New EAACI guidelines: Climate change and pollen are becoming major drivers of allergy and asthma growth

Allergic respiratory diseases have become increasingly common worldwide in recent decades. Scientists attribute this increase not only to genetic predisposition but also to environmental changes: rising temperatures, changing plant flowering seasons, increased concentrations of allergenic pollen in the air, and deteriorating air quality. New guidelines from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) have systematized scientific evidence on the impact of pollen on allergic rhinitis and asthma and proposed public health measures to reduce the risk.

The document “EAACI Guidelines on Environmental Science for Allergy and Asthma-Evidence-Based Recommendations for Prevention and Public Health Action to Mitigate the Impact of Pollen Exposure on Respiratory Allergy” was published in the journal Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2026. International experts in the fields of allergology, immunology, climatology, aerobiology, and public health participated in the work.

The authors emphasize that the problem of allergies extends far beyond individual illness. The increasing number of people with allergic rhinitis and asthma places additional strain on healthcare systems, increases treatment costs, and reduces the quality of life for millions of patients. Children, the elderly, and patients with pre-existing asthma are particularly vulnerable.

The main idea behind the new guidelines is to shift from treating the consequences of allergies to prevention. Experts believe it's essential to consider environmental exposure even before symptoms appear: predict pollen seasons, improve air quality, adapt urban planning, and use personalized patient protection strategies.

Key points of the new EAACI recommendations

Direction	Main conclusion
The main factor	Increased exposure to allergenic pollen
The main reason for the worsening of the problem	Climate change
Main diseases	Allergic rhinitis and asthma
Vulnerable groups	Children, the elderly, patients with asthma
The basic approach	Prevention + personalized protection
Organization	European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
DOI	10.1111/all.70423

[1]

Why Allergies Are Rising: The Role of Climate Change

One of the main factors considered by the recommendations' authors is global climate change. Rising average temperatures are altering plant life cycles: many species begin flowering earlier, the flowering period becomes longer, and the amount of pollen produced increases.

For people with allergies, this means a longer symptom season. While flare-ups previously only occurred for a few weeks in the spring or summer, today, for many patients, the period of exposure to allergens can last significantly longer. This is especially true for allergies to trees, grasses, and weeds.

Climate change affects not only the length of the pollen season but also its properties. Research shows that stressful environmental conditions, including rising carbon dioxide levels, can alter the amount of allergenic proteins in pollen. As a result, even the same amount of pollen in the air can trigger a stronger immune response.

Furthermore, changes in temperature and humidity influence the spread of new plants into regions where they were previously uncommon. This leads to the emergence of new allergens among populations previously unexposed to such plants.

How does climate affect allergies?

Environmental change	Consequence
Temperature increase	Earlier flowering
Extending the plant season	Longer exposure to allergens
Rising CO₂ concentrations	Possible increase in pollen production
Spread of new plants	The emergence of new allergens
Change in humidity	Changes in the distribution of spores and pollen
Extreme weather	Possible outbreaks of severe symptoms

[2]

Pollen not only causes a runny nose, but also becomes a risk factor for asthma.

Many patients perceive allergic rhinitis as an unpleasant but relatively harmless condition. However, EAACI specialists emphasize that upper respiratory allergies are closely linked to lower respiratory diseases, particularly asthma.

Exposure of allergenic pollen to mucous membranes triggers a complex immune response. In sensitive individuals, immune cells are activated, inflammatory mediators are released, mucous membranes swell, and mucus production increases. If the bronchi are involved, this can lead to asthma attacks.

Periods of sharp increases in pollen concentrations are particularly dangerous. Such "pollen peaks" can lead to widespread deterioration in patients' conditions and increased medical visits. The authors of the recommendations specifically address the need for pollen monitoring and early warning systems.

Experts also point to the phenomenon of "thunderstorm asthma." Under certain weather conditions, large pollen particles can break down into smaller fragments, which penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract and can trigger severe attacks in susceptible individuals.

The Link Between Pollen and Respiratory Diseases

Impact	Possible outcome
Allergenic pollen	Activation of the immune response
Inflammation of the nasal mucosa	Allergic rhinitis
Spread of inflammation to the bronchi	Symptoms of asthma
High pollen concentrations	Exacerbation of diseases
Thunderstorms	Risk of severe attacks

[3]

New strategy: not just drugs, but also environmental control

Traditionally, allergy treatment has focused on medications: antihistamines, inhalers, nasal sprays, and allergen-specific immunotherapy. The new EAACI guidelines propose expanding this approach to include environmental management.

Pollen monitoring systems are becoming a key tool. Modern technologies make it possible to create allergen distribution maps and predict high-risk periods. Such data can help patients proactively adjust their behavior and treatment.

Experts recommend developing digital platforms that integrate data on pollen counts, weather, air quality, and individual sensitivity. In the future, such systems could become part of personalized allergy prevention.

Another area of focus is urban environmental change. The choice of plants for urban landscaping can impact the population's allergen load. The authors of the document believe it is essential to consider allergy risks when planning parks, streets, and public spaces.

Preventive measures proposed by EAACI

Measure	Target
Pollen monitoring	Patient Warning
Seasonal forecasting	Preparing for treatment in advance
Air quality control	Reducing respiratory irritation
Allergy-safe landscaping	Reducing the allergen load
Personalized recommendations	Protecting the most vulnerable people
Education of the population	Improving disease control

[4]

Personalized allergology

One of the document's key findings is the shift from universal recommendations to an individualized approach. Allergy is not a single disease, but a group of conditions that vary based on the allergens, severity of symptoms, patient age, and underlying medical conditions.

For example, one person may react to birch pollen only for a few weeks a year, while another may experience a long season of symptoms due to a combination of multiple allergens. Therefore, providing the same recommendations for all patients becomes ineffective.

EAACI recommends taking into account individual sensitization profiles, living conditions, occupational factors, and air pollution levels. This approach will allow for more accurate selection of the timing of preventive treatment and protective measures.

Particular attention is paid to children. Early exposure to allergens, air quality, and environmental factors can influence the development of allergic diseases later in life. Therefore, preventive measures should begin long before severe symptoms appear.

What does a personalized approach include?

Factor	Why is it important?
Allergen type	Determines the treatment tactics
Geography of residence	Changes the level of impact
Age	Affects the risk of developing diseases
Presence of asthma	Determines the severity of the consequences
Air quality	May increase symptoms
Individual sensitivity	Determines the level of risk

[5]

What patients can do now

Although the new recommendations are primarily aimed at healthcare systems and public programs, many measures are already available. Experts advise patients to monitor pollen forecasts, limit outdoor time during peak allergen periods, and use prescribed medications correctly.

During pollen season, it's recommended to ventilate indoor spaces during periods of low pollen counts, use air filtration, shower after being outdoors, and remove allergens from clothing. These measures won't eliminate allergies, but they can reduce the strain on the immune system.

It's especially important for asthma patients to have a personalized action plan for when their condition worsens. Periods of high pollen counts may require more careful symptom monitoring and timely treatment adjustments in consultation with a doctor.

The authors emphasize that it is impossible to completely avoid contact with pollen. The main goal of modern allergology is not to isolate people from the environment, but to make interaction with it safer.

Practical recommendations

Action	Benefit
Keeping track of the pollen calendar	Prepare for the season in advance
Use prescribed medications	Control inflammation
Limit time outdoors during peak hours	Reduce contact
Rinse your nose after being outside	Reduce the number of allergens
Control asthma	Prevent severe attacks
Use air filtration	Reduce indoor exposure

[6]

The main conclusion: the fight against allergies is becoming part of climate medicine

New EAACI guidelines demonstrate that allergic diseases can no longer be viewed solely as an individual immune response. Their prevalence is increasingly influenced by global environmental changes.

Climate change, the extension of the pollen season, and the changing composition of allergens require new strategies that integrate medicine, ecology, urban planning, and forecasting technologies.

The main goal of the future is to create a system in which patients receive a warning about the risk even before a severe exacerbation begins, and cities and the environment become less dangerous for people with allergies.

EAACI experts believe that prevention should be as important a focus in allergology as diagnosis and treatment. Only a comprehensive approach will halt the further rise in allergic diseases in a changing climate.

Key findings

Conclusion	Meaning
Climate affects allergies	Yes
Pollen seasons are getting longer	Yes
Pollen linked to asthma risk	Yes
Environmental control is needed	Yes
The future of allergology	Personalized prevention

[7]

News source

Main publication:

Cecchi L., Annesi-Maesano I., Biagioni B., Chung KF, Clot B., D'Amato G. et al. “EAACI Guidelines on Environmental Science for Allergy and Asthma-Evidence-Based Recommendations for Prevention and Public Health Action to Mitigate the Impact of Pollen Exposure on Respiratory Allergy.” Allergy: European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2026. DOI: 10.1111/all.70423.

The paper presents evidence-based recommendations from the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology to reduce the impact of pollen on allergic rhinitis and asthma, taking into account climate change, air quality and the need for preventive public health strategies.