Timely treatment for allergies important, cautions doctor

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Timely treatment for allergies important, cautions doctor

A 2011 study found that a tenth of the world’s 400 million nasal allergy sufferers live in the Middle East.

By Staff Reporter

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Published: Thu 20 Nov 2014, 9:14 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 8:58 PM

Supplied photo

Supplied photo

Dubai: Up to one fifth of the country’s population may have allergies, said a top health official.

Dr Hussain Hattawi, the Head of Dubai Hospital’s immunology unit highlighted during the DHA’s smart clinic held on Thursday, that people need to be aware of the symptom’s, that cause allergies so that they can treat them on time.

Dr Hattawi said in 2013, that the unit treated approximately 800 patients, majority of patients had allergies and few were treated for immunodeficiencies. The top three types of allergies that the clinic receives are allergic rhinitis, urticarial (mosquito-bite like symptoms) and food allergies.

A 2011 study found that a tenth of the world’s 400 million nasal allergy sufferers live in the Middle East.

He said that the reason for a high prevalence of nasal allergies including allergic rhinitis is the genetic predisposition and environmental factors.

Environmental factors include both the indoor and outdoor factors. Dust mites, pets or in some cases cockroaches are indoor allergens while grass and tree pollens are outdoor allergens. Coastal areas have a high prevalence of dust mites due to humidity. Other outdoor irritants like pollution and construction, do not directly cause allergies but aggravate the symptoms in people who already have them.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com


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