Britt Hanson
Appearances
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
Yeah, so I called Dr. Juanita Mora. She's an allergist and immunologist based in Chicago.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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?
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
It feels like allergy season is getting worse every year. Is that actually true? Is allergy season getting worse every year?
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
Exactly. So tip number two, if you are outside for any extended period of time, take a shower when you come home.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
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.
Short Wave
Your Allergies May Be Getting Worse
This episode was reported and produced by me, Britt Hansen.