Vocational School of Justice
WATCH OUT FOR ALLERGY SEASON!
WATCH OUT FOR ALLERGY SEASON!
With the spring arriving, the allergy season is also knocking on our door. Based on World Health Organization statistics, more than 20% of world population suffers from allergic diseases. The experts stated that the prevalence of allergies increased lately and due to combining with environmental allergens such as pollens, pet dander, and global climate change had an influence on that.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Ersil Soysal, Lecturer at IUE Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, stated that the body’s own immune system causes allergic reactions to harmless substances. It mistakes these innocuous allergens for a serious threat and attacks them. “Allergic asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, milk allergies, drug allergies, dust mite, pollen, pet dander, and mold allergies are strikingly high. Individuals with allergies and allergic diseases in their family are more prone to developing asthma. Even though allergic asthma can be seen in any age group, it is more common for people under the age of 40 to experience 75-90% of the symptoms. Breathing smoke, dust, fumes, pollens, perfumes, irritant gases, pet dander, and mold is the common triggers of allergic asthma,” said Soysal.
‘Ways to prevent allergies’
Allergic diseases caused loss of workforce and many discomfort, said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soysal, and she warned about consuming citrus fruits, shellfish, tomatoes, strawberries, eggs, potatoes, vinegar and all convenience foods carefully as they might trigger allergic diseases. Soysal stated the following:
“Avoiding your allergens is the best way to prevent an allergic reaction. Precautions to decrease the allergy should be taken. For example, gloves, masks, hats, sunglasses might be used to decrease contact with allergens. If the allergen is in the form of a gas, make sure to air out the room, house regularly. Remove all kinds of carpets and furniture that may cause dust. Use cleaning materials for dust mites. It is also important for medical employees to go through periodical checks as they enter medical facilities.”