ISLAMABAD: While it is generally believed that allergy season coincides with spring, the start of winter can actually be worse for people suffering from allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), people who are sensitive to pollen “must stay indoors before 10am and after 5pm and if they have to go outdoors they must wear face masks.

“They should take balanced diet, plenty of water and sleep for six to eight hours daily as it increases immunity.

“They should visit their physicians as soon as they find symptoms of allergy. It must not be taken lightly because mild symptoms may suddenly worsen and cause death within 10 minutes.”

The statement said: “Association is very much concerned about the health of the people of north eastern areas of Pakistan and particularly about residents of the federal capital and its periphery areas, who face serious problems at the onset of the change of season, due to the increase of pollen concentration in the air.

“The pollen allergy has been such a serious issue that causes hay fever and creates problem to the people suffering from upper and lower respiratory diseases.”

PMA Secretary General Dr Qaisar Sajjad said hay fever causes cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure.

But unlike a cold, hay fever is not caused by a virus, it is an allergy that people are affected by at the start of winter, he said.

“Pollen is a fine powder from plants. Hay fever is usually worse when the pollen count is high in the atmosphere. Its symptoms are a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, itchy eyes and throat, headache, sneezing and shortness of breath which can be complicated,” he said.

Dr Sajjad, an ears, nose and throat surgeon, told Dawn that hay fever is the most common allergy in Pakistan, affecting 24.6pc of the population.

He said it is a public health problem and the burden of the disease could increase significantly if it is not controlled at the start of the season.

“Hay fever happens when one breathes in something to which one is allergic, and the inside of the nose becomes inflamed and swollen. It is triggered by allergens, and allergens can be found both outdoors and indoors.

“When allergic rhinitis is caused by outdoor allergens, for example mould or trees, grass and weed pollens — it is often referred to as seasonal allergies, or hay fever,” he said.

“Allergic rhinitis may also be triggered by allergens found in the home, such as animal dander, indoor mould or house dust mites. The goal of treatment of allergic rhinitis is to improve a patient’s wellbeing or quality of life,” Dr Sajjad said.

Dr Shahab Qazi, a senior medical officer at the Allergy Centre in Chak Shahzad, said the change in weather brings allergies with it.

“However, this year the winter is very tricky as we are having warm days and cold nights. People are still using cold water and they use air conditioners in their cars during the day. They should start taking precautionary measures or the problem could worsen,” he said.

He added that a large number of patients visit the centre in the winter.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2019