Scott Commins, MD, PhD, discussed the rising impact of climate change on allergy prevalence at AAAAI 2025. He noted that increased pollen and tick-related allergies, such as pollen food syndrome and alpha-gal syndrome, are becoming more common due to environmental changes. Changes in deer populations related to warmer winters are contributing to the spread of ticks and, consequently, these allergies.
Scott Commins, MD, PhD, highlighted at AAAAI 2025 that climate change is leading to an increase in pollen and tick-related allergies. During the annual meeting, experts raised concerns over rising pollen counts and their impact on public health. Commins pointed out that as climate change continues to contribute to elevated pollen levels, it may result in heightened allergies, particularly via a phenomenon called pollen food syndrome.
He remarked, “One of the effects of that is something we call pollen food syndrome,” indicating a direct link between increasing pollen allergies and rising food allergies due to cross-reactivity. In addition to pollen-associated allergies, the prevalence of alpha-gal syndrome, a meat allergy related to tick bites, has surged.If from climate change.
Commins also explained that warmer winters have caused deer populations to expand geographically, which increases the prevalence of ticks in new areas. As a result, more people are susceptible to alpha-gal syndrome. The phenomenon is not limited to the United States, as regions in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia are also experiencing a rise in ticks and related allergies.
He emphasized, “The intersection of environmental changes and allergies really seems to be something that is increasing in awareness and diagnosis.” Commins urged healthcare providers to remain vigilant for unusual allergy cases, including eczema, food allergies, and alpha-gal syndrome, which may have become more common due to environmental shifts.
The presentation by Scott Commins at AAAAI 2025 underscores how climate change is exacerbating allergy prevalence, with a notable rise in both pollen-induced allergies and tick-related alpha-gal syndrome. The health implications are significant, as changing ecological patterns facilitate the spread of allergens. Heightened awareness among healthcare providers is crucial for improving diagnosis and management of these emerging allergy issues in the context of climate change.
Original Source: www.hcplive.com
