The Effects of Climate Change on Allergens

Genetics probably play a role about 30% of the time the environment about 70%. But on top of the genes, there is this other field called epigenetics that we should talk about because as you get exposed to the environment, you can actually change your genes. So climate change is definitely affecting asthma and allergic rhinitis. In addition, climate is affecting our skin like wildfire smoke due to global warming. That smoke itself irritates the skin, causes breakdown, and that's where we're seeing an increased chance of food allergy. The other aspect to our world in the facing climate are extreme conditions that lead to vector-borne diseases. And those diseases, even though they're not directly associated