KARACHI, March 27: A certain surge is reported from across the city regarding incidence of “Urticaria” among people of almost all age groups.

The allergy initially manifests through sudden eruption of nettle-rash soon turn into boils coupled with severe itching in almost all parts of the body. The boils may even blanch if pressed, said Dr Shafiq Asad, a dermatologist at a private health facility.

Growing pollution and lack of awareness besides little importance extended to possible reaction of a wide range of vaccines and antibiotics are some of the major causes of such allergies among the Karachiites.

Condition of many of the patients was registered to turn serious owing to the delay in timely and proper intervention.

Many preferred to approach general practitioners who owing to their limited knowledge of the condition were found administering injections thus, further aggravating the conditions.

Such patients when approached dermatologists, were found to be suffering from severe anaemia with swollen throats and tracheas thus, making breathing difficult for them.

“The option left under such circumstances is the administration of steroids which has its own side effects,” a doctor from the Civil Hospital, Karachi said.

Under the given conditions Karachiites in general have been advised to ensure consumption of freshly cooked and preferably home made meals besides ensuring that vegetables should be carefully washed prior to cooking.

Vegetables cultivated in the city and its suburbs are generally provided with contaminated water, including that discharged from the local tanneries severely polluting the crops, commented Dr Ikram, a general practitioner adding that people were also found to have developed allergies from the same.

All patients being administered penicillin or any antibiotic besides sulphur drugs, particularly Septran, have also been suggested to undertake a drug test as a pre-emptive measure, ascertaining that they are not allergic to it as otherwise situation may get worse.

Urticaria is also said to be caused due to insect bites and people in general and particularly children have been advised not to get too close to bushes and plants besides ensuring proper hygienic conditions in their respective surroundings.—APP