Take precautions against dust allergies this summer
VISIT A DOCTOR IF COLD-LIKE SYMPTOMS PERSIST BEYOND A WEEK, DOCTORS SAY
his month, the UAE’s sweltering summer heat has been accompanied by sandstorms and ambient dust in the air, and doctors are therefore urging residents with allergies to take adequate precautions.
In addition to staying inside as much as possible during sandstorms, residents who suffer from allergies can benefit from keeping their homes dust-free and using air purifiers with high-efficiency filters.
“It is easy to mistake the symptoms of an allergy for a common cold. But if you notice that symptoms, like nasal congestion, sneezing, breathing difficulties and throat and skin itchiness persist beyond a week, it is best to see a doctor to determine if you are indeed allergic to ambient dust or mould,” Dr Beuchra Alzoabi, general practitioner at the HealthPlus Family Centre in Abu Dhabi.
Allergies should be treated to prevent the development of more severe conditions like asthma, especially as they can build up over time, said Dr Ali Akbar, a dermatologist at the Canadian Specialist Hospital in Dubai.
According to recent reports, one-fifth of the UAE population suffers from allergies, and specialists suspect that the number is constantly on the rise.
During the summer months, allergic rhinitis, which is triggered by dust and mould in the air, tends to become a common complaint.
In patients, the immune system perceives a generally harmless substance like dust, mould or pollen to be foreign and dangerous, and produces antibodies to attack it. This leads to the commonly seen allergic symptoms.
“At least 20 per cent of my patients suffer from allergic rhinitis, and the best solution is for them to stay away from the allergen.
“Many also find that using air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air filters, or vacuuming regularly with machines that have these filters, helps reduce the severity of their allergic symptoms,” Dr Alzoabi said.
People with severe allergies can develop intense symptoms, such as abnormal and difficult breathing, chest tightness, anxiety, swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue, and an elevated heart rate. In turn, these symptoms can lead to loss of consciousness, or become life-threatening.
“If you experience any of these symptoms, it is best to consult your physician immediately,” Dr Akbar advised.
Doctors also advise residents to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or damp cloth when going outside in order to reduce exposure to dust particles.
In addition, a blood test or skin prick test is recommended to determine exactly what a patient is allergic to.
“If a person is allergic to something, the risk of his or her children developing the allergy is heightened by 40 per cent,” Dr Alzoabi explained.
“[At any rate], once the allergen causing the allergy is determined using medical tests and an analysis of family history, medication can be prescribed to control the symptoms in a patient,” Dr Akbar added.