Allergy alert

With deteriorating air quality indoors and out, allergies are not just a spring thing.

No, you’re not imagining it. Global data shows allergies from food to hay fever are on the rise – and not just due to higher awareness resulting in extra diagnoses. We now know that a total of 141 genes are responsible for our risk of developing asthma, eczema and hay fever. Yet it’s women who suffer most.

A 2017 study at the Medical University of Vienna found women are affected by pollen allergies, food allergies and asthma more frequently and severely than men.

It’s all down to our hormones. Until age

10, boys are more allergy-prone. Once oestrogen production ramps up around age 10, girls become more vulnerable. Hormonal treatments such as the contraceptive pill and menopausal hormone therapy also contribute.

Plus, women become more sensitive to environmental pollutants with age.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are also links between mental health and allergies. A 2019 study at the Technical University of Munich found seasonal allergies to grass or tree pollens are more common in those with anxiety disorders. On the other hand, those with depression are more likely to have non-seasonal allergies, such as pets and dust mites.

So what’s the difference between a stuffy nose caused by the common cold and a stuffy nose caused by allergies? The length of time it lingers. The cold virus can cause congestion for three to five days; hay fever (allergic rhinitis) can cause congestion for weeks in pollen season; and persistent allergens such as dust and mould can cause year-round congestion. Other symptoms of allergies include sneezing and itchy eyes.

While we can do little to improve the air quality outside during pollen season or when city air pollution is severe, we can create a more sinus-friendly indoor space. Run a dehumidifier or your air conditioning to prevent mould growth, dust frequently with a damp cloth to prevent mites spreading, and buy low-allergy bedding and wash it regularly. Just remember that one-sided congestion, or congestion that keeps getting worse, can be a sign of something serious, so seek medical advice.