Patients with respiratory allergies have increased after Diwali in Bengaluru. According to the doctors, people have been experiencing symptoms of running nose, nose block, cough and difficulty in breathing.
Bengaluru, Nov 11: Paridhi Jain
According to allergy specialists, allergic rhinitis has increased by 20 percent and allergic bronchitis by 15 to 20 percent in Bengaluru since June 2021. Outpatient wards of hospitals like Kempegowda medical institute are getting at least 30 to 50 allergic cases per day.
According to publication by Indian Institute of Science, air pollution is a significant factor contributing to allergies. Other allergens also include pollen from parthenium plant and dust mite. According to Karnataka State pollution control board (KSPCB) air Quality in the city after Diwali, hit the poor category of 300 way above the normal levels.
Nivedita C.S, a local resident of Jayanagar has been a patient of allergic rhinitis for four years. She has been taking antihistamines and now has switched over to home remedies. She says, ‘’I have allergic rhinitis for four years and it has increased for two years. I get running nose, sneezing and sometimes rashes on my skin. I was in China earlier. Since I shifted to Bengaluru my symptoms have aggravated.”
According to doctors from Kempegowda institute of medical science, patients with existing allergies became more vulnerable after Diwali. Bengaluru is the allergy capital of India with pollen in air and pollution adds to the problem. As per KSPCB, air pollution in Bengaluru is caused due to vehicular and construction dust.
Professor Krishna Raj from Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru has been working on air quality and its economics. According to him, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and respiratory suspended particulate matter (RSPM) are major pollutants.
He says, “SPM and RSPM levels are behind the reference’s levels of KSPCB and its effects can be seen all around Bengaluru. Areas like Yaswanthpur, Peenya, majestic, Mysuru road have high levels of PM.”
Dr Giriyanna Gowda is an allergy and asthma specialist and has been seeing patients in KIMS hospitals. According to him, “We have seen a 15 to 20 percent increase and exacerbation in rhinitis and bronchitis after Diwali in last 10 days post Diwali compared to last year.”
According to specialists, there are both medical and environmental solutions for the declining air quality in Bengaluru.
According to Krishna Raj, “Diesel engines are to be banned and not allowed to enter residential areas. Construction activities in some places also should be regulated. More importantly we need to have more trees and parks, which can regulate pollution.”
Dr Gowda highlighted the importance of an early diagnosis and a healthy lifestyle. He advises people to avoid allergic deterrents and take immunotherapy as a vaccination for allergic rhinitis. These solutions will surely help fight the problem.
