Vocational School of Justice
ALLERGY SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
The allergy season is knocking on our door with the arrival of the spring. Based on World Health Organization statistics, more than 20% of the world’s population suffers from allergy which causes symptoms such as itchiness, sneeze, runny or stuffy nose, cough, or itchy throat. The experts stated that the prevalence of allergies increased lately, and combining with environmental allergens such as pollens, pet dander, foods, heat, moisture, wind, and pressure, and global climate change had an influence on that.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dilek Ersil Soysal, Lecturer, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), stated that an allergy was a heightened sensitivity to a foreign substance, called an allergen (entered through respiration, food, and medicine) that causes the body's defense system (the immune system) to overreact when defending itself. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Soysal said, “The increase of allergens also increases the prevalence of allergic diseases. Wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath is the most common symptoms that occur at night time. 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 are the common triggers of allergic asthma”.
Allergic diseases caused loss of workforce, 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, who recommended using protective products such as gloves, masks, sunglasses, said, “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. It is also important for employees to go through periodical checks as they enter workplaces.”