According to recent reports of World Health Organisation, there are nearly 1,80,000 people are killed by asthma, which also affect more than 150 million people in the world every year. About $ 20 billion is spent globally each year on allergic rhinitis. The cost of allergy drugs is estimated to be around $ 8 billion per annum.
In this wake, Dr Mukesh Batra, CMD of Dr Batra's Positive Health Clinic, Mumbai, shared information with Pharmabiz. Dr Batra says that the prevalence of asthma, rhinitis, allergic dermatitis and conjunctivitis was found to be higher in children living in more polluted areas in India. The chances of allergic asthma among children with one parent having history of asthma are 25-30 per cent and these chances go up to 70-75 per cent if both the parents have the history of asthma.
It is estimated that there are about 15-20 million asthmatics in India and more than 20 per cent people suffer from allergic rhinitis in the country. About 80 per cent of asthmatics suffer from allergic rhinitis in India, he says.
On the working of allergens, Dr Batra explained that when an allergen enters the body of a person with a sensitized immune system, histamine and other chemicals are released by certain cells, causing itching, swelling, mucus production, muscle spasms, hives, rashes and other symptoms. Some of the common allergens are chemicals, drugs such as antibiotics, serums, food items such as milk, chocolate, strawberries, wheat, infectious bacteria, viruses and inhalants (such as dust, pollen, perfumes, smoke), physical agents such as heat, light, friction and radiation. Parthinium is reported to be responsible for largest number of airborne contact dermatitis in India.
"We are getting into a pill popping generation because of which there is a substantial rise in allergies as those treatments provide only temporary relief and the symptoms re-occur in a patient. Homeopathy has proven that it has an answer for allergies which is why people should turn to it as a first option and lead a healthy, quality filled life," he added.