The Allergist Episode 53 – A Clear-Eyed Look at the Red-Eye Culprit

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“Don’t just rely on the textbook definition of when the pollen seasons are. You need to have reliable data to know when the pollen seasons are starting, when they’re ending, and when they’re peaking.”

– Dawn Jurgens

Allergy season may be winding down, but for allergists, the work never really stops. This is the moment between ragweed and winter — a brief respite before the cycle begins again. On this episode, Dr. Mariam Hanna is joined by Dawn Jurgens, Director of Operations and Quality Management at Aerobiology Research Laboratories. She breaks down the science behind pollen and spore counts, why forecasts matter, and how shifting seasons are changing the game for patients and clinicians alike.

In this episode:

  • Pollen potency: Timothy grass is the most common and potent allergen globally, while birch remains the most clinically relevant pollen in Canada. Pine, despite releasing large quantities of pollen, is not highly allergenic.

  • Environmental effects: Pollution and thunderstorms can intensify allergic symptoms by breaking pollen apart and exposing allergenic epitopes, making them more reactive.

  • Cross-reactivity: Shared or conserved epitopes between pollen types can cause cross-reactivity, meaning individuals sensitized to one pollen may also react to related species — or even certain foods.

  • Mold exposure: Mold spores such as Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Basidiospores often peak in the fall and can mimic ragweed season, making them significant triggers during that time.

  • Climate trends: Canada’s pollen seasons are beginning earlier than they did 30 years ago, though the fall season has not yet significantly lengthened.

  • Practical prevention: Simple strategies — such as showering before bed, keeping windows closed, using air filters, brushing pets outdoors, and checking reliable pollen forecasts — can meaningfully reduce exposure and improve symptom control.

Pollen season may be taking a break, but planning for the next wave starts now.

Posted on October 14, 2025.