Intense levels of tree pollen mean heightened symptoms for allergy sufferers in Hamilton, researcher warns

Allergy sufferers in Hamilton will likely experience heightened symptoms in the coming weeks as warmer weather causes the release of more tree pollen, according to the head of a pollen research lab in Ontario.

Daniel Coates, director of Ottawa-based Aerobiology Research Laboratories (ARL), said the arrival of warmer weather in Hamilton is triggering a rise in highly allergenic pollen types such as birch, oak and poplar, bringing "higher levels of pollen in a shorter period of time."

"We had a really warm spell at the end of March and that signalled Mother Nature to start releasing pollen, but then it cools down a lot and the pollen stops releasing, it just went to more low levels," Coates told CBC Hamilton. 

"As it started heating up again in late April, we started seeing more intense levels of tree pollen in the air with higher numbers. So, instead of releasing over a longer period of time, it decides to release at a shorter period of time with higher levels."

Coates said Hamilton is also currently experiencing a period of very high levels of mulberry, walnut and pine in the air.

'The GTA is ragweed heaven'

He said "the tree season is quite long," lasting anywhere from mid-to-late March to late May or early June in the Hamilton area. Allergy sufferers also have to contend with grass season and weed season, which runs through mid-August, Coates said.

"We have ragweed that will start in mid-to-late July and the GTA [Greater Toronto Area] is ragweed heaven," Coates said.

Ragweed is highly allergenic and pollen levels are higher in the GTA than anywhere else in Canada, he said.

By knowing what's in the air, you can better change your daily activities to minimize the effects of pollen on your health.- Daniel Coates, director, Aerobiology Research Laboratories

While forecasters don't suspect it will be "apocalyptic," Coates said they do expect a lot of ragweed, which likes warm weather.

There are more than 10 million allergy sufferers in Canada, representing almost 25 per cent of the population, Coates said, but they aren't condemned to feel the worst symptoms each allergy season.

"By knowing what's in the air, you can better change your daily activities to minimize the effects of pollen on your health, and that will help create a better quality of life," Coates added.

Through its network of 30 "strategically located stations across Canada," ARL says it meticulously gathers daily air samples, ensuring the most precise and dependable allergen information for Canadian allergy sufferers and the research community. 

Symptoms can go on for months

Mariam Hanna, an assistant clinical professor in the department of pediatrics at McMaster University, says pollen allergy symptoms include itchy, watery, red eyes, as well as runny nose, nasal congestion and sneezing. She says they can cause long periods of suffering.

"For patients with environmental allergies … it's typical for their symptoms to last for weeks, and if you're allergic to multiple pollen or spores, this can go on for months," Hanna told CBC News. 

She said environmental allergies can impact any age group, from young children all the way up to adults, "so people of all ages may be experiencing symptoms, and at least one in each household of four or more people might have symptoms at this time of year."

Finding the right answer for your symptoms

Hanna, who is also an allergist and immunologist, said there are many different options for people to manage their environmental allergies, including many over-the-counter options.

"The general categories include things like antihistamines, nasal sprays, as well as eye drops," she said. "My recommendation is always to speak with your health-care provider to help you find the right answer for your symptoms." she said.

While environmental allergies are not life-threatening,  Hanna said they can impact your quality of life — potentially disrupting sleep, school, the ability to function at work, and one's ability to go out during the warmer summer months.

"In some patients with environmental allergies, this can impact up to 40 per cent of them and cause some degree of asthma symptoms to flare up during this time," Hanna said.

"So, for those patients, they might have more coughing, wheezing, and asthma flare ups that may lead them to go to the hospital. In that sense, that can be a major health concern."