With the advent of spring in the federal capital, the number of pollen allergy patients has witnessed a dramatic increase in city hospitals and clinics. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital doctors told this scribe that the current pollen patterns indicate that paper mulberry that shed pollen around mid-March in previous years was delayed due to the rainy spell.
As a consequence pollen allergy patients, who used to suffer from mid to end March, are facing a shorter but more intense pollen season this year. Mulberry pollen requires two to five days of sunshine to start flowering.
Polyclinic sources told Business Recorder that between 100 to 120 patients suffering from severe allergy are visiting the hospital daily to be administered nebulizers and oxygen.
"Taking special steps, the Polyclinic administration has deputed 30 extra staff members in the emergency department and has installed over 25 nebulizers in different wards of the hospital to ensure that the patients are treated as soon as they are admitted to the hospital," said an official at Polyclinic.
He said that at present, the hospital's emergency department is treating pollen allergy patients but as soon as the patient count will rise the hospital administration will set up a separate ward for the purpose.
He further said that due to the recent rains, the soil has become soft while spring is almost here, causing the pollen allergy. "In the coming days, the pollen count is expected to rise, as witnessed during the last 20 years in the federal capital in mid-March," he said, adding that patients are treated for a couple of hours before being discharged.
He proposed that the National Institute of Health (NIH) should set up pollen allergy camps in the city, as many citizens are affected by allergies every year. He said the pollen allergy symptoms include sneezing, itching, watery eyes, coughing, difficulty in breathing, wheezing and attacks of asthma.
He said that during periods of high pollen concentration in the air, people with pollen allergy should try to avoid unnecessary exposure to irritants such as dust, insect sprays, tobacco smoke, air pollution and fresh tar or paint.
He warned that any of these irritants could aggravate the allergy and that complications may occur if the patient was not treated in a timely fashion. The Polyclinic spokesman said seasonal allergies could be controlled through medication.
An official at NIH urged allergy sufferers to take the following preventive steps which may be useful during the pollen season: limit outdoor activities when pollen counts are high; keep windows and doors closed during pollen season, this applies to home and vehicle; start taking allergy medicine before pollen season begins as it allows the medicine to prevent your body from releasing histamine and other chemicals that cause symptoms.
Bath and shampoo your hair daily before going to bed. This will remove pollen from your hair and skin and keep it off your bedding. Wash bedding in hot, soapy water once a week. Wear sunglasses and a hat. This will help keep pollen out of your eyes and off your hair. Limit close contact with pets that spend a lot of time outdoors. Keeping pet animals out of the house as their dander can aggravate allergic symptoms.
Change and wash clothes worn during outdoor activities. Dry your clothes in a clothes dryer, not on an outdoor line. Take care of cleanliness and take out carpets and other dust catching linens in the room or if necessary cover with clean clothing. Wear filter masks while going outside and avoid unnecessary travel. Women who have atopic dermatitis should wear gloves while working in the kitchen. People who have eye allergy, i.e. allergic conjunctivitis may use (UV Protected) glasses.
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