Allergy sufferers beware; 'pollen season' arrives in Canada in May

 

 

Spring is a beautiful season. Full of flowers, greenery, and warm weather are attractive. But for many, it also marks the beginning of allergy season. May can be a challenging month for those who suffer from allergies. Experts indicate that 'pollen season' will begin in Canada in May. When the amount of pollen in the air increases, most people may experience sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, shortness of breath, and other discomfort. The Ottawa-based Aerobiology Research Laboratory collects pollen and spore samples daily from 30 monitoring sites across the country. The data is used to predict pollen levels in the air and estimate allergy risk.

What they are currently predicting is a peak tree pollen season in the spring, says director Daniel Coates. Coates points to the temperature fluctuations in the first quarter of this year as the reason for the peak pollen season.

During this time, trees in many regions will have a very high pollen season. Coates also said that May is the peak month for birch, alder, maple, poplar and oak, which are affected by temperature fluctuations. He said that although grass and other weed pollen levels are expected to be slightly higher than normal during the late summer and fall seasons, it does not pose a risk to allergy sufferers.

In the past 25 years, Coates pointed out that the amount of pollen in the air in Canada has doubled. Weather also plays a major role in pollen levels. Pollen levels increase as temperatures rise. Therefore, there is a relationship between high temperatures and pollen levels. Changes in weather also affect this.

Allergies range from mild to life-threatening. The higher the pollen count, the more severe the allergy. Dr. Mariam Hanna, an allergist and clinical immunologist, said that the effects of pollen exposure on a person who is already allergic can be very harmful. Dr. Mariam Hanna warns that this allergy season is the most difficult time for those who have asthma, bronchitis, or other respiratory problems and they need to be careful.