The prevalence of pollen allergies in North America has been increasing
over the past few decades – particularly in Ontario
by HENRY HENGEVELD
For most of us, the burst of blossoms that arrives with the onset of spring is a welcome relief from the doldrums of winter.
However, for about 7.5 million Canadians, it also marks the start of a season of misery. They begin to sneeze and wheeze, and often end up with puffy, weepy and itchy eyes. In some cases it can also trigger or significantly exasperate problems with asthma. For these sufferers, the blossoms indicate that allergic rhinitis or “hay fever” season has begun.