If you’ve ever dealt with seasonal allergies, the symptoms are all too familiar — headaches, congestion, red and itchy eyes, and a constantly runny nose even when you’re not sick. As temperatures rise, these allergy symptoms are affecting people across Canada. And experts say the problem is only getting worse. A mix of factors, especially climate change, is making allergy seasons longer and more intense, turning what used to be a short-lived nuisance into a more persistent issue.
“Certainly, allergy season has started,” said Dr. Moshe Ben-Shoshan, an associate professor in the division of allergy, immunology and dermatology at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.
“We’re starting to see patients coming due to symptoms of hay fever and asthma flares and eczema flares, coinciding with the higher levels of pollen.”
The good news is that treatments are evolving too, giving people more ways to manage their symptoms — provided they know what to ask their doctor or pharmacist.
What’s making allergy season worse?
For years, scientists have warned that allergy seasons in Canada are intensifying, with climate change being the biggest reason behind it.
“We’re seeing the allergy seasons becoming longer and more severe. The pollen counts are much higher,” said Dr. Gordon Sussman, a Toronto-based allergist and clinical immunologist.
For over a decade, North America has seen rising pollen levels. Researchers believe pollution and higher carbon dioxide levels may be accelerating plant growth. A recent study published in January also highlights light pollution as a possible contributor, suggesting that constant artificial lighting in urban areas may be extending pollen seasons.
“But the major determinant is the climate, and the fact that it warms earlier,” said Sussman. “So we’re seeing seasons begin earlier and go on later.”
This trend isn’t limited to Canada. Research in the United States shows that pollen seasons now begin earlier than they did in the 1990s, with overall pollen levels increasing by nearly 50 per cent. Other global studies, including cities like Winnipeg and Saskatoon, found that over 70 per cent of locations studied have seen rising pollen levels over time — reinforcing the connection between climate change and public health concerns.
Which regions are hardest hit?
This spring, people in Vancouver and Victoria are expected to face a sharp increase in allergy symptoms due to high tree pollen levels, according to Aerobiology Research Laboratories.
“The warmer West Coast climate is accelerating the release of highly allergenic pollen types such as birch and oak,” said Daniel Coates, the company’s director.
While the West Coast has been dealing with high pollen levels since late January, other parts of the country are now entering the early stages of tree-pollen season.
Data collected over 30 years shows that Vancouver and Victoria are among the toughest places for allergy sufferers. “When we analyze season length, peak pollen intensity and the number of days with high or very high counts, Vancouver and Victoria stand out,” Coates said. “Their long, overlapping pollen seasons create a perfect storm for people with tree-pollen allergies.”
This year, however, many of the worst-hit areas are in Ontario — including Barrie, Kingston and Hamilton — along with Victoria. Windsor tops the list as the most challenging city. “One of the main reasons why is [Ontario gets] hit with all three seasons,” Coates said. “So we have a really bad tree season. We get a pretty good grass season, but we also get weed season.”
How can you manage the symptoms?
No matter where you live, managing seasonal allergies usually involves a combination of prevention, medication and newer treatments.
Ben-Shoshan suggests starting with simple precautions — like keeping windows closed at night, avoiding drying clothes outdoors, and wearing sunglasses outside to reduce pollen exposure.
For mild symptoms, many people turn to over-the-counter antihistamines — especially newer, non-drowsy options — along with nasal sprays and eye drops.
“All of these can help reduce the burden of symptoms, but they won’t modify the allergy itself,” noted Ben-Shoshan. “The only treatment that modifies the allergy itself is what we call desensitization. In this strategy, we introduce small amounts of the allergen to the body, so over time the immune system adapts and reacts less.”
Newer desensitization methods include sublingual immunotherapy tablets, which dissolve under the tongue and help build long-term tolerance to allergens like grass and ragweed. These are gradually replacing traditional allergy shots, though they can cost more than $200 a month.
Media professional and journalist based in British Columbia, Canada. Founder of Studiox Film & TV Corporation, focusing on multicultural news, interviews, and community storytelling across Canada.
