Climate change is making our allergies worse, says UCI Health immunologist

What was once a seasonal phenomenon is now nearly year-round

IN THE NEWS: Springtime means flowers, birds and the inevitable seasonal allergies.

But things are changing. Allergy, asthma and immunology specialists from around the country are seeing a growing number of patients experiencing allergies that have become more severe. On top of that, allergies appear to be getting less seasonal in nature.

UCI Health immunologist and allergist Dr. Jenny Lee spoke to The Daily Pilot about what’s behind the phenomenon.

“Climate change definitively has affected people. Trees, grasses and weeds have their own growing season, but it’s extending and getting longer.”

Pollinating seasons also are overlapping, providing little symptom relief for allergy sufferers, she adds.

Lee is a board-certified UCI Health allergist and immunologist who specializes in the care of both adults and children. Her clinical interests encompass a wide range of allergic and immunologic conditions including allergic rhinitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis, hives, insect sting allergies and immunodeficiency conditions. Lee is also an assistant professor in the Division of Basic and Clinical Immunology in the Department of Medicine at UCI School of Medicine.

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