Dubai A new allergy clinic in town has said dust mites contribute to 30 per cent of all inhalant allergy cases it handles, with cockroaches adding to another 10 per cent.
Dr Hussain Hattawi, Consultant and Head of Immunology at Dubai Hospital, which houses the clinic, said: “Dust mites are eight-legged creatures which cannot be seen by the naked eye. They feed on dust wherever it collects. When they proliferate and live there, the enzymes they use to digest the dust are what we become allergic to.”
Similarly, other inhalant allergies develop subtly. “You don’t have to have cockroaches in your house to be allergic to them. They live in the drainage system in large numbers and are difficult to control. We could be directly or indirectly exposed to roach protein as there is invariably some exchange of air between the drainage system and our washrooms.”
He said all inhalant allergies — whether from dust mites, cockroaches, grass, feathers, mould or cat allergies — have the same symptoms: blocked and runny noses, sneezing, wheezing, cough and red and itchy eyes.
“Fifty per cent of patients with rhinitis test negative for known inhalant allergies. So it is important to have a complete history of genetic and environmental factors. We advise patients to be observant and vigilant about their environment and movements in order to make links and form suspicions.”
Typically, the allergy clinic conducts a skin prick test in which droplets of different allergen extracts are put on the skin following which it is pricked with a sterile needle. “The results come out after 20 minutes. If there is an allergy to a particular allergen, there is a swelling in that area. The bigger the swelling, the greater the allergy.”
Dr Hattawi said once the allergen is identified, avoidance measures are adopted. “You must try to minimise exposure to such sources. “Patients are also given nasal steroids and antihistamines. If all of this fails, immune-therapy is given in which the allergen is introduced into the body through monthly injections or through a spray under the tongue. The treatment could go on for three-five years until the body becomes immune to the substance.
Dr Hattawi said other common allergies in the UAE include urticaria and the samsum or black ant allergy.
“In extreme cases of samsum allergy, patients develop anaphylactic shock which could be life-threatening. Some fatalities have also been reported in the UAE in the past.”
He said the prevalence of people suffering from allergies is known to be increasing worldwide and the UAE is no exception.
HOW TO PREVENT ALLERGIES
Dust surfaces, wash linen, curtains, cushions regularly. Avoid mats and carpets. Use vacuum cleaner wherever possible.
Avoid pets with feathers and fur if you have feather allergies.
Use air filters to keep pollen out. Service air-conditioner regularly to change the filter. Mould spores grow in moist areas, so clean mouldy surfaces.
Try staying indoors on windy and humid days. Wear face mask when you are out.
Keep car windows closed when travelling.
Shower when you come home after a long day, wash hands regularly.
Observe your environment closely to make links and form suspicions.
