Allergy

Pollens are small particles shed from the male species of certain plants, which travel to the female species to produce seeds. Some pollens grains, which can be seen in the center of a beautiful flower, are yellow and sticky are carried by the bodies of the insects, but some pollen grains are very light, and carried by the wind. Such small pollen grains, while flying in air, may enter the breathing passages (nose and throat) of a person, and cause an allergic reaction. These generally come from bushes and trees, whose flowers are not usually seen.

Not all pollen grains cause allergy, and not all persons are affected either. Persons who have inherited a tendency to develop allergies, or those who are exposed to large quantities pollens, are usually affected more.

In Islamabad, there is an excess of vegetation, and a lot of wild plants which produce their pollens, at different times of the year, usually from early springs till late autumn. However there is a peak of pollen allergies in spring, and in late summer.

Pollen allergies also occur in other parts of Pakistan and, in fact, all over the world, in different seasons, and with different intensities

Symptoms Of Allergy

  A patient with Pollen Allergy may suffer fromany or all of the following complaints:

1. Running Nose and Sneezing.
2. Difficulty in breathing, Tightness in the chest or Asthma with wheezing.
3. Cough and a discharge from the back of the nose in to the throat  (Post-nasal Drip).
4. Red and Itchy Eyes.
5. Itching on the Skin.

Treatment

The best way to treat allergy is to avoid the substance which cause it. However , if complete avoidance is not possible , only then is medical treatment recommended and required.

Preventive medicines: Certain medicines help to prevent an attack of allergy before it starts. These are available as tablets, syrups and sprays. These have to be started well before the allergy season, and continued till after the season finishes. Although of varying benefit in prevention, these medicines have little use in the treatment of an allergy attack, once it starts.

Curative medicines: These are commonly known as anti-histamines, as they act against histamine, which is a substance produced in the body, responsible for an allergy episode. These can be started before the season, and are especially effective in controlling an attack of allergy. Available as tablets, syrups or injections, these can be short acting in effect (requiring dosage every few hours), to longer acting, which have to be taken only once or twice daily. The long acting anti-allergics are safer, non-sedating and do not react with other drugs.

Allergy Vaccines

Immunotherapy (Allergy Vaccines) is an internationally recognized effective form of treatment for respiratory and certain other types of allergies, where avoidance of the allergen is not possible, or where the allergy may be life-threatening. This is most beneficial and safe when it is done properly by a qualified and experienced specialist, and confers long term protection from the particular allergy causing substance.

Unfortunately, this form of treatment has gained a considerably bad reputation in Pakistan, because it is either not done properly or by untrained doctors.

First of all, the exact cause of the allergy has to be ascertained. This is done by allergy tests. Allergy tests. Allergy tests often comprise of series of small skin pricks in which a very concentrated form of an extract of the pollen and other substance thought to be causing the allergy, is injected into the skin. As this is very concentrated, even skin testing itself can make the patients condition worse.

 Hence as recommended by the World Health Organization, allergy testing should NEVER be done when the patient is suffering.

After thoroughly testing for allergy, if required, allergy vaccines may be tried for the treatment of the allergies. These have to be prepared specifically for each and every patient individually. It is only then that the vaccines are effective and safe.

Vaccines are beneficial only after 2 or 3 courses, and the seasons often over by then, hence patients should avoid starting any new allergy vaccines for any pollen in its season.

Remember that allergy vaccines should never be used as the first line of treatment. They will not benefit the patient at all during an attack, in fact may even make it worse.

Seasons
There many types of allergies but some are ought to be discussed in details. These allergies are being discussed region-wise.