. One recent study found that the pollen season in North America has lengthened more than 20 days from 1990 to 2018. Right.

You're not. Not at all. Juanita says that that's the capital B big factor, climate change. So let's take ragweed, for example. One study done in Europe estimates that by 2050, airborne ragweed pollen concentrations could be about four times higher than they are right now. And researchers say that climate change is one of the major contributing factors.

I'm the worst. So, okay, how about this? I'll share a bit of helpful allergy advice with you and all of our fellow allergy sufferers.

OK, so Juanita shared a few tips with me and I've been using them myself. So tip number one, if it's allergy season, do not sleep with your windows open. And if you like go out for a drive, keep your windows up in the car, too.

Exactly. So tip number two, if you are outside for any extended period of time, take a shower when you come home.

Yes. And lastly, tip number three, check the pollen count online. You can also download one of these apps that shows you the pollen count in your area. It's really helpful.

Oh, my God. No problem. Maddie, one more thing, though. Juanita says that these masks we're all wearing to keep ourselves and other people safe during the pandemic. Those are great for lessening allergy symptoms, too. So bonus, wear your mask, everybody. Just do it.

This episode was reported and produced by me, Britt Hansen.