Source: Health Client of People's Daily

Original Link：https://m.peopledailyhealth.com/articleDetailShare?articleId=6a546549141347a99e5822347f49ca3e&_t=1756371986641 

Stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy eyes… Since the Start of Autumn, the incidence of weed pollen allergy has risen markedly. Why has this year’s autumn allergy season arrived so early? Why is autumn allergy more severe than spring allergy? On August 27, a reporter from the Health Client of People's Daily conducted an exclusive interview with Professor Cheng Lei, Chairman of the Allergy Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and Director of the Allergy Diagnosis and Treatment Center (WHO Collaborating Centre of Excellence for Allergy) at Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, who provided answers to the above questions. 

What Are the Characteristics of This Year’s Autumn Allergy Season? How Does It Differ from Previous Years?

This year’s autumn allergy season has arrived earlier than usual in northern China and other regions. Take Beijing as an example: monitoring data from the Beijing Meteorological Service Center shows that the city’s autumn pollen season has started ahead of schedule, with the concentration of allergenic pollen rising continuously. The peak period is expected to occur from late August to late September. According to meteorological authorities, the earlier start of this year’s autumn pollen season may be linked to the abnormally high temperatures and abundant rainfall in the early stage. The warm and humid environment has acted like a booster for plants, making them grow more vigorously and bloom earlier, which has caused pollen concentrations to reach their peak ahead of time. 

Why Is Autumn Allergy More Severe Than Spring Allergy?

For one thing, allergenic pollen dispersal in autumn lasts longer and reaches a higher peak. Spring allergies are generally concentrated in the period when trees turn green, with a relatively short duration. In contrast, autumn allergies start before the Start of Autumn and can last until late autumn or even early winter. In northern regions in particular, people may be exposed to high pollen concentrations for nearly a month and a half, leading to more severe symptoms.

For another, autumn features a greater variety of allergenic pollen with a wider distribution range. Pollen in spring is mostly from trees, with larger particles that often fall to the ground and only trigger allergies when blown up by the wind and inhaled. The main sources of airborne allergens in autumn include Artemisia (e.g., Artemisia annua), Chenopodiaceae (e.g., Chenopodium album), Ambrosia (e.g., Ambrosia artemisiifolia), and Humulus scandens pollen. These particles have a smaller diameter, enabling them to travel farther and spread faster, thus having a stronger allergenic effect. 

Can Mood Swings and Mental Stress Trigger Allergies?

Physiologically, when a person is in a negative emotional state—such as prolonged anxiety, stress, or depression—the body undergoes a series of neuroendocrine changes. These changes may impair immune system function, leading to immune imbalance. This type of allergy, known as emotional allergy, is a psychosomatic disorder closely associated with stress and mood.

Take skin rashes as an example: when negative emotions like anger and repression cause overexcitation of the sympathetic nervous system, a large number of neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in the skin are released. These substances stimulate the rupture of mast cell membranes, releasing allergic mediators such as histamine and serotonin. These mediators not only cause symptoms like pain in the human body but also irritate the skin, leading to adverse reactions such as papules and erythema.

Emotional allergies are often accompanied by unhealthy living habits, such as excessive drinking, smoking, or overeating. All these habits negatively impact the body’s immune function and increase the risk of allergies. Unlike ordinary allergies, however, emotional allergies change with mood fluctuations. When various sources of stress and negative emotions are alleviated, allergic symptoms may also subside. 

Are There Regional Differences in Allergies Between Northern and Southern China? How to Cope with Them?

There are distinct differences in autumn allergies between northern and southern China: autumn weed pollen is the primary allergen in northern regions, while dust mites and mold are the main culprits in the south. In large northern areas north of the Yellow River—including Northeast, North, and Northwest China—weed pollen is diverse, densely distributed, and released in large quantities, with some areas being severe pollen-affected zones.

In contrast, the hot and humid summer climate in southern China leads to a rapid reproduction of dust mites and mold, with their concentrations surging in indoor environments, making them the main triggers of allergies. However, this high-humidity climate also prevents dust-like allergens such as pollen from spreading widely in the air, reducing the likelihood of large-scale outbreaks of seasonal allergic diseases. Therefore, although southern China has a high concentration of dust mites, large-scale seasonal allergy outbreaks like those in the north are relatively rare. 

Can Keeping Pets Worsen Allergic Reactions?

Pet allergies have become increasingly common in cities in recent years. A growing number of patients seeking medical treatment for allergies are now affected by pet-related allergies. The real culprit of pet allergies is not pet fur, but specific proteins hidden in pet dander, saliva, and urine. These proteins, secreted by pet sebaceous glands, are the primary cause of allergic reactions. Dander and fur that fall on floors, sofas, and beds are the main carriers of these allergens, while saliva, urine, and feces can also trigger contact allergies. For example, red, swollen, and itchy skin after being licked by a cat is a typical symptom.

Therefore, people with an allergic constitution should avoid keeping pets as much as possible, or take corresponding measures to reduce exposure to allergens—such as strengthening household hygiene management or feeding pets hypoallergenic food. 

Can Allergies Be Cured Completely? What Methods Relieve Symptoms?

Allergic rhinitis cannot be completely cured at present, but its symptoms can be effectively controlled and quality of life significantly improved through standardized treatment and scientific management. Most patients can achieve long-term symptom relief after systematic intervention. In daily life, avoiding allergies involves three key steps:

Step 1: Avoid exposure

Stay away from direct contact with pollen sources. Pay close attention to pollen concentration and weather changes, and try to avoid going out during peak pollen hours (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Step 2: Take protective measures

Strengthen personal health protection to prevent pollen from entering the home. When going out, wear well-sealed masks, nasal filters, goggles, and other protective gear to reduce pollen exposure.

Step 3: Seek medical treatment

Use medication under professional guidance. There are many drugs available for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, but it is important to be wary of unlicensed folk remedies. Choose regular hospitals and pharmacies, and take medication in a standardized manner under the guidance of professional doctors or pharmacists. 

In terms of allergy treatment, there are two main approaches: medication therapy and immunotherapy (desensitization therapy). Traditional medication therapy relieves symptoms through the action of various antiallergic drugs. For patients with moderate to severe allergic rhinitis whose daily work, study, and life are severely affected, innovative medication therapies—such as domestic monoclonal antibody biologics—can be tried on the basis of conventional treatment in clinical practice. Desensitization therapy helps the human body rebuild immune tolerance through specific methods, reducing sensitivity to allergens and enabling patients to gradually overcome their allergic state. It has become increasingly known and accepted by patients in recent years and must be conducted under the guidance of a specialist.