Low immunity is seen to be the key cause of allergic disorders in the 10 per cent of population, noted ENT specialists representing both government and corporate hospitals in Bengaluru.

In the wake of increased self medication, there are concerns for ENT specialists on the lack of awareness, inhibition to use intranasal corticosteroids and the incurable nature of the disease which promotes lack of adherence to therapy.

In India, one in two people exhibit an allergic response to some common environmental factor. Allergic rhinitis (AR) accounts for 55 per cent of all allergies and hay fever.

Around 44. 5 per cent of the allergic symptoms occur during monsoons and 40.7 per cent during post-monsoons. Particularly Bengaluru, is suspected to have an allergen profile. The most common airborne allergens reported were Parthenium weed pollen and dust mites. In fact, allergy to Parthenium pollen is reported in 3.4 per cent patients suffering from AR in the city.

Quoting reports on AR incidence, the ENT specialists pointed out that it was the most common allergy encountered in clinical practice. It affected 500 million globally and 80 per cent of the cases developed before age of 20. India ranked amongst the top 10 countries reporting highest AR prevalence.

According to Dr. H S Satish, head, Department of ENT, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute and Victoria Hospital, the body’s defence system needs to fight diseases. AR is an allergy that affects the nose. The symptoms occur when one breathes dust, animal dander or pollen grains. The immune system needs to recognise this enemy and attack it.

Dr. E V Raman, Senior Consultant ENT Surgeon,  Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru noted that a rising prevalence of AR is reported in both children and adults. Interestingly, in childhood, male gender is more susceptible Although AR prevalence declines with age, it is a health concern in older adults. More over when AR left untreated results in asthma. Many patients who seek medical advice for asthma are unaware that they could be suffering from AR as well. In such scenarios, treating AR helps to control severity of asthma attacks.

Although AR is not life threatening it could hamper daily activities considerably. Therefore there is need to consult a doctor to treat it symptomatically to control and treat it. A common medication prescribed is a nasal spray with intranasal corticosteroids which needs to be taken under medical advice. Therefore the ENT experts have called for early diagnosis to ensure that though AR is tolerable compared to other diseases, it needs prescribed medication.