Pollen on rise: Change in weather aggravates symptoms of allergy, asthma

ICT plans to set up relief camps at Aabpara for patients

ISLAMABAD: The number of pollen grains increased in the air on Monday to the highest level of this decade since 2010 causing severe symptoms in the patients suffering from allergy and asthma.

Last year the highest count was recorded as 39,857 and in 2010 the count was 42,690.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department recorded pollen count on Monday 41,959 per cubic meter of air in sector H-8/2, highest since 2010. In other sectors it was recorded as 16,784 in E-8, 14,068 in G-6, and 6622 in F-10. Paper Mulberry has the highest presence in the air among all types of pollens.

According to the PMD forecast, there is rain expected on Tuesday and Wednesday with gusty winds but the probability of rain is low in Islamabad. According to officials if it rains with thunder and winds it may give mild relief to the patients suffering from these allergies as it will decrease the intensity of pollen in the air by suppressing the grains and it will decline gradually by the beginning of the coming month. However, if it only rains it will increase after a break and revert back to the previous high levels.

The initial level that affects the patients starts at 1500 pollen count, at this point the reaction still remains relatively mild but after 30,000 it becomes severe and very painful for the patients.

Hundreds of patients have been visiting hospitals for treatment daily, due to the increase in pollen count. Over 5000 patients have visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) for allergy and asthma treatment, according to hospital officials. Daily 200 to 300 patients visit the hospital emergency room with symptoms of breathlessness, runny, itchy, congested nose, irritable, and itchy eyes, ears, throat and palate.

According to officials at Polyclinic Hospital over 1000 patients visited the hospital last day.

While pollen season will end by mid April, the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration is yet to hold its camp for the patients.

Annual Free Pollen Allergy Relief Camp by the ICT Administration at the Aabpara Community Center Islamabad, will start from March 20, 2018. All medication will be provided free of cost to the patients.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 20^th, 2018.