It’s in the air: Pollen allergy awareness campaign launched

Experts say different seasons bring different allergen threats

ISLAMABAD: A pollen allergy awareness drive has been launched in the federal capital to mark the World Health Day observed on April 7.

Shifa International Hospital (SIH) in collaboration with Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) took the initiative to start pollen allergy awareness campaign.

SIH Chief Operating Officer Aziz Ahmed Jan, while talking to the media, said that this initiative represents our continued commitment to providing citizens with world-class medical care in a welcoming environment in Islamabad.



SIH Allergy and Immunology Consultant Dr Athar Niaz Rana said pollination is a seasonal issue, and it is not just the mulberry pollen that causes allergic disease, there are other allergenic pollens too.

There are thousands of allergens and it is interesting to note that mulberry tree alone has 99 varieties.

Dr Rana said different allergy threats come with different seasons.

He said that complete and total avoidance of pollen is impractical. One should keep his windows and doors closed, keep air conditioner on during the day to reduce pollen exposure and try to stay indoors, he told allergy patients.

“Plan your outdoor activity as most plants pollinate between 5 am- 9 am, one should avoid being in the open in this time. I strongly urge that no outdoor exercise should be attempted by those who have serious allergy symptoms from pollens,” said Dr Rana.

He also advised people having issues with pollen grains to avoid being outdoors on windy days as it stirs the pollen in the air. Use a pollen mask when outdoors and try to take two showers a day and change clothes, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2018.