Climate Change is Worsening your Allergies and Sinus Problems

A recent article in the Journal of the American Medical Association highlights something many patients already feel: allergy seasons seem longer, symptoms seem stronger, and “bad air days” can trigger flare-ups. The authors summarize growing evidence that climate change and air pollution can worsen allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)—two of the most common conditions we treat at Richmond ENT.

How common are these problems?

Allergic rhinitis: affects about 1 in 6 adults
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS): affects about 1 in 8 adults

That means a large portion of families in our community are impacted—and the numbers may rise as environmental conditions change.

What’s changing—and why your nose notices

Climate change can affect sinonasal health in two major ways:

1) More and longer-lasting allergens (especially pollen and mold)

Warmer temperatures and higher carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels increase pollen production and extend the pollen season.

What the authors reported:

In North America, the pollen season has lengthened by ~20 days over the last 30 years
Pollen levels increased ~21% over that period
If current trends continue, by 2100 the U.S. pollen season could extend ~19 more days, with 16%–40% higher total annual pollen levels

Mold may also become a bigger issue when extreme weather events (like floods and hurricanes) lead to damp indoor environments and mold growth—especially in flood-prone regions.

2) Worse air quality (pollution, wildfire smoke, and ozone)

Climate change can contribute to conditions that worsen air quality, including:

Stagnant air that traps pollutants
Dust from drought conditions
Wildfire smoke
Ground-level ozone (O₃) that rises during heat events

Air pollutants can irritate the nasal lining and may amplify allergic inflammation, potentially making symptoms feel more intense.

What this means for allergy sufferers

Allergic rhinitis is an IgE-mediated inflammatory reaction in the nasal lining triggered by allergens like pollen and mold. Typical symptoms include:

congestion
runny nose/post-nasal drip
sneezing
itching

When pollen seasons are longer and pollen counts are higher, people may notice:

symptoms start earlier in the year
symptoms last longer into fall
“usual” medications don’t seem as effective
more frequent flares on high pollen or poor air-quality days

What this means for chronic sinusitis (CRS) patients

Chronic sinusitis is generally defined as sinus inflammation lasting 12 weeks or longer, with symptoms such as:

nasal obstruction/congestion
thick drainage (sometimes discolored)
facial pressure/pain
reduced or lost sense of smell

The article summarizes research linking air pollution exposure—especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone—to sinus risk and severity. Studies cited by the authors suggest:

higher pollution exposure is associated with a greater likelihood of a CRS diagnosis
greater PM2.5 exposure may be linked to more severe disease, including nasal polyps
pollution exposure may be associated with higher revision surgery rates and less improvement after surgery in some patients

Important takeaway: even if you’re doing “all the right things,” environmental exposure can be a major driver of symptoms.

Practical, patient-friendly steps that can help

Because pollen and pollution vary by day and by neighborhood, the goal is to reduce exposure + treat inflammation early and consistently.

Watch the daily “environment forecast”

Consider tracking:

pollen counts
air quality index (AQI) , PM2.5, and ozone

Start prevention earlier than you used to

If you typically wait until symptoms are “bad,” you may be starting too late. Many patients do better with:

saline irrigations
intranasal corticosteroid sprays
non-sedating antihistamines (when appropriate)

Starting before peak season (or before predictable triggers like travel, yard work, or smoke exposure) can reduce flare intensity.

Use smart exposure reduction

On high pollution / wildfire smoke days (and for CRS flares):

limit prolonged outdoor time
keep windows/doors closed
use HEPA filtration indoors
consider N95 (or similar) masks outdoors during smoke or heavy pollution

On high pollen days:

a standard surgical/procedure mask may help (pollen particles are larger than PM2.5)
shower and change clothes after outdoor exposure
dry laundry indoors if pollen is high

Don’t ignore mold after water events

If there has been flooding/water intrusion and you have mold allergy symptoms or persistent congestion:

consider professional mold assessment and remediation
use HEPA filtration to reduce indoor spore burden

When to see an ENT or allergy specialist

If you have any of the following, it’s worth getting evaluated:

symptoms lasting >10 days repeatedly, or >12 weeks continuously
frequent sinus infections or repeated antibiotic courses
loss of smell that doesn’t improve
significant sleep disruption, fatigue, or missed work/school
suspected nasal polyps (ongoing congestion, reduced smell, persistent drainage)
allergies not controlled with routine over-the-counter therapy

A tailored plan may include prescription nasal therapy, in-office nasal endoscopy when needed, allergy testing, immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops when appropriate), evaluation for CRS/nasal polyps, and—when indicated—advanced therapies.

Get relief that fits your triggers

If your allergies or sinus symptoms feel worse or last longer each year—you may not be imagining it. Environmental changes can raise your baseline inflammation and make flares harder to control.

Richmond ENT can help you build a personalized plan (medications, prevention timing, allergy evaluation, and sinus care) so you can breathe, sleep, and function better—regardless of what the pollen count is doing.

Ready to feel better?
Schedule an appointment with Richmond ENT for an allergy/sinus evaluation and a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms and exposures.

Source: Meiklejohn DA, Tummala N, Lalakea ML. “Climate Change, Allergic Rhinitis, and Sinusitis.” JAMA Insights. Published online December 3, 2025. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.19748.