KARACHI, Jan 31: Doctors have appealed to people to ensure protection against allergens triggering varied ailments among vulnerable individuals. The chairperson paediatric department of Lyari General Hospital, Dr Ayesha Mehnaz, said there were several agents which provoke allergic reactions. These, she said, ranged from food items to certain drugs and chemicals as insecticides, detergents besides several other commonly used products (prepared without adherence to quality standards). Dust mites and insect sting could also lead to allergy, she said.
“It is essential to remember that factors triggering allergic reactions can be controlled or at least their chances can be minimised,” the senior paediatrician said.
She said allergic reaction in certain instances could be due to genetic predilection.
More than 10 million people in Pakistan reportedly suffer from allergic disorder and though exact incidence of allergic disorder is not known around 10 per cent to 15 per cent are found to be either asthmatic or afflicted with one or the other allergic disorder.
“The commonly seen allergic disorder in our day to day practice are asthma, allergic rhinitis or running nose, sinusitis, sneezing, eczema, urticaria, contact dermatitis,” Dr Zaka Hussain said.
Doctors mentioned that food allergies were among common causes of allergic disorder. Cold drinks and ice-creams or some times sour and spicy food could also trigger allergic reactions. Preservative in different tinned foods could be the cause of allergies - these were besides allergies to food items containing protein - the latter may have a genetic predilection.
Dr Ayesha in this regard mentioned that drugs were more often a cause of allergic reaction adding that poly-therapeutic that is prescription of many medicines and which at the same time are prevalent in our country often result in allergic reactions.
She said many of the face whitening creams and locally made body lotions are common cause of allergic reactions among adolescents.
“Cigarette smoking by adults is a common risk factor for asthma in children who are exposed to passive smoking,” Dr Zaka Hussain said.
It was mentioned that the most common allergic disorder seen in children was asthma, a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disorder in which small airways become swollen and obstructed with secretions.
Kids exposed to a number of triggering factors, particularly dust mite or animal fur, could easily contract asthma causing cough, wheezing, difficult breathing and tightening of chest. “Avoidance of allergens is key to management of allergic disorders,” Dr Ayesha Mehnaz said.
It was underscored that not only smoking be avoided but kids as well as adults, who may not necessarily be asthmatic but allergic to chemicals, must be kept away during insecticide spray and application of perfumes.—APP